Book Vs. Movie: BlacKkKlansman
The True Story Ron Stallworth
The Margos visit the world of nonfiction with the too-nutty-to-not-be-true story of retired police officer Ron Stallworth who in the late 1970s infiltrated the Kuy Klux Klan in Colorado Springs, Colorado. On his journey, he met racists throughout the region who were not precisely clever but had designs of terrorizing nonwhites and Jewish people. After his assignment, he transferred to work at the Utah Department of Safety–never speaking about the job until after retirement.
His 2014 book Black Klansman: A Memoir explains how and why he joined the Colorado “Organization” and how it felt to be the only person of color on the police force. We also learn how the KKK planned to bomb gay bars and cross-burnings throughout Colorado Springs. During his recruitment process, Stallworth spoke with the Grand Wizard, David Duke, and even took a photo with the noted racist creep.
Director & screenwriter Spike Lee and producer Jordan Peele adapted the memoir into a 2018 film starring John David Washington, Adam Driver, and Topher Grace that won wide praise was a box office hit and earned Lee an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. This is a case of taking real life and creating an audacious and funny story.
Between the memoir and the adaptation, which did we prefer? Have a listen to find out!
In this ep the Margos discuss:
- The real story of Ron Stallworth and his police undercover activities
- David Duke and the KKK in the 70s & 80s
- Director Spike Lee and his work
- The cast: John David Washington (Ron Stallworth,) Adam Driver (Flip Zimmerman,) Laura Harrier (Patrice Dumas,) Corey Hawkins (Kwame Ture,) Topher Grace (David Duke,) Jasper Paakkonen (Felix Kendrickson,) Ryan Eggold (Walter Breachway,) Ashlie Atkinson (Connie Kendrickson,) and Corey Hawkins as Kwame Ture.
Clips used:
- The KKK calls Ron
- BlacKkKlansman trailer
- Stokely Carmichael/Kwame Ture (played by Corey Hawkins)
- David Duke finally “meets” Ron over the phone
- Sidney Poitier as Jerome Truner
- “Ron” gets his picture taken with David Duke
- Music: Too Late to Turn Back Now (Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose)
Book Vs. Movie is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. Find more podcasts you will love Frolic.Media/podcasts
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