Killers of the Flower Moon (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Killers of the Flower Moon (film) |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Martin Scorsese |
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| Music by | Robbie Robertson |
| Cinematography | Rodrigo Prieto |
| Editing by | Thelma Schoonmaker |
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| Release date(s) | May 20, 2023 (Cannes) October 20, 2023 (United States) |
| Running time | 206 minutes |
| Country | United States |
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| Budget | $200 million |
| Money made | $157 million |
Killers of the Flower Moon is a 2023 American epic western crime drama film. It was co-written, produced, and directed by Martin Scorsese. The story is based on a 2017 non-fiction book by David Grann. The film is set in Oklahoma in the 1920s. It tells the true story of a terrible time when many members of the Osage Nation were murdered. This happened after oil was found on their tribal land. The Osage people owned the rights to this oil. But a dishonest local leader tried to steal their wealth.
The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone. Other important actors include Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, John Lithgow, and Brendan Fraser. This film is the sixth time Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio have worked together. It's also the tenth time Scorsese and Robert De Niro have collaborated. The movie is dedicated to composer Robbie Robertson, who created the music and passed away before the film was released.
Work on the film began in 2016. Scorsese and DiCaprio joined the project in 2017. Filming was delayed several times, partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Production finally took place from April to October 2021 in Oklahoma. The film cost about $200 million to make. This was reportedly the largest amount ever spent on a film shot in Oklahoma.
Killers of the Flower Moon first showed at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2023. It was released in movie theaters in the United States on October 20, 2023. The film earned $157 million worldwide. It received excellent reviews from critics. People praised Scorsese's directing, the story, the way it looked, the editing, the music, and the acting. Many especially liked the performances of DiCaprio, Gladstone, and De Niro. The film won "Best Film" from the National Board of Review. It was also named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the American Film Institute. The movie was nominated for many awards, including ten Academy Awards. Lily Gladstone won a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her acting.
Contents
What the Film is About
The film shows a sad moment where Osage Nation elders bury a special pipe. They are worried about their future generations becoming too much like white American society. As they walk through their land in Oklahoma, during a time called the "flower moon" when fields are full of blooms, several Osage people discover oil gushing from the ground.
The Osage Nation's Wealth
The Osage tribe became very rich because they owned the rights to the oil on their land. They shared in the money from oil leases. However, a law at the time said that white guardians had to manage the money for many Osage members. These guardians were appointed by the court, often wrongly assuming the Osage were not capable of managing their own money.
In 1919, Ernest Burkhart came back from World War I. He went to live with his brother Byron and his uncle, William King Hale. Hale was a powerful man in the area. He pretended to be a friend to the Osage people, speaking their language and giving them gifts. Hale suggested that Ernest should try to marry Mollie Kyle. Mollie was an Osage woman whose family owned valuable oil rights. Ernest, who had been stealing from the Osage with his brother, met Mollie while working as a cab driver. They fell in love and got married, blending their traditions. Over time, they had three children.
A Dangerous Plan
Secretly, Hale began ordering people to kill wealthy Osage members. He told Ernest that if more of Mollie's family died, Ernest would inherit more oil rights. Mollie had diabetes, and her mother Lizzie was sick. After Mollie's sister Minnie died from a mysterious illness, Hale ordered Byron to kill Anna, Mollie's other sister. Lizzie and the Osage council became very worried. They blamed the white residents and urged their tribe to fight back.
A news report about the 1921 Tulsa race massacre made the Osage even more afraid. This event showed how white people had destroyed a Black community and killed many residents. Lizzie passed away, seeing her ancestors welcome her. Hale then ordered Ernest to murder Henry Roan, Mollie's first husband. This was so Hale could collect money from Henry's life insurance. Ernest failed the murder attempt. Hale punished him for it.
The Investigation Begins
Hale was a very powerful local leader. The local sheriff and judges were under his control. This meant no one investigated the murders. An Osage Nation representative who tried to get help from the United States Congress was also murdered. Mollie secretly hired a private detective named William J. Burns. But Ernest and Byron attacked him and forced him to leave the reservation.
Hale then ordered Ernest to kill Reta, Mollie's last remaining sister, and her husband. He had a criminal blow up their house. Mollie then inherited all of her family's oil rights. Even though she was very sick, Mollie traveled to Washington, D.C., with other Osage leaders. She asked President Calvin Coolidge for help. Because of this, Hale ordered Ernest to poison Mollie's medicine to make her weaker. Mollie's health got much worse. Ernest sometimes used the poison himself, feeling ashamed.
Because Mollie asked for help, the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) sent Agent Thomas Bruce White Sr. and his team to investigate. They quickly discovered the truth. Hale tried to hide his crimes by killing his own helpers. But White arrested Hale and Ernest. The agents found Mollie very ill and made sure she received proper medical care.
Justice and Aftermath
Agent White convinced Ernest Burkhart to confess and help the investigation against his uncle. Hale's lawyer tried to make Ernest say he was forced to confess. However, after one of his daughters died, Ernest bravely testified against his uncle. Hale tried to have his nephew murdered, but it failed. Mollie met with Ernest after he testified. But she decided to leave him when he refused to admit he had poisoned her medicine.
A radio show years later shared what happened next:
- Ernest and Hale were found guilty and sent to prison for life. They were both released after many years, even though the Osage people protested.
- Byron did not go to prison because the jury could not agree on a verdict.
- The Shoun brothers were never charged because there was not enough evidence.
- Mollie divorced Ernest. She later married a man named John Cobb. Mollie passed away in 1937 at age 50 from diabetes. She was buried with her parents, sisters, and daughter. Her obituary did not mention the terrible murders that had happened to her family.
The film ends with a view of a modern-day Osage powwow dancing circle.
Main Actors
- Leonardo DiCaprio plays Ernest Burkhart, a man who is used in the murders.
- Robert De Niro plays William King Hale, Ernest's uncle.
- Lily Gladstone plays Mollie Kyle, Ernest's wife.
- Jesse Plemons plays Thomas Bruce White Sr., the BOI agent who investigates the murders.
- Tantoo Cardinal plays Lizzie Q, Mollie's mother.
- John Lithgow plays Peter Leaward, the main lawyer for the government in the trials.
- Brendan Fraser plays W. S. Hamilton, Hale's lawyer.
- Cara Jade Myers plays Anna Brown, Mollie's first sister.
- JaNae Collins plays Reta, Mollie's second sister.
- Jillian Dion plays Minnie, Mollie's third sister.
- Jason Isbell plays Bill Smith, Minnie's husband.
- William Belleau plays Henry Roan, Mollie's first husband.
- Louis Cancelmi plays Kelsie Morrison, a helper of Burkhart and Hale.
- Scott Shepherd plays Byron Burkhart, Ernest's younger brother.
- Brent Langdon plays Barney McBride, a white oilman who sought federal help.
- Everett Waller plays Paul Red Eagle.
- Talee Redcorn plays Non-Hon-Zhin-Ga/Traditional Leader.
- Yancey Red Corn plays Chief Bonnicastle.
- Tatanka Means plays John Wren, a Native American undercover BOI agent.
- Tommy Schultz plays Blackie Thompson.
- Sturgill Simpson plays Henry Grammer.
- Ty Mitchell plays John Ramsey.
- Gary Basaraba plays William J. Burns, the private detective.
- Charlie Musselwhite plays Alvin Reynolds.
- Pat Healy plays John Burger.
- Steve Witting plays Dr. James Shoun.
- Steve Routman plays Dr. David Shoun.
- Michael Abbott Jr. plays Frank Smith.
- Randy Houser plays Scott Mathis.
- Jack White plays Radio Show Actor.
- Pete Yorn plays Acie Kirby, an explosives expert.
- Larry Sellers plays Non-Hon-Zhin-Ga.
- Barry Corbin plays Undertaker Turton.
- Steve Eastin plays Judge Pollock.
- Katherine Willis plays Myrtle Hale.
- Elden Henson plays Duke Burkhart.
- Gene Jones plays Pitts Beatty.
- Larry Fessenden plays Radio Voice.
- Vince Giordano plays Radio Show Bandleader.
- Martin Scorsese plays Radio Show Producer.
- Norma Jean plays Vera.
Film Release
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Killers of the Flower Moon had its first showing at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2023. The film received a nine-minute standing ovation from the audience. The movie's United States premiere was on September 27, 2023, in New York City. The film was released worldwide in theaters on October 20, 2023, by Apple TV+ and Paramount Pictures.
