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Why are we drawn to stories ‘based on a true story’? This phenomenon enchants audiences by offering a blend of entertainment and authenticity, creating a nifty overlap between reality and imagination. Fiction may seduce our minds, but it’s the non-fiction elements that tether us to the ground.
Consider the Coen Brothers (Joel and Ethan Coen), masters at transforming the ordinary into cinematic brilliance. They famously claimed that their 1996 crime thriller,Fargo, was ‘based on a true story’.
However, this isn’t exactly the case. While the Coen Brothers let us believe the narrative was rooted in real events, they pulled the wool over our eyes with a cheeky twist, blending fact and fiction in a way that was nothing short of genius.
Fargo: ‘True’ Story Behind Coen Brothers’ Masterpiece
Fargoburst onto the scene in 1996 with a statement that packed a punch, informing audiences that what they were about to see actually had some basis in reality.
In an interview withThe Huffington Post, the Coen brothers clarified what aspects ofFargoare grounded in reality and which are purely fiction.
Ethan Coen began by explaining the reasoning behind the“true story” disclaimer, stating:
We wanted to make a movie just in the genre of a true story movie. You don’t have to have a true story to make a true story movie.
That said, it turns outFargomight be more rooted in reality than you’d think. Joel Coen further revealed to the outlet:
There are actually two little elements in the story that were based on actual incidents. One of them is the fact that there was a guy, I believe in the ’60s or ’70s, who was gumming up serial numbers for cars and defrauding the General Motors Finance Corporation. There was no kidnapping. There was no murder. It was a guy defrauding the GM Finance Corporation at some point.
Joel Coen added:
The other thing based on something real: There was a murder in Connecticut, where a man killed his wife and disposed of the body—put her into a wood chipper. But beyond that, the story is made up.
While promotingFargo, Joel Coen told Premiere (viaThe Telegraph):
We wanted to attempt something inspired by a real story and present it in a very stripped-down manner.
He even noted that the events portrayed on screen were“pretty close”to what actually took place.
Fargo: The Art of Fiction Served with a Side of Reality?
Fast forward two decades after the film bagged two Oscars, and FX took this true-crime concept and quirky sense of humor, transformingFargointo an anthology series. While none of the show’s five seasons directly adapt the movie’s plot, they all kick off with a tweaked version of that iconic title card, claiming that the story is based on true events.
But don’t get ahead of yourself—this isn’t necessarily the whole truth! Showrunner Noah Hawley decided to take a different approach. In an interview withMen’s Health, he made it crystal clear:
Every season is all just made up.
No real-life inspirations here! Instead, Hawley started with characters that tickle his fancy and spin their tales from scratch.
Fargo Season 5 Soundtrack: All Songs Featured and Where to Find Them – A Definitive Guide
Yet, despite all the fiction,Fargodoes an admirable job of tricking viewers into believing that these stories could’ve actually happen. The series garnered numerous awards and nominations, primarily for its exceptional performances. Highlights include seven Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards.
Even the film was both a critical and commercial triumph, receiving seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Steve Buscemi &Peter Stormare’s Real-Life Encounter DuringFargoFilming
According to Peter Stormare, after filming an intense scene where their characters committed a cop killing, the crew decided they were in dire need of pancakes (viaHuffington Post). Steve Buscemi, at the wheel, didn’t exactly win any driving awards that night.
Just like their characters, they found themselves pulled over by the long arm of the law. And Buscemi even couldn’t provide the officer with the car’s registration because—you guessed it—it was a rental.
Stormare recounted that their hearts were racing, wondering if the Coen Brothers had orchestrated this as a prank. But the real kicker? Buscemi somehow managed to charm his way out of a ticket. No fines, no fuss, just two actors left in disbelief.
Why Did the Coen Brothers ChooseFargoas the Movie’s Title?
Indeed,Fargodid spark conversation—particularly about its title.
So, Fargo is a city in North Dakota, and it’s the very spot where our hero (or anti-hero, depending on your viewpoint) Jerry Lundegaard, played by the ever-quirkyWilliam H. Macy, first meets up with the delightful duo of criminals portrayed by Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare.
However, that’s the only scene in the entire film that actually takes place in Fargo. The rest? Ah, theories abound! OneRedditoreven took a philosophical dive, suggesting that the title could symbolize a place outside your normal existence that dramatically alters your life. A poetic notion, indeed!
The truth, as revealed in aninterviewwith Charlie Rose, is far more simple. Joel and Ethan Coen, while promotingFargo, explained that they were weighing the options between the namesFargoandBrainerd, which are the two most significant locations in their cinematic universe. Ultimately, they decided that the former just had a nicer ring to it.
“I’m actually quite grateful”: Fargo Star Juno Temple is Glad to Have Bid Farewell to Her Cheerful Ted Lasso Role After Hinting Future Spin-off Condition
So, while fans may continue to mull over the philosophical implications of a name, it seems the Coen Brothers were just looking for something that sounded cool. Whether it’s a clever title or a quirky character, it’s all about what resonates with the audience.
The film featuresFrances McDormandas Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief probing a string of murders tied to a failed kidnapping scheme masterminded by Jerry Lundegaard. Meanwhile, the series of the same name spans five seasons and made its debut on FX on July 24, 2025.
Ergo, the next time you settle in for a ‘true story,’ ask yourself—how much of what we see on screen is actually rooted in reality, and how much is an artful embellishment?
Fargo(film) is available to rent on Apple TV. AndFargo(TV series) is streaming on Hulu.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
