The True Story Behind the Boys in the Boat

George Clooney is returning to the director’s seat with his upcoming feature film The Boys in the Boat, but is it inspired by true events? The movie, featuring Callum Turner and Joel Edgerton, is scheduled to hit US theaters on December 25, 2023, followed by a UK release on January 12, 2024.

The movie follows the University of Washington rowing team as they compete for gold at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin during the Great Depression. Although George Clooney is not in the cast, the question remains: Is The Boys in the Boat based on a true story? Here's what we know.

Is The Boys in the Boat based on a true story?

Yes. George Clooney’s new film The Boys in the Boat is based on a true story first depicted in the 2013 book of the same name by Daniel James Brown.

The original book centers on Joe Rantz, portrayed by Callum Turner in the movie. Brown describes Rantz as coming from a small town near Seattle and growing up in extreme poverty. His mother passed away from lung cancer when he was only four, and his father later deserted him.

The book delves deeper into Rantz's upbringing, detailing his experiences of living with his aunt and a stepmother who openly despised him. Additionally, The Boys in the Boat movie emphasizes Rantz's independence and resilience, illustrating how he had to hunt, fish, and take care of himself from the age of 15, even living in an abandoned car.

After studying in Washington, Rantz sought a job and discovered that he could earn a wage by joining the school's rowing team, if he qualified. Both the book and the movie depict Rantz's journey alongside seven other young men who made the team, coached by Al Ulbrickson (Joel Edgerton). The team progresses and competes in the 1936 Olympics, under the scrutiny of Adolf Hitler.

In real life, Rantz married his first love Joyce Simdars after the Olympics, and they remained together for the rest of their lives. Despite initially studying chemical engineering, he graduated in 1939 and went on to work for the Boeing Corporation for 35 years. When Daniel James Brown met Rantz, seven members of the rowing team had already passed away. Rantz himself died shortly after in 2007, and his daughter Judy collaborated with Brown to tell his story using recorded tapes she had kept over the years.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the upcoming film "The Boys in the Boat" directed by George Clooney. The story of the University of Washington rowing team's journey to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin during the Great Depression is truly inspiring. It's amazing to think that these young men were able to overcome such adversity and achieve greatness. I am particularly drawn to the character of Joe Rantz, who faced incredible hardships in his early life but never gave up on his dreams. His story is a reminder that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.

I believe that "The Boys in the Boat" will resonate with Gen Z audiences because it speaks to our generation's values of resilience, determination, and teamwork. We are constantly facing challenges and obstacles, but we can achieve great things if we work together and never give up. I am looking forward to seeing this film and being inspired by the incredible journey of the Boys in the Boat.