The Truth Behind The Boys in the Boat: Fact vs. Fiction
An in-depth look at the true story behind The Boys in the Boat and the creative liberties taken in the 2023 biographical sports drama film.
The Real Story Behind The Boys in the Boat
The Boys in the Boat is based on Daniel James Brown's 2013 book, depicting the inspiring true story of the United States men's rowing team at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
The cast of The Boys in the Boat
The film, directed by George Clooney and written by Mark L. Smith, had to make several changes to the account of the events to dramatize the story further.
Image of George Clooney directing The Boys in the Boat
While the cast of The Boys in the Boat played actual people, including Callum Turner as Joe Rantz, the filmmakers had to alter parts of the story to fit the constraints of a two-hour film.
The cast of The Boys in the Boat
The real-life timeline of the events was compressed in the movie, and certain significant moments in the characters' lives were omitted.
Joel Edgerton watches the crew team in The Boys in the Boat
The Compressed Timeline
One of the most significant changes in the film was the compression of the timeline. While the real story spanned three years, the movie chronicled the training and Olympic journey in just one year.
callum turner rowing alongside two others in the boys in the boat
This compression was necessary to fit the events into a two-hour film, although it deviated from the actual duration of the events.
Joel Edgerton as Al Ulbrickson in The Boys in the Boat.
The decision to compress the timeline was discussed by Daniel James Brown, who acknowledged the challenges of condensing a multi-year story into a single year for cinematic purposes.
The United States men's eight rowing in The Boys in the Boat.
Omissions and Fictional Elements
The filmmakers had to make difficult decisions and cut out some parts of the characters' stories. One of the most significant omissions was a life-altering moment in Joe Rantz's life, which was left out of the script.
Callum Turner as Joe Rantz in The Boys in the Boat.
Additionally, one part of The Boys in the Boat was revealed to be a complete work of fiction, as the rowing team's interaction with Berkeley's coach was altered for dramatic effect.
joel edgerton instructs the crew team in the boys in the boat
The film also omitted a funny story about the rowing team's attempt to meet President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which was a noteworthy event in the real story.
callum turns listens attentively in the boys in the boat
