Is Lawless Based on a True Story and Where Was the Movie Filmed?

Publish date: 2024-04-03
Is Lawless based on a true story? is the question on everyone’s mind after watching the American crime drama movie Lawless, if you are also wondering the same, read below.

Is Lawless Based on a True Story?

Certainly. "Lawless" is a movie that delves into the world of bootlegging and illegal alcohol production in the Prohibition era. The film's story is based on the experiences of the Bondurant brothers, who were known as some of the most successful bootleggers in Franklin County, Virginia. Matt Bondurant, the author of "The Wettest County in the World", is the grandson of one of the brothers and drew upon his family history to write the novel that inspired the movie. The Bondurant brothers' moonshine operation was highly successful and allowed them to accumulate a great deal of wealth and power. 

They were known for producing high-quality moonshine and had a vast network of associates who helped them distribute it. However, their success drew the attention of corrupt law enforcement officials who demanded a cut of their profits. The brothers refused to pay and found themselves in conflict with these officials, which led to a violent and bloody confrontation. The film captures the essence of the Prohibition era and depicts the harsh realities of life for bootleggers. It shows how difficult it was to maintain a successful illegal business and the risks that came with it. 

The Bondurant brothers' story is one of resilience and determination as they continued to run their operation despite the threats and dangers they faced. "Lawless" is a powerful movie that provides an insight into the world of bootlegging during the Prohibition era. It shows the harsh realities of life for those involved in the illegal alcohol trade and the risks that came with it. The story of the Bondurant brothers is a compelling one and provides a glimpse into a fascinating period in American history.

Is Lawless a Real Story?

Yes, "Lawless" is based on a real story. The film tells the story of the Bondurant brothers, who were a group of bootleggers operating in Franklin County, Virginia, during the Prohibition era. The brothers ran a highly successful moonshine operation, producing and distributing illegal alcohol throughout the region. The story is based on the experiences of author Matt Bondurant's grandfather and great-uncles, who were the inspiration for the main characters in the film. Bondurant's novel "The Wettest County in the World" is a fictionalized retelling of their experiences, which were drawn from family stories and historical research.

The Bondurant brothers were known for their quality moonshine and their ability to evade the law. However, their success drew the attention of corrupt law enforcement officials, leading to a violent and bloody confrontation.

The film is an adaptation of Bondurant's novel and takes some artistic liberties in its retelling of the story. However, the core events are based on real-life experiences, making it a compelling and authentic portrayal of the Prohibition era. "Lawless" offers a glimpse into the world of bootlegging and the struggles faced by those who operated outside the law during one of the most fascinating periods in American history. The story of the Bondurant brothers is a reminder of the resilience and determination of those who fought to maintain their independence and way of life in the face of corruption and violence.

Where was Lawless Filmed?

"Lawless" is a film set in Franklin County, Virginia during the Prohibition era. The film's production team chose to shoot on location in several areas in Georgia, USA, due to the state's tax incentives for film productions and the presence of suitable period locations. The majority of the film's outdoor scenes were shot in various locations throughout the state of Georgia. The filmmakers used a number of rural areas to portray the rustic landscapes of Virginia during the 1920s and 1930s. Some of the scenes were filmed in Decatur, while others were shot in Canton and Griffin, Georgia. The production also used a number of period buildings and farms in these locations to create a more authentic look and feel for the movie.

The production also utilized several indoor locations throughout Georgia to create the interiors of various buildings and homes seen in the film. These included the historic Candler Mansion in Atlanta, which served as the interior of the courthouse in the film. The filmmakers also made use of a soundstage in Atlanta to film some of the film's interior scenes. "Lawless" was filmed in several locations throughout Georgia to create a convincing and immersive portrayal of the Prohibition era in rural Virginia. The filmmakers used a combination of outdoor locations and indoor sets to create a unique and authentic atmosphere for the film.

Lawless Ending Explained

After the funeral of their youngest brother Cricket, the Bondurant brothers are warned by the sheriff that Special Deputy Charlie Rakes has set up a blockade to trap them at the bridge. Meanwhile, Prohibition agents are being arranged by Wardell to arrest all the bootleggers in the county. Jack takes Cricket's car and speeds off to confront Rakes, with Howard and Forrest following closely behind. Maggie is against their plan, but they provide backup anyway. During the confrontation, it is revealed that Maggie had been raped after she had helped Jack to the hospital. 

Rakes wounds Jack before Forrest and Howard arrive, leading to a shootout where both of them are also wounded, with Forrest's driver dying. The lawmen are held at gunpoint by a convoy of bootleggers, but Rakes tries to execute Forrest. The sheriff shoots Rakes in the leg, but he still manages to shoot Forrest multiple times before fleeing into a covered bridge. Jack and Howard follow Rakes and kill him with a knife, putting an end to the violence. After Prohibition ends, Wardell is arrested on corruption charges. The Bondurants all get married and start working in legitimate occupations. During a reunion at Jack's house, Forrest drunkenly falls into a frozen lake and dies of pneumonia, putting an end to the myth of his invincibility.

Lawless Plot

The year is 1931 and the Bondurant brothers, Forrest, Howard, and Jack, are running a successful moonshine business in Franklin County, Virginia. To assist them, Jack's friend Cricket builds and maintains their stills, while their gas station and restaurant serve as a front for their dealings. Jack witnesses a rum runner, Floyd Banner, kill two federal agents who tried to arrest him. Meanwhile, Forrest hires a financially struggling dancer named Maggie as a waitress, and the newly appointed U.S. Marshal Charley Rakes visits the gas station, demanding a cut of profits from all bootleggers in the county, which Forrest refuses.

Jack develops a romantic interest in Bertha, the daughter of the local preacher, but also receives a beating from Rakes as a message to his brothers. After Forrest is ambushed and almost killed by two drunk customers, Maggie is beaten and raped by the same men. The Bondurants torture and kill the assailants, sending one of their testicles to Rakes. Later, Jack reveals to Forrest that Rakes' men are former bootleggers who escaped punishment by working for him. They continue to expand their business, with Banner becoming a regular client.

When Jack and Bertha are ambushed by Rakes and his officers, Cricket is killed, and Bertha is taken by the police. The sheriff warns the Bondurants of a blockade set up by Rakes to trap them while Wardell arranges for Prohibition agents to round up every bootlegger in the county. Jack confronts Rakes and is wounded, but Howard and Forrest arrive, and a shootout ensues. The lawmen are held at gunpoint by a convoy of bootleggers, but Rakes attempts to execute Forrest before being shot by the sheriff. Rakes runs into a covered bridge, where Jack and Howard plunge a knife into his back, killing him.

After Prohibition ends in 1933, Wardell is arrested on corruption charges, and the Bondurants all get married and work in legitimate occupations. However, Forrest dies after falling into a frozen lake while drunk.

Lawless Summary

The movie "Lawless" chronicles the story of the Bondurant brothers and their moonshine operation, which was part of the illegal liquor trade during Prohibition. The brothers' business was thriving, but their success attracted the attention of law enforcement, including newly appointed U.S. Marshal Charley Rakes, who is determined to shut them down. Rakes, accompanied by corrupt state's attorney Mason Wardell, demands a cut of their profits in exchange for turning a blind eye to their operations. However, Forrest, the leader of the Bondurant brothers, refuses to comply, and the stage is set for a violent confrontation.

The movie shows the harsh realities of life during the Prohibition era, including the power struggles between bootleggers, the corruption of law enforcement, and the violence that often erupted between rival factions. It also explores the complicated relationships between the Bondurant brothers and the women in their lives, including a financially struggling dancer named Maggie, who Forrest hires as a waitress, and Bertha, the daughter of a local Brethren preacher, whom Jack is infatuated with.

As the conflict between the Bondurant brothers and Rakes intensifies, the violence escalates, culminating in a dramatic shootout on a bridge that leaves several people dead, including Rakes. Despite their success as bootleggers, the brothers' illegal enterprise ultimately leads to tragedy, and the film serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of operating outside the law.

Lawless Review

Lawless is a 2012 crime drama film directed by John Hillcoat and based on Matt Bondurant's historical novel The Wettest County in the World. The film tells the story of the Bondurant brothers, who run a successful moonshine business in Franklin County, Virginia, during the Prohibition era. The cast includes Tom Hardy as Forrest Bondurant, Shia LaBeouf as Jack Bondurant, and Jason Clarke as Howard Bondurant, with supporting performances by Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, and Gary Oldman.

The film has received mixed reviews, with some critics praising the performances and atmosphere but criticizing the pacing and lack of character development. Despite these criticisms, Lawless has been commended for its attention to historical detail and authenticity, particularly in its depiction of moonshine culture and the violence and corruption of the era. Lawless is a gritty and intense drama that offers a compelling look at the Prohibition era and the criminal underworld that thrived during this time. While it may not be perfect, it is worth watching for its strong performances and impressive visual style.



Is lawless based on a true story - FAQs

1. Is "Lawless" based on a true story?    

Yes, "Lawless" is based on the true story of the Bondurant brothers, who were infamous bootleggers in Franklin County, Virginia during the Prohibition era.

2. How accurate is the movie compared to the real events?  

The movie takes some liberties with the real events, such as exaggerating the violence and romance elements. However, the core plot and characters are based on the real-life Bondurant brothers and their bootlegging operation.

3. Were the Bondurant brothers really as invincible as depicted in the movie?  

While the movie portrays the Bondurant brothers as nearly invincible and immune to injury, this is likely an exaggeration. However, the brothers did have a reputation for being tough and unafraid of violence, which helped them become successful bootleggers.

4. What impact did the Bondurant brothers have on the Prohibition era?    

The Bondurant brothers were just one group of many bootleggers during the Prohibition era. However, their operation was particularly successful and infamous, and they were known for being unafraid to stand up to law enforcement and other bootleggers. They also helped inspire the myth of the American outlaw, which has become a part of popular culture.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7p77ErJ%2BeqqOhtrexjZympmeclsGmv9NomKusmZi5pr%2BOoqpmpJGsuaa%2F0maZmquVmXqwuoyaZK2qpZp6tMDOq7BmmZ6Zeri0xKucZq%2BRqHq1tMRmpKiumZp6p7XLppydZWFlfXF8kGtsb2k%3D