Between 2001-19, the New England Patriots under head coach Bill Belichick and with quarterback Tom Brady won a record equalling six Super Bowl titles. In The Dynasty: New England Patriots, a ten part docu-series now showing on Apple TV+, director Matthew Hamachek tells the story of the Patriots’ rise to dominance, the scandals that threatened to overshadow the franchise’s success, and its fall at the end of the Brady era. In this episode of Factual America, Matt and Matthew Sherwood discuss the Patriots’ story and the question at the heart of it: what does it take to accomplish greatness?

In 1979, The Amityville Horror terrified a generation of cinema-goers. In his docu-series, Amityville: An Origin Story, director Jack Riccobono explores the background to the film. Its inspiration was the 1974 murder of the DeFeo family, and the experience of the Lutz family, who moved into the DeFeo’s home not long after, only to flee 28 days later, claiming to have been driven out by paranormal activity. In conversation with Matthew Sherwood, Jack explains how he sought to humanise the Amityville story and place it in the context of the dark, crazy time that was the 1970s. Humans, it turns out, can be just as haunting as ghosts.

Tatiana Suarez was a twelve-time wrestling champion in high school, and bronze medal winner in the World Championships. The Olympic title seemed to be there for the taking until the day she broke her neck. Not long later, doctors discovered she had cancer. The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez, directed by Cassius Corrigan, tells the story of Tatiana’s recovery, and how, with wrestling now closed to her, she chose to take on a new sport: Mixed Martial Arts, at which she has excelled. Cassius joins Matthew Sherwood to discuss Tatiana’s amazing life, from its tumultuous beginnings, seemingly insurmountable setbacks, and ultimate triumphs.