Is Taken Based on a True Story? Taken Wiki, Plot, Cast, Where to Watch and More
by Kavitha
Updated Dec 19, 2023
Taken
"Taken" is a movie that came out in 2008. It was made in France and directed by Pierre Morel. The people who wrote the story are Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen, and Luc Besson also produced the movie. The main actors include Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Katie Cassidy, Famke Janssen, Leland Orser, and Holly Valance.
The story is about Bryan Mills, played by Liam Neeson, who used to work for the CIA. Bryan's teenage daughter Kim, played by Maggie Grace, and her friend Amanda get kidnapped by human traffickers from Albania while they are on vacation in France. The movie is about Bryan Mills trying to find and rescue his daughter and her friend.
The film got mixed reviews from critics, but a lot of people went to see it, making it a big success at the box office. It earned $226 million worldwide. Many people say that "Taken" marked a turning point in Liam Neeson's career, making him known as an action star.
The success of "Taken" led to the creation of a franchise. Two sequels were made, called "Taken 2" in 2012 and "Taken 3" in 2014. Additionally, a television series based on the movie premiered in 2017 on NBC. Clive Standen played a younger version of Bryan Mills in the TV series.
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Is Taken Based on a True Story?
No, the movie "Taken" is not based on a true story. Despite its intense and realistic portrayal of a father's quest to rescue his kidnapped daughter from human traffickers, the events depicted in the movie are purely fictional. The famous line spoken by Liam Neeson's character, Bryan Mills, during a phone call to the kidnappers is well-known, but it is part of the movie's script and not a real-life incident.
After the movie's release, there were claims by a man named William G. Hillar, who said he was a retired Colonel and had a daughter kidnapped, sold as a sex slave, and killed. However, it was later revealed that Hillar's story was fabricated, and he had deceived people with false information.
While "Taken" is not based on a specific true story, the issue of human trafficking, as depicted in the film, is sadly a real and serious problem. Human trafficking involves criminal organizations kidnapping and exploiting people, particularly vulnerable individuals, for purposes such as forced labor or the sex trade. The movie accurately reflects the grim reality of human trafficking, even though the specific events in the plot are not based on a true story.
Taken Plot
The movie "Taken" is about a man named Bryan Mills, who used to be a Green Beret and work for the CIA. He wants to be closer to his 17-year-old daughter, Kim, but she lives with her mom, Lenore, and her stepdad, Stuart. Bryan saves a pop star named Sheerah from an attacker at a concert, and Sheerah offers to help Kim become a singer.
Kim asks Bryan to go to Paris with her best friend, Amanda. Bryan is worried about their safety but eventually agrees. In Paris, the girls meet a guy named Peter and go to Amanda's cousins' apartment. There, Amanda gets kidnapped, and Kim calls Bryan for help. Bryan realizes the kidnappers are part of a human trafficking ring.
Bryan goes to Paris and finds a lead on Peter. After a chase, Peter is killed, and Bryan learns about the Albanian mob boss Marko Hoxha. Bryan teams up with a friend, Sam, and a police officer, Jean-Claude, to find Kim. They discover a brothel where Bryan saves a drugged girl who was with Kim.
Bryan finds the house where the girls were kept, confronts Marko, and learns that Kim was sold to a crime syndicate leader named Patrice Saint-Clair. Bryan goes to Saint-Clair's mansion, where there's a secret auction for sex slaves. He saves Kim but is caught and fights his way to Saint-Clair, who reveals Kim was taken to a yacht owned by a sheikh named Raman.
Bryan goes to the yacht, defeats the guards, and rescues Kim. They return to the US, and Bryan surprises Kim by taking her to meet Sheerah. The movie ends with them reunited and safe.
Taken Cast
The tabular column represents the cast for the movie “Taken”:
Liam Neeson
Bryan Mills
Maggie Grace
Kim Mills
Famke Janssen
Lenore Mills-St John
Katie Cassidy
Amanda
Leland Orser
Sam Gilroy
Jon Gries
Mark Casey
David Warshofsky
Bernie Harris
Holly Valance
Sheerah
Xander Berkeley
Stuart St John
Olivier Rabourdin
Jean-Claude Pitrel
Gérard Watkins
Patrice Saint-Clair
Arben Bajraktaraj
Marko Hoxha
Camille Japy
Isabelle
Nicolas Giraud
Peter
Goran Kostić
Gregor
Nabil Massad
Raman
Jalil Naciri
Ali
Actor
Character
Where to Watch Taken?
You can watch "Taken" on Netflix, Viaplay, and Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, you have the option to stream the movie by renting or purchasing it on Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, and Microsoft Store. Whether you have a subscription to Netflix, Viaplay, or Amazon Prime Video, or prefer to rent or buy from Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, or Microsoft Store, there are various platforms available for you to enjoy "Taken" at your convenience.
Taken Trailer
Is Taken Based on a True Story: FAQs
No, "Taken" is a fictional movie, not based on a true story.
Liam Neeson's character, Bryan Mills, says, "I will find you, and I will kill you" during a phone call.
"Taken" was a huge success, grossing $226 million worldwide.
Yes, there are two sequels: "Taken 2" (2012) and "Taken 3" (2014), along with a TV series.
"Taken" is available on Netflix, Viaplay, and Amazon Prime Video. It can also be rented or purchased on Google Play Movies, Amazon Video, and Microsoft Store.