Yes, The Irishman is based on the life of Frank Sheeran, a labor union official and alleged hitman for the Bufalino crime family. The movie is based on the book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt, which is a biographical account of Sheeran’s life and involvement in organized crime, including his association with Jimmy Hoffa. However, there is controversy over the accuracy of Sheeran’s claims, and many aspects of the story remain disputed.
What is the true story behind the movie The Irishman (2019)?
The movie The Irishman (2019) is based on the life of Frank Sheeran, a labor union official and hitman who claimed to have been involved in the killing of Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa.
Sheeran was a close associate of organized crime figure Russell Bufalino, and he claimed that he was solicited by Bufalino to commit murder on behalf of the mafia. According to Sheeran, he was involved in several high-profile murders, including the assassination of Hoffa in 1975.
The movie is based on the book “I Heard You Paint Houses” by Charles Brandt, which recounts Sheeran’s life as a mafia hitman. The movie features Robert De Niro as Sheeran, Al Pacino as Hoffa, and Joe Pesci as Bufalino.
While much of Sheeran’s account is based on his own testimony, there are some discrepancies and inconsistencies with his story. Some critics have questioned the accuracy of Sheeran’s claims, and there are alternative theories about who was responsible for Hoffa’s disappearance.
Overall, The Irishman is a fictionalized account of Sheeran’s life and his involvement in the mafia, and it should be viewed as entertainment rather than a factual retelling of history.
Are there any books about the true story behind the movie The Irishman (2019)?
Yes, there are several books about the true story behind the movie The Irishman (2019). Here are some examples:
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“I Heard You Paint Houses”: Frank “The Irishman” Sheeran and the Inside Story of the Mafia, the Teamsters, and the Final Ride of Jimmy Hoffa by Charles Brandt - This book is the inspiration for the movie and tells the story of Frank Sheeran, a hitman who claimed to have killed Jimmy Hoffa.
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The Irish Mob: The True Story of the Rise and Fall of the Westies, the Most Powerful Irish-American Gang in New York by T.J. English - This book provides a broader perspective on the Irish-American crime world in New York and the Westies gang, which Frank Sheeran was affiliated with.
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Killing Jimmy Hoffa by William F. Roemer Jr. - This book focuses specifically on the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa and provides a detailed account of the various theories surrounding his death, including the one presented in The Irishman.
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Hoffa and the Teamsters: A Study of Union Power by Ralph C. James - This book explores the history of the Teamsters Union, which Jimmy Hoffa led, and the corruption that plagued it.
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Mobsters, Madams & Murder in Steubenville, Ohio: The Story of Little Chicago by Susan M. Guy - This book provides background on the organized crime networks that operated in Steubenville, Ohio, where Frank Sheeran grew up and began his career as a hitman.
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