movies,

Is the movie Lawless (2012) based on a true story?

Matthew Brown Matthew Brown Nov 10, 2016 · 2 mins read
Is the movie Lawless (2012) based on a true story?
Share this

Yes, Lawless (2012) is based on a true story. It is adapted from the novel “The Wettest County in the World” by Matt Bondurant, which tells the story of his grandfather and great-uncles who were moonshiners and bootleggers in Virginia during the Prohibition era.

What is the true story behind the movie Lawless (2012)?

The movie Lawless is based on the novel “The Wettest County in the World” by Matt Bondurant, which is a fictionalized retelling of his family’s history. The Bondurant family, consisting of three brothers - Jack, Forrest, and Howard - were moonshiners during Prohibition in Franklin County, Virginia.

The movie portrays the brothers as fiercely independent and willing to do whatever it takes to protect their operation, including fighting against corrupt law enforcement officials. This is largely true; the Bondurant brothers gained a reputation for being fearless and tough, and they were known for taking on anyone who tried to interfere with their whiskey-making business.

However, the movie also takes some liberties with the facts. For example, it portrays the brothers as being involved in a violent confrontation with a corrupt special deputy named Charlie Rakes (played by Guy Pearce), which leads to Rakes’ death. While it’s true that the Bondurant brothers were known for fighting back against law enforcement officials who tried to shut them down, there’s no evidence that they were involved in any killings.

Another area where the movie deviates from the truth is in its portrayal of the Bondurant brothers’ relationship with their friend and mentor, a bootlegger named Floyd Banner (played by Gary Oldman in the movie). While Floyd Banner was a real person and a prominent moonshiner in the area, there’s no evidence that he had any direct involvement in the Bondurant brothers’ operation.

In short, while Lawless is based on a true story, it takes some liberties with the facts in order to tell a more exciting and dramatic narrative.

Are there any books about the true story behind the movie Lawless (2012)?

Yes, there are. The movie Lawless is based on the book “The Wettest County in the World” by Matt Bondurant. The novel follows the true story of Bondurant’s grandfather and two great-uncles, who were bootleggers in Franklin County, Virginia during the Prohibition era. The book provides a detailed account of the family’s illegal activities, their run-ins with the law, and the brutal violence that accompanied their criminal enterprise.

You can try an audible free trial and search for audiobook versions of those

movies
Matthew Brown
Written by Matthew Brown
Living life to the fullest, one adventure at a time.