Martin Scorsese’s star-studded movie, Killers of the Flower Moon follows the investigation that occurs when multiple wealthy Osage Native Americans are murdered, shortly after oil is discovered on their land. Tom White is the FBI agent, who uncovers a sinister conspiracy that corrupts the officials of the highest level. Given the realistic characters and themes, the question arises whether Killers of the Flower Moon is based on a true story. Let’s find out about all the possible real events and facts behind the movie.
Is Killers of the Flower Moon based on a true story?
Yes, Killers of the Flower Moon is a true story and is an adaption of the non-fiction eponymous book written by David Grann. The book chronicles the harrowing murders of Osage Native Americans in Oklahoma due to their murderers’ greed for oil. It became the most infamous case in American history as the FBI’s investigation revealed how even the top officials were involved in plotting this crime.
Killers of the Flower Moon’s real events and facts explained
The Osage Nation members were relocated to a barren land, but to much of everyone’s surprise, they emerged to be immensely wealthy due to the oil that was found beneath their properties. As the Osage prospered, greedy officials had their sights set on the lucrative oil wealth, with no regard for human lives.
After a thorough investigation, it was revealed that the corrupted people in power were systematically murdering Osage’s family members to gain control of their wealth and property.
The real people behind Killers of the Flower Moon’s characters
Many notable figures in The Killing of the Flower Moon are inspired by real-life individuals. It is important to note that the creators took some creative liberties to enrich the cinematic experience, but they were still true to the source material.
Is Tom White a real person?
Tom White is a real FBI agent who was assigned to lead the Osage case, as he had the tenacity and commitment to solving similar cases. He brought a few perpetrators to justice, who were corrupt and played a key role in murdering the Osage people. His character seems to be righteous, as he seeks truth and justice.
Is Mollie Burkhart a real person?
Mollie Burkhart is a real person and she is a member of the Osage Nation, who played a crucial part in investigating the Osage murders. Seven of her family members were victims of this tragedy, so she was directly affected by it.
Is William Hale a real person?
William Hale is indeed a real person who was a wealthy rancher and one of the main suspects in the Osage Indian murders. He was accused of plotting the killings as a larger conspiracy to control the immense wealth of Osage land.
Is J. Edgar Hoover a real person?
J. Edgar Hoover was the first director of the FBI and a central figure in the history of Bureaus. The character mostly takes on high-profile cases, much like his real-life counterpart. People tend to trust him due to his political collections and influence on law enforcement.