Is The Wolf of Wall Street Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
by Reshwanth A | Updated Apr 17, 2023
Is the Wolf of Wall Street Based on a True Story
The movie The Wolf of Wall Street is actually based on true events. The source material for the movie is Belfort's 2007 biography of the same name, which chronicles his time at the helm of the successful over-the-counter brokerage house, Stratton Oakmont. The film portrays Belfort's use of pump-and-dump schemes with penny stocks, leading to the eventual shutdown of his firm in the '90s. In addition to the financial scams, the movie also showcases Belfort's outrageous behavior, such as drug use, money laundering, driving under the influence, and even sinking a yacht and crashing a helicopter. These scenes and more are all based on true events, as confirmed by Time magazine.
While the story may seem too wild to be true, it serves as a warning of the dangers of unchecked greed and the consequences of unethical and illegal behavior in the financial industry. The movie and book continue to captivate audiences and spark discussion about the need for financial regulation and accountability.
Is The Wolf of Wall Street a Real Story?
The Wolf of Wall Street is based on real events. The movie takes inspiration from Jordan Belfort's biography, which was published in 2007 after he was released from prison. In his book, Belfort recounts how he established the brokerage firm, Stratton Oakmont, and depicts the various fraudulent schemes his firm engaged in. By the late 1990s, the firm was shut down, and Belfort was sentenced to jail for securities fraud. The story serves as a cautionary tale of the perils of unchecked greed and excess in the financial industry.
Despite the shocking nature of the story, both the book and movie adaptations continue to fascinate audiences, providing insight into the darker side of Wall Street. It's a reminder that while financial success and wealth may seem attractive, pursuing them through illegal means comes at too high of a cost. The movie and book's depiction of Belfort's exploits has spurred discussion and debate on financial regulation, particularly following the 2008 financial crisis.
The Wolf of Wall Street Ending Explained
Bidding for the scam began at a rate of $4.5 per share, and within three hours, the shares were already worth $18 per share. Even the top players of Wall Street bought into it. Of the two million shares offered for sale, one million belonged to Jordan through shell companies. In total, the dealer made $22 million in three days from this scheme.
However, Jordan had to figure out how to hide the profit somewhere, and he decided to move the money to a Swiss bank account. He hired an old friend and his family to act as couriers and carry $22 million to Europe, where the money ended up in Aunt Naomi’s Swiss bank account.
Meanwhile, Donnie, Belfort’s partner, also wanted to hide his money in Switzerland and hired Brad to transport it. A fight between Donnie and Brad caught the attention of the police, and Brad ended up in jail. As the police began investigating Stratton Oakmont, the FBI found evidence against Jordan and offered him a deal: either turn in all his partners or face a long time in prison. Jordan agreed and served three years behind bars. After his release, he began conducting seminars on the art of selling.
The Wolf of Wall Street Wiki
The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 American biographical black comedy crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Terence Winter. The film is based on Jordan Belfort's memoir of the same name, which details his rise as a stockbroker in New York City and the rampant corruption and fraud committed by his firm, Stratton Oakmont. Leonardo DiCaprio, who also produced the film, stars as Belfort, alongside Jonah Hill as his friend and business partner, Margot Robbie as his second wife, and Kyle Chandler as FBI agent Patrick Denham.
The film was initially stalled due to content restrictions but was later greenlit by independent production house Red Granite Pictures. It was shot mostly on film stock and premiered in New York City on December 17, 2013. The film was controversial for its explicit content and lack of sympathy for victims, setting a Guinness World Record for most instances of swearing in a film. Despite the controversy, the film was a major commercial success, grossing $406.9 million worldwide and becoming Scorsese's highest-grossing film.
The Movie Wolf of Wall Street Overview
Directed by
Martin Scorsese
Screenplay by
Terence Winter
Based on
The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort
Produced by
Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, Riza Aziz, Joey McFarland, Emma Tillinger Koskoff
Starring
Leonardo Dicaprio, Margot Robbie, Johan Hill, Matthew McConaughey
Cinematography
Rodrigo Prieto
Edited by
Thelma Schoonmaker
Production
Red Granite Pictures
Companies
Appian Way Production, Sikelia Production, EMJAG Production
Distributed by
Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures
Release dates
December 17, 2013 (Ziegfeld Theater)
December 25, 2013 (United States)
Running time
180 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
100 million
Box office
406.9 million
Specifications
Details
Is The Wolf of Wall Street Based on a True Story - FAQs
The Wolf of Wall Street is a 2013 biographical black comedy crime film directed by Martin Scorsese, based on the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort. The film follows the rise and fall of Belfort's career as a stockbroker, including his involvement in securities fraud and corruption on Wall Street in the 1990s.
Yes, "The Wolf of Wall Street" is based on a true story. Jordan Belfort, the protagonist of the film, is a real person who was a stockbroker and ran a brokerage firm called Stratton Oakmont in the 1990s. Belfort pled guilty to securities fraud and money laundering in 1999 and served 22 months in prison.
According to Jordan Belfort's memoir, the portrayal of drug use and debauchery in the film is mostly accurate. Belfort has admitted to abusing drugs such as Quaaludes, cocaine, and alcohol during his time at Stratton Oakmont, and the film depicts these activities in graphic detail.
While "The Wolf of Wall Street" is a work of fiction based on real events, it has been criticized for glorifying the unethical and illegal behavior of Jordan Belfort and his colleagues. Some critics have argued that the film could contribute to a negative public perception of the financial industry as a whole.