Ever wonder what it means when a movie claims it is “Based on Actual Events?” The new Nicolas Cage vehicle, the “The Frozen Ground,” makes that claim.
But what does that mean? For clues, let’s look at the Nicolas Cage character in the film.
According to IMDb, Cage plays “Jack Halcombe.” Allegedly, he’s the Alaska State Trooper who brought Hansen to justice. That’s strange, because if you look at the definitive account of the Hansen murders, “Butcher, Baker,” you will not find a character named Jack Halcombe.
That’s because there is no “Jack Halcombe,” at least in the context of the Alaska State Troopers and serial murderer Robert Hansen. Jack Halcombe is a fictional character. Nicolas Cage plays a fictional character.
The actual cop who brought Robert Hansen to justice is named Glenn Flothe. Early reports about the movie listed Flothe as the Nicolas Cage character. That changed. I’m guessing (educated guess) the reason that changed is because:
The filmmakers made up a lot of shit. Shit that Glenn Flothe was not comfortable signing off on. And to use Glenn’s name, he had to sign off on it. In the movie business, it’s called “Life Rights.” As in, I can say anything I want about you — true or false — if it helps the movie. You signed off on “Life Rights.” You can’t frickin’ sue me.
It turns out that Glenn Flothe wasn’t the only one who didn’t sign off on the made-up-shit. Here’s the complete list.
Fictional Characters in Frozen Ground
- Jack Halcombe (Nicolas Cage) = Glenn Flothe
- Allie Halcombe (Radha Mitchell) = Cherry Flothe (Glenn Flothe’s wife)
This one should be obvious. - Fran Hansen (Katherine LaNasa) = Darla Hansen
Hansen’s ex-wife, Darla, has no incentive to cooperate with the filmmakers. - D.A. Pat Clives (Kurt Fuller) = D.A. Pat Doogan
Pat Doogan is a good friend of Glenn Flothe, who played a critical role in getting an arrest warrant for Hansen when the local D.A. wasn’t being entirely cooperative. I’m guessing you can’t get one (Doogan) without the other (Flothe).
Ok, so it’s a fairly short list. A short list of very important characters. And when the filmmakers couldn’t navigate a closer tack to the “truth,” they bailed. Call it creative convenience. Call it “based on actual events.” Call it made up shit.
Whatever you do, don’t call it true. For that, you have to read, “Butcher, Baker.”
Best movie of da year
Hi,
I’m watching the behind-the-scenes featurettes for the Blu-ray release and apparently Glenn Flothe did, in some way, approve of the project as he helped the writer (and director) Scott Walker with reviewing the case when Walker met with Flothe in Alaska.
Now, how much did he approve? I don’t know. He did have a short interview in the making-of featurette and didn’t say anything disapproving though the filmmakers of course could have removed anything negative. But I didn’t get the sense he was dissatisfied otherwise I doubt he would even participate in any interview…
As for the character played by Nicolas Cage, it is a composite of those involved in solving the case (including Mr. Flothe) and I’ve seen that done before with movies based on actual events, so it’s not uncommon.
Anyway, hopefully that helps.
Disregard my comments, just read your latest post.
Just so you all know. In the filmmaking business, they had to change names in order to protect the true identities of those involved
There is something you should know outside the movie part ..as my step father Greg Stan worked at a bakery before he purchased his own bakery ..my step father fired Robert or laid him off at bakery 1 he was working at ..this was before he bought his own bakery ..couple weeks later he walks in the bakery he was fired from and asks our dad to go on a hunting trip ( Greg Stan ) he had a brand new rifle he was showing off and he wanted to take our dad for a hunting trip in his plane ..our dad refused and rumours were he was a little odd but no one could have possibly known how bad this turned out ..Robert had his own family and kids no possible way for anyone to know or even guess the brutality of all those victims murdered and raped and tortured and these are facts not even in the movie ..he worked in another bakery before he purchased his own bakery ..I don’t honestly think there would have been anyone who could have known as it went ..from Robert Christerson