'Killers of the Flower Moon' now showing: What to know about true history, Osage people who made film
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"Killers of the Flower Moon," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Robert De Niro, opened in theaters worldwide on Oct. 20, and it's one of the biggest films ever made in Oklahoma.
The film, directed by Martin Scorsese, depicts the 'Reign of Terror' in Oklahoma, a string of murders of the Osage people, who had become some of the wealthiest people in the world when oil was discovered on their allotted land.
The movie was filmed in Oklahoma, and members of the Osage Nation both starred in and worked on production.
Here's a rundown of everything about "Killers of the Flower Moon," from ticket info, trailers, and the real-life history shown in the film.
More: Everything you need to know about the Oklahoma-made movie 'Killers of the Flower Moon'
Go see the film
How to get tickets for 'Killers of the Flower Moon'
We recommend buying your tickets in advance online, especially if you want to view it in IMAX. Learn more here.
Reviews: Is 'Killers of the Flower Moon' worth your time?
It's been seven years since a bidding war broke out over the rights to the true-crime book "Killers of the Flower Moon" before it had even been published. Our review? Martin Scorsese's epic made-in-Oklahoma cinematic adaptation of the bestseller is worth the wait — and it's worth 3 1/2 hours of your time.
Should I see it in IMAX?
Given its scope, it's also worth paying a little more to see it in IMAX while you can. For local film fans, here's what you need to know about where you can find an IMAX showing of "Killers of the Flower Moon" in Oklahoma City.
What is the 'Killers of the Flower Moon' runtime? Is there an intermission?
There won't be an intermission, though director Martin Scorsese has defended the film's three-hour and 26-minute runtime.
If you're thinking you might need a break at some point during the film, we've got a couple of suggestions on the best times during the movie to run to the bathroom.
Why don't movies have intermissions? Here's why experts say the old practice isn't going to make a return
'Killers of the Flower Moon' based on a true story
Who were Ernest and Mollie Burkhart?
Spoilers ahead: Here's the true story of Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone's characters in 'Killers of the Flower Moon.'
Osage Murders: What was the 'Reign of Terror'?
"Killers of the Flower Moon" focuses on a string of murders of the Osage people, who had become some of the wealthiest people in the world when oil was discovered on their allotted land. The murders came to a stop when the newly created U.S. Bureau of Investigation, now the FBI, arrested the culprits.
But the Osage Nation hasn't forgotten what happened.
Here's what we know about what the tribe calls the "Reign of Terror."
Oklahoma's state flag tied to the history in 'Killers of the Flower Moon'
In the spring of 1925, the Oklahoma Legislature voted almost unanimously to adopt a new design for the state flag: An Osage bison-hide shield that artist Louise Funk Fluke had depicted on a field of blue.
In the same year, the Reign of Terror, the Osage Nation murders depicted in "Killers of the Flower Moon," terrorized the community.
Does The Pioneer Woman live on stolen land depicted in 'Killers of the Flower Moon'?
Short answer: Yes. The Drummond family is the largest landholder in Osage County, and according to a Bloomberg report, the Drummond patriarchs were able to amass so much land because they used money made off of, or borrowed from, the Osage.
"Killers of the Flower Moon," Tulsa Race Massacre started 3 days apart
What's not depicted in the film, however, is that about 50 miles away, another historical massacre was taking place in Tulsa.
The Tulsa Race Massacre began a few days after some of the first Osage murder victims were found. The two-day riot brought on white supremacists resulted in 300 dead, and is now considered one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history.
Both sets of tragedies put a spotlight on white people using violence in Oklahoma to seize wealth owned by minority populations.
Behind the scenes of "Killers of the Flower Moon"
David Grann on 'Killers of the Flower Moon' book, adaptation
Scorcese's film is adapted from David Grann's 2017 National Book Award finalist "Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI."
"A film and a book are always two different things — and they should be. They are different mediums," Grann told The Oklahoman. "The movie does a remarkable job."
Why Lily Gladstone, star of 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' made Oklahoma her second home
Two years after filming in and around the Osage Nation in northeastern Oklahoma, "Killers of the Flower Moon" is one of the most anticipated movies of 2023. It is already widely regarded as an Academy Awards contender ahead of its Oct. 20 global theatrical release.
And so is Lily Gladstone, 37, a NiMíiPuu, or Nez Perce, and Siksikaitsitapi, or Blackfeet, actor who hails from Montana but has spent much of the past five years working on film and television projects in the Sooner State.
'Evil was all around us': Osage actor brought family connections
For Yancey Red Corn, "Killers of the Flower Moon" is more than just a story that you can read in a book — or soon see in a movie.
It's part of his family history as well as an ongoing legacy.
Read how his family's history helped inform the movie, which premieres Oct. 20.
These were the Osage people who helped make 'Killers of the Flower Moon'
"There's all the hype and all the movie stars and then a big, giant reception. … But it's so hard. I just left the theater feeling very heavy. It's a lot to process," said Danette Daniels, who is Osage, and saw the film at a special screening earlier this year.
Osage Nation Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear praises the film and its authenticity
"People don't realize — I didn't — how hard they worked to put this movie together, and the studying they did. The emotion you see from them, how they craft that, it was so impressive. It was just a privilege and a lifelong memory to watch great artists at work," Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear said in a summer Zoom interview.
"And our people are everywhere in this movie."
'Killers of the Flower Moon' is based on a true story. But under Oklahoma law, teachers may not be able to teach it.
With the movie release of “Killers of the Flower Moon” only days away, questions still persist about Oklahoma schools’ ability to teach the historical events depicted in the film.
The source of the uncertainty is House Bill 1775, a 2021 state law regulating classroom discussions on race and gender.
Watch 'Killers of the Flower Moon trailers and promotional info
Leonardo DiCaprio torn between love and greed in new 'Killers of the Flower Moon' trailer
Check out the new 'Killers of the Flower Moon' posters and global theatrical release date
Explosive new 'Killers of the Flower Moon' trailer shows more conflict from Oklahoma film
Nate Chute and Jana Hayes contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 'Killers of the Flower Moon': The real story, movie runtime, more info
