Fargo, the 1996 film directed by the Coen brothers, has become a cult classic, widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. The movie tells the story of a pregnant police chief, Marge Gunderson, who must investigate a series of brutal crimes in the small town of Brainerd, Minnesota. But is Fargo based on a true story? The answer is complicated.
The Coen brothers drew inspiration from a real-life crime that took place in Minnesota in 1987. On December 19, 1987, a 22-year-old woman named Doris Anglin was found brutally murdered in a field in Cold Spring, Minnesota. Her husband, Jerry Anglin, and his father, Duane, were arrested and charged with the crime.
The case received widespread media attention due to the brutality of the crime and the shocking twist of a father and son team being accused of the murder. The Coen brothers were fascinated by the story and used it as a starting point to create their own fictional narrative.
While the events of Fargo are largely fictional, the movie’s setting and characters were inspired by the real-life case. The Coen brothers even consulted with investigators who worked on the Anglin case to get a better sense of the crimes and the people involved.
In an interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota investigator Mike Kostohl stated, “The Coens came to us and asked us to tell them the story of the Doris Anglin case. We gave them as much information as we could, and they used that to create their own story.”
One of the most significant departures from the true story is the character of Marge Gunderson. While the real-life investigation involved a male detective, the Coen brothers wanted to create a strong female protagonist. Marge Gunderson, played by Frances McDormand, became an iconic character in the film and has been praised for her portrayal of a capable and compassionate law enforcement officer.
Another significant change was the addition of a bounty hunter, Carl Showalter, played by Steve Buscemi. While the real-life case involved Jerry and Duane Anglin, the Coen brothers added a third perpetrator to create a more complex and suspenseful plot.
In conclusion, while the events of Fargo are not based on a true story in the classical sense, the film was heavily inspired by a real-life crime. The Coen brothers took creative liberties to create their own narrative, but the setting and characters were drawn from the Anglin case. The film’s unique blend of dark humor, suspense, and crime fiction has made it a beloved classic, and its roots in a true crime story only add to its appeal.