Unveiling the Horrors: Inside the Sinister Tale of Killers of the Flower Moon

Jack Fisk had a bold proposition. The esteemed production designer known for his incredible work on acclaimed films like "The Revenant" and "There Will Be Blood," where he collaborated with industry luminaries Terrence Malick, Paul Thomas Anderson, and David Lynch, was gearing up to reconstruct a crime scene.

Fisk, who was in Oklahoma for the shooting of "Killers of the Flower Moon," Martin Scorsese's latest film based on the Osage murders, was preparing for a scene. The scene depicted the tragic events of the "Reign of Terror," where an Indigenous community in the 1920s fell victim to targeted violence due to their oil wealth. Among the victims were Bill and Rita Smith, residents of Fairfax, who lost their lives on March 10, 1923, when a bomb destroyed their home. Fisk had come across a similar house that would serve as a perfect location for earlier scenes. Although the explosion would not be shown directly on screen, the aftermath of the destruction would be visible to the audience. Curious, Fisk approached the owners to inquire whether they would be willing to have their house blown up for the film. Surprisingly, the two women agreed and went on to share their reasons.

"Their father, an Osage, had resided in that residence," Fisk informed CNN. "He had a White spouse, who acted as his caretaker." (During that time, the Osage were obligated to relinquish management of their financial resources to White individuals or acquaintances.) "She seized all of his funds, making his life unbearable, and now that he has passed away, they were relieved to witness it all vanish. It was an emotionally cleansing moment."

Fisk is renowned for resurrecting the haunting echoes of America's past. "Killers of the Flower Moon" similarly compelled him to confront its deep-rooted afflictions.

The adaptation of David Grann's 2017 book, "Killers of the Flower Moon," delves into one of the most horrific crimes in American history. At one point, the Osage community held the title of being the wealthiest in the world, thanks to their unique ownership of mineral rights to their land.

When vast oil reserves were discovered beneath their pastures in the late 1800s, prospectors eagerly paid large sums for the privilege of drilling, leading to immense wealth for the Osage. However, despite their riches, they were stripped of their financial independence through the establishment of guardianships. Exploitative individuals took advantage of these guardianships, creating an environment ripe with corruption, leaving the Osage with little recourse. This led to a conspiracy where headrights, which were essentially deeds of ownership to the land, were being unlawfully transferred into the hands of white individuals through marriage and inheritance. Grann reveals that numerous Osage people fell victim to this Reign of Terror, although the exact number of casualties remains unknown.

The family of Mollie Burkhart (second left, played by Lily Gladstone) are targeted for their wealth in Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon."

Mollie Burkhart, portrayed by Lily Gladstone, is at the center of Scorsese's film. Her husband, Ernest, and his uncle, William Hale, join forces to exploit her family's headrights for their own gain. Mollie's sister, Rita Smith, also plays a role in this story. The movie, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, received rave reviews when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May and is set to hit theaters on October 20.

The painful chapter of history was recounted with the approval and cooperation of the Osage Nation, and filmed on location at numerous significant sites. Scorsese enlisted the expertise of Fisk, renowned for his talent in on-location production design, marking their first collaboration.

Fisk reflects on his entry into the industry over fifty years ago, admitting that he stumbled into it by chance. Unacquainted with his responsibilities, he took on various tasks, including building, painting, and dressing sets. Even at nearly 80 years old, he still enjoys getting his hands dirty. One of his initial major projects was working on Terrence Malick's "Days of Heaven" (1978), where his earnest approach resulted in the creation of one of cinema's most iconic houses designed to be filmed from any angle, both inside and out. Fisk mentions that his experience working on a soundstage was limited to just one occasion, collaborating with his long-time friend David Lynch on "Mulholland Drive" (2001). When he's not working, Fisk prefers to live on his farm in Virginia, embracing an outdoor lifestyle.

Malick later enlisted the services of Fisk for "The New World" (2005). In this project, Fisk successfully recreated Jamestown, circa 1607, while working closely with the Algonquin and Powhatan peoples, who historically inhabited Virginia. Fisk's approach involved extensive research, a dash of common sense, and some speculation. The astonishing accuracy of his Jamestown reconstruction left historians astounded. It even included architectural elements and construction techniques that archaeologists would only discover later at the actual fort site, which was found in 1994.

"Days of Heaven" (1978), where Jack Fisk designed a house on location in Alberta, Canada, standing in for Texas in the film.

Photo 12/Alamy Stock Photo

In Terence Malick's "The New World" (2005), Fisk recreated both Jamestown, Virginia as well as Indigenous architecture.

Fisk, who is married to actor Sissy Spacek (the two met on Malick's Badlands), emphasized the role of production design in enhancing the performances and revealing more about the characters beyond just the dialogue.

"I strive to construct the sets with utmost completeness. They possess an immersive quality in all 360 degrees... It's unlike the conventional approach taken by many films," stated Fisk. "For the carpenters, it poses an additional challenge, as we often encounter extreme weather conditions such as freezing cold, scorching heat, or heavy rain during the construction process. However, the outcome is undeniably worthwhile."

Scorsese required such dedication and adaptability. Fisk joined the production of "Killers" four years into its pre-production phase, delving into the extensive research materials provided by Grann and executive producer Marianne Bowers (who also serves as Scorsese's archivist). He further conducted his own research, extensively exploring various sources ranging from the US government's treaties with the Osage in 1808 to magazines from the 1920s. Addie Roanhorse, a talented Osage artist, was enlisted to contribute to the production design. Following this, Fisk actively reached out to the Osage community in Oklahoma, leaving personal notes on their doors, kindly asking for their collaboration.

Meeting the Osage people who resided in Gray Horse, where Mollie and her family lived, was a remarkable experience. Their generosity knew no bounds as they shared Osage artifacts, family photographs, and spoke about their vibrant gatherings and the immense number of people that would attend.

Determined to uncover Mollie Burkhart's former residence with Ernest, which had been passed down through generations from her mother, Lizzie Q Kyle, Fisk tirelessly searched until he located the house. However, he was taken aback by its simplicity, far removed from the grandeur he had envisioned. Drawing from his observations and knowledge gained from the Osage people and their social customs, Fisk meticulously designed a replica of the house, which was constructed on a ranch just outside Pawhuska.

"These houses needed to be constructed with utmost strength to withstand the destructive forces of tornadoes. It was crucial for them to remain completely watertight as we had meticulously decorated the interiors with set dressing and wallpaper," he elaborated on his sets. "Considering the extended duration of Marty's filming process, these houses had to endure for several months. Lilly's fluctuating weight required us to return and modify the sets accordingly, necessitating a repeated cycle of departure and arrival."

Scorsese and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto preparing a shot for "Killers of the Flower Moon." The filmmakers recreated the town of Fairfax, Oklahoma in Pawhuska, a nearby location. They redressed and refitted historical buildings to restore them to their original state.

Courtesy of Apple Original Films.

Fisk's recreation of Fairfax in the completed film.

Courtesy of Apple Original Films, Pawhuska became the primary location for filming, with about 50 still-standing buildings being utilized. Since Fairfax had lost most of its period buildings, Pawhuska served as a suitable substitute. To maintain an authentic period look, period windows were installed, old signage was fitted, and Kihekah Avenue, Fairfax's former thoroughfare, was covered over.

Lily Gladstone talks with Martin Scorsese inside a church on location for "Killers of the Flower Moon."

Apple Original Films presents its latest production, in association with Courtesy, which sheds light on the tragic Osage murders. It is disheartening to note that very few perpetrators were held accountable for their actions. Numerous crimes remained unresolved, and some murders were never even properly investigated. While we acknowledge that no film can fully rectify these injustices, the meticulousness and sensitivity displayed by Scorsese and his team have not escaped the notice of the Osage community. The director himself has aptly described the movie as "a heartfelt offering, recognizing the immense terror endured by the Osage people, and perhaps providing a semblance of solace."

The production completely demolished the house that served as the substitute for Bill and Rita Smiths' residence. The destruction was deliberate, using an excessive amount of nitro-glycerine to ensure absolute devastation. Surprisingly, this simulated act of terror had an unforeseen consequence. It transformed into a purifying symbol, aiding an Osage family in their healing process from the trauma inflicted by the exploitation depicted in Scorsese's film.

Once filming was complete, Fisk's crew diligently removed all the debris from the land and restored it to its rightful owners. As a final touch, they covered the ground with grass before departing.

"Killers of the Flower Moon" is released in cinemas on October 20.