Unveiling the Truth: Delving into the Significant Book Alterations in 'Killers Of The Flower Moon'

Article Overview

The movie adaptation of Killers of the Flower Moon focuses on the perspective of Mollie, an Osage character, rather than the three perspectives in the book.

Grann agrees with the alterations made to the screenplay, acknowledging that solely centering on the FBI's viewpoint would have distorted the historical narrative and neglected a significant portion of the tale.

The author of "The Killers of the Flower Moon" proudly supports the movie adaptation. Martin Scorsese's film depicts the brutal murders of the Osage people and the consequences that followed. It raises questions about the FBI's ability to deliver true justice and exposes the harsh reality faced by indigenous communities in 1920s Oklahoma. Although the book primarily focuses on the FBI's perspective, Scorsese chose to emphasize the character Mollie from the Osage tribe.

Author David Grann is fully supportive of the changes made in the adaptation. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Grann explained that the book offers multiple perspectives, which may not be feasible to portray within the limited runtime and practical constraints of a movie. The creators of "Killers of the Flower Moon" consulted Grann and he willingly approved of the numerous alterations. Here is his quote:

The book was narrated from three different perspectives: Mollie's, the FBI's, and the present-day descendants. These viewpoints revealed that while the FBI captured some killers, they failed to uncover a deeper conspiracy. The book covered a wide span of history, starting from when the Osage tribe claimed the central part of the country up until the present. Adapting this complex narrative into a film would not be feasible or advisable. Therefore, the decision to focus on the relationship aspect was the correct choice.

When I was initially approached about changing the focus, I immediately agreed. I didn't have the opportunity to see the original script, so I can't speak to its contents. However, solely concentrating on the second part would have misrepresented the historical events as it would have only shown a fraction of the story. By highlighting the relationship, the film effectively portrays the crimes that occurred. Understanding this relationship provides insights into the larger picture of what transpired. Therefore, I believe it was the right approach to take.

Scorcese's Changes In Killers Of The Flower Moon Make Sense

Books have the advantage of being able to explore details much more extensively than movies. Despite the lengthy 3.5-hour runtime of the film adaptation of "Killers of the Flower Moon," it is still unable to convey the same perspectives as the book. Trying to do so would result in abrupt perspective shifts and potentially undermine the emotional essence of Mollie's connection with Ernest.

Published in 2017, "Killers of the Flower Moon" is a book that is grounded in a true story.

By giving greater emphasis to the FBI's perspective, Scorcese would have prioritized the portrayal of white individuals over the Osage people. This would have diminished the screen time dedicated to the Osage and devalued the perspectives of the victimized culture. In choosing to focus on the Osage, Scorcese ensures that the ending of Killers of the Flower Moon carries more impact.

Additionally, Scorcese successfully humanizes the Osage people, avoiding the temptation to downplay their suffering in favor of the murder mystery. By depicting Mollie's individual pain, the underlying themes become more powerful. This approach also highlights the moral depravity of the killers, particularly when they are portrayed by such talented and renowned actors. Scorcese's decision to alter Killers of the Flower Moon proves to be a highly effective and significant choice.

Source: EW

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I appreciate the changes made in the movie adaptation of "Killers of the Flower Moon." The decision to focus on the perspective of Mollie, an Osage character, rather than the three perspectives in the book, is a powerful and necessary one. By giving greater emphasis to the FBI's perspective, Scorcese would have prioritized the portrayal of white individuals over the Osage people. This would have diminished the screen time dedicated to the Osage and devalued the perspectives of the victimized culture. In choosing to focus on the Osage, Scorcese ensures that the ending of Killers of the Flower Moon carries more impact.

I also appreciate the fact that Scorcese humanizes the Osage people, avoiding the temptation to downplay their suffering in favor of the murder mystery. By depicting Mollie's individual pain, the underlying themes become more powerful. This approach also highlights the moral depravity of the killers, particularly when they are portrayed by such talented and renowned actors. Scorcese's decision to alter Killers of the Flower Moon proves to be a highly effective and significant choice.