Is The Departed Based on a True Story? The Departed Ending Explained, Cast, Plot, and More
by Janani | Updated Aug 02, 2023
The Departed Movie
"The Departed" is a gripping crime thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese, released in 2006. The movie is set in Boston, Massachusetts, and features an ensemble cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Sheen.
The plot revolves around the Irish mob and the Massachusetts State Police, where each organization has planted a mole within the other. Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Billy Costigan, a young police officer who goes undercover to infiltrate the Irish mob led by Frank Costello, played by Jack Nicholson. On the other hand, Matt Damon plays Colin Sullivan, who grew up under the guidance of Costello and later becomes a mole for him within the police force.
As the story unfolds, tension rises as both the police and the mob try to uncover each other's informants. The movie is filled with suspense, double-crossing, and unexpected twists, making it a memorable and critically acclaimed crime drama.
"The Departed" received widespread praise for its engaging storyline, exceptional performances, and Scorsese's direction. The film went on to win several awards, including four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Scorsese, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Film Editing.
With its intense plot and stellar performances, "The Departed" remains a highly regarded crime thriller that continues to captivate audiences.
Is The Departed Based on a True Story?
The Departed Based is loosely based on the story of the Winter Hill Gang. This movie is a combination of a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs" and a loose adaptation of the notorious Boston-based Winter Hill Gang. The central character, Colin Sullivan, draws inspiration from the corrupt FBI agent John Connolly, while Frank Costello is modeled after the Irish-American gangster and crime boss, Whitey Bulger.
Colin Sullivan, a key figure in the film, mirrors the notorious FBI agent John Connolly, who became embroiled in a web of corruption and criminal activities. Similarly, the character of Frank Costello closely resembles the infamous Irish-American mobster Whitey Bulger, known for his involvement in various criminal enterprises.
The film seamlessly weaves elements from the original Hong Kong movie "Infernal Affairs" into its narrative, adding a fresh perspective to the storyline. Concurrently, it takes inspiration from the real-life criminal exploits of the infamous Winter Hill Gang, an organized crime group operating in Boston during the late 20th century.
The movie manages to craft a gripping tale that merges elements from both the original Hong Kong film and the real-life criminal backdrop of Boston's Winter Hill Gang. It blends drama, suspense, and action, making it an intriguing watch for cinema enthusiasts. By masterfully combining these diverse sources of inspiration, the film successfully creates a unique and captivating experience for its audience.
The Departed Cast
Here are the cast and character names of The Departed.
Cast Name
Character Name
Leonardo DiCaprio
Trooper William "Billy" Costigan Jr.
Matt Damon
Staff Sergeant Colin Sullivan
Jack Nicholson
Frank Costello
Mark Wahlberg
Staff Sergeant Sean Dignam
Martin Sheen
Captain Oliver "Charlie" Queenan
Ray Winstone
Arnold "Frenchie" French
Vera Farmiga
Dr. Madolyn Madden
Alec Baldwin
Captain George Ellerby
Anthony Anderson
Trooper Brown
Kevin Corrigan
Sean Costigan
James Badge Dale
Trooper Barrigan
David O'Hara
Patrick "Fitzy" Fitzgibbons
Mark Rolston
Timothy Delahunt
Robert Wahlberg
FBI Special Agent Frank Lazio
Amenda Lynch
Carmen
Kristen Dalton
Gwen
Shay Duffin
Phil
The Departed Plot
In the mid-1980s, Frank Costello, an Irish Mob boss, meets a young Colin Sullivan in South Boston. Two decades later, Sullivan has become a spy within the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) and joined the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to build a case against Costello. Meanwhile, another officer, Billy Costigan Jr., is recruited to infiltrate Costello's crew due to his family ties to organized crime.
Costigan commits crimes to gain Costello's trust and becomes deeply involved with the organization. However, the pressure of his undercover role takes a toll on his mental state. His only support in the police force is his psychiatrist, Madolyn Madden, who happens to be dating Sullivan. Costigan and Madden have an affair.
As the story unfolds, both the MSP and Costello's gang realize they have moles within their ranks. Costigan discovers that Costello is a protected FBI informant and shares this information with his superiors. He also learns about Sullivan's true identity but fails to get visual evidence.
A series of events leads to a tense confrontation between Sullivan and Costigan. Eventually, Costigan manages to expose Sullivan as the mole and escape. Sullivan erases Costigan's records and tries to cover his tracks. Madden, after learning the truth about Sullivan, leaves him.
Costigan arranges a meeting with Sullivan to confront him, but it ends in a shootout. Costigan is killed by a fellow officer under Sullivan's influence. In the end, Dignam, another police officer, takes revenge and kills Sullivan, exposing him as the mole.
The movie ends with a tragic and intense climax, showcasing the complex web of deception and betrayal among the characters in the criminal underworld and the police force.
The Departed Ending Explained
The conclusion of "The Departed" depicts a gripping sequence where three characters meet their demise in rapid succession, leaving Colin as the sole survivor. Although "The Departed" primarily focuses on a particular group of informants, it subtly hints at a broader and more intricate network operating off-screen. Barrigan and Brown, while only briefly featured in the film, play crucial roles in unveiling the true identities of Colin and Billy towards the end.
Adding a further twist, Trooper Barrigan, portrayed by James Badge Dale, is unexpectedly revealed to be working for the Irish mob. In a shocking turn of events, he shoots Trooper Brown, portrayed by Anthony Anderson, and Billy, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, thereby adding another tragic death to DiCaprio's impressive list of on-screen casualties.
The world of undercover informants is akin to a complex tangle of threads, and the climactic shootout in "The Departed" perfectly exemplifies this intricate entanglement. The ongoing conflict between the mob and the police is so bewildering that individual informants may mistakenly believe they hold a pivotal position when, in reality, they are merely small pieces in a much larger puzzle.
Colin, played by Matt Damon, then takes matters into his own hands by eliminating Barrigan, ensuring there are no loose ends to reveal his true identity. Despite appearing to be on the same side as Barrigan, Colin proves his loyalty lies solely with himself, not trusting anyone to aid him. Consequently, eliminating the one remaining individual aware of his identity is his safest course of action.
The Departed Streaming
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The Departed Trailer
Is The Departed Based on a True Story? - FAQ
The Departed Based is loosely based on the story of the Winter Hill Gang.
"The Departed" was directed by Martin Scorsese.
"The Departed" was released in 2006.
The movie is set in Boston, Massachusetts.
The film features an ensemble cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, and Martin Sheen.