Netflix’s Western Miniseries Is Surprisingly Historically Accurate

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Netflix's Western Miniseries Is Surprisingly Historically Accurate

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  • What Is Godless About?
  • Real-Life Incidents Depicted in Godless
  • How Godless Uses History to Tell the Story of Frank Griffin

As a history enthusiast who has spent countless hours researching the American West and its tumultuous past, I can confidently say that Godless is one of the most historically accurate Western miniseries ever produced. While it may not be a true story, Scott Frank’s reverse engineering approach to screenwriting ensures that each character and event are grounded in the harsh realities of frontier life.

Three years prior to enchanting audiences with “The Queen’s Gambit,” acclaimed Hollywood writer Scott Frank crafted one of the most historically accurate Western miniseries ever made. Released in 2017 as a 7-part series titled “Godless,” this production draws loosely from events that unfolded in Utah, New Mexico, and other western states during the expansion of settlers across the American frontier.

Although the narrative isn’t directly based on a specific historical event, it draws inspiration from numerous real-life incidents in 18th century America. The characters are fictional, yet they embody the struggles of people who lived during the American West’s harsh times. Certain creative liberties have been taken to heighten drama and speed up the plot, but overall, “Godless” is more historically authentic than generally recognized.

What Is Godless About?

Netflix's Western Miniseries Is Surprisingly Historically Accurate

A miniseries titled “Godless” is an American production, blending western and action genres, penned and directed by renowned screenwriter Scott Frank for Netflix. This seven-episode series unfolds in New Mexico in the year 1884. The story revolves around a young outlaw named Roy Goode (portrayed by Jack O’Connell), who seeks to break free from his merciless employer, Frank Griffin (played by Jeff Daniels). As Roy attempts to elude Santa Fe, he finds refuge in a small town called La Belle, New Mexico, which is inhabited mostly by women following a mining accident that claimed the lives of most men. Today, La Belle stands as a ghost town within Taos County.

Detective Marshall John Cook, portrayed by Sam Waterston, is relentlessly pursuing the notorious criminal, Griffin, to the town of La Belle. In this settlement, the protagonist, Roy, encounters Alice Fletcher (Michelle Dockery), an autonomous rancher, along with her son Truckee (Samuel Marty) and mother-in-law Iyovi (Tantoo Cardinal). The sheriff of La Belle, Bill McNue (Scoot McNairy), and his sister Mary Agnes (Merritt Weaver) maintain law and order in the town. The supporting characters include Deputy Whitey Winn (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and Callie Dunne (Tess Frazer), Mary’s lover.

Scott Frank imaginatively places these fictional characters within an authentic 1884 New Mexican setting, creating a vivid portrayal of life during that time. Key historical events from the actual town of La Belle form the dramatic landscape, serving as a stage for Roy Goode’s escape from Frank Griffin. The majority of this highly-regarded Western miniseries was filmed on location in New Mexico, while LaBelle itself was constructed on a set consisting of 28 full buildings at the San Cristobal Ranch in Lamy, New Mexico.

Real-Life Incidents Depicted in Godless

Netflix's Western Miniseries Is Surprisingly Historically Accurate

As stated by showrunner Scott Frank, he carefully planned his script, focusing on the setting initially and then developing the story. In an interview with The Huffington Post, Frank expressed that his primary focus was on “constructing the world, delving into the period, understanding the way people communicated,” further explaining that his approach involved a “reverse adaptation” and that he had “many characters I wanted to delve deeper into and explore.” Frank visited La Belle personally to gain a firsthand experience of the community before adjusting the screenplay to suit the unique western setting.

In Godless, I’m deeply moved by the fictional event that serves as the story’s catalyst – a devastating mining accident that takes away most men in LaBelle. Although this specific incident didn’t happen in reality, Frank emphasizes that similar fatalities occurred in nearby towns. Instead of dwelling on historical facts, Frank uses this setting to spin a forward-moving tale about female empowerment and challenges the stereotypes surrounding macho men in the American West. Frank boldly redefines traditional narratives and conventional portrayals of frontier life.

The female leadership portrayed in LaBelle is based on historical events that occurred in Jackson, Wyoming during the 20th century. Specifically, after a catastrophic toxic waste disaster destroyed the town in 1920, Jackson’s residents elected an all-female council to rebuild and govern. Similarly, the TV series Godless explores themes of masculinity and feminism as characters Alice and Mary Agnes gradually acquire more authority and impact throughout the storyline.

A significant historical incident portrayed in the series “Godless” is known as the Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857. This tragic event involved a series of attacks on settlers by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the Utah War. The Utah Territorial Militia and some Native Americans from the Southern Paiute tribe retaliated against these attacks. In the show “Godless,” Iyovi is depicted as a member of the Paiute tribe, adding an element of historical authenticity that may not have been fully recognized.

How Godless Uses History to Tell the Story of Frank Griffin

Netflix's Western Miniseries Is Surprisingly Historically Accurate

Jeff Daniels delivers an Emmy-winning portrayal as Frank Griffin, a ruthless outlaw known for his quick draw and lack of moral compass. Frank Griffin is a composite character, embodying the cold-hearted villains who traversed the Wild West in the 1800s. Frequently citing Bible verses before unleashing savage acts of violence, Frank instills fear in Roy Goode and the townsfolk of La Belle. Criminals on the frontier often justified their actions with religious texts, making Frank a symbol of those guided by divine word.

In my perspective as a movie critic, the film “Godless” delves into the story of Griffin, a man fueled by vengeance following the tragic loss of his family at the hands of the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857. This heart-wrenching event took the lives of around 120 travelers from California headed south, and it’s crucial to note that Utah was home to many Mormon settlers during this time of turmoil. The movie subtly incorporates the historical figure of Isaac Haight, a significant Mormon leader, into its narrative.

In Godless, the character John Randall (played by Rob Morgan) was based on a real person – an army veteran who served in the 10th US Cavalry, a man who earned decorations for his service and was reported to have killed 13 members of the Cheyenne tribe. The show uses historical events and genuine characters like John Randall as a backdrop to the fierce rivalry between Roy and Frank, creating a compelling tale set against the American frontier that feels authentic.

Godless is available to stream on Netflix.

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2024-08-09 01:31