Is The Offer Based on a True Story? What is the Series Based on?
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Apr 25, 2023
The Offer
The Offer is a biographical drama miniseries created by Michael Tolkin and Nikki Toscano for Paramount+. It depicts the making of the iconic gangster movie The Godfather (1972) by Francis Ford Coppola for Paramount Pictures. The series features a cast including Miles Teller, Matthew Goode, Giovanni Ribisi, Colin Hanks, Dan Fogler, Juno Temple, and Burn Gorman. The show aired from April 28 to June 16, 2022, comprising ten episodes.
Despite being produced by Paramount, The Offer doesn't portray the studio as an infallible master of the film industry. The series depicts the frenzied atmosphere of the time period, showcasing power struggles to remove Robert Evans, communication breakdowns, betrayal, and conflicts over casting and budgeting.
While certain aspects are undoubtedly dramatized, the series captures the delicate balance between directors and creatives and the executives who control the purse strings, resulting in an intriguing ten-episode drama. The show portrays the best and worst of human nature, showcasing both egos and instincts at their highest and lowest points.
Is The Offer Based on a True Story?
Paramount+ has launched several impressive series since its March debut, including new additions to the Star Trek franchise and a television adaptation of Halo. However, their most ambitious project to date is The Offer, a series inspired by the incredible story behind the making of The Godfather.
Created by Michael Tolkin, the show is based on true events but largely influenced by the recollections of the movie's producer, Albert S. Ruddy, portrayed by Miles Teller in the series.
As the show prepares for its release, insiders who were involved in the making of The Godfather have challenged Ruddy's account, creating uncertainty about what aspects of the story are true and what parts are fiction. Nonetheless, audiences from both within and outside the film industry are sure to enjoy The Offer's use of an unreliable narrator, a classic Hollywood device.
What is The Offer Based on?
The Offer depicts the entire process of bringing a film to life, specifically the development and production of The Godfather for Paramount Pictures. While the phrase "love letter to cinema" is often overused in reviews, it genuinely applies to this series. From securing the rights to an unfinished manuscript to selecting the director, writer, and cast, the show offers an in-depth look at every stage of film production, including location scouting and navigating industry politics.
It even portrays the relentless pursuit of the next big hit, planning sequels before the first film has even premiered, and using past successes as a launching pad for future careers. Despite the lack of glamour in the process, the show's characters make even the smallest details compelling, and viewers will find themselves rooting for their success, victories, and well-being.
The Offer Reviews
Although it may not be consistently engaging, The Offer is still worth watching, with the exception of the final 64-minute episode. The series is essentially an extended Wikipedia entry about the making of The Godfather, filled with nods and winks to cinema fans, and featuring performances that range from enjoyable caricatures to less convincing ones.
The show was created by Michael Tolkin and Leslie Greif and is based on the experiences of producer Albert S. Ruddy, played by Miles Teller. Ruddy begins his Hollywood career by creating the hit sitcom Hogan's Heroes before being given the chance to produce The Godfather.
However, he faces challenges from Gulf + Western's penny-pinching corporate head Charles Bluhdorn (Burn Gorman) and his anti-intellectual cohort Barry Lapidus (Colin Hanks).
With the help of Bettye McCartt (Juno Temple), Ruddy hires Francis Ford Coppola (Dan Fogler) to work on the script with Puzo (Patrick Gallo), navigating obstacles like budget overruns and the real-life Mafia's threats against the production. The show also covers the infamous behind-the-scenes tensions over casting and production decisions.
The Offer Plot
"The Offer" is a series inspired by the experiences of producer Albert S. Ruddy during the making of Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 film adaptation of Mario Puzo's novel about a Mafia family. The film faced various challenges, including opposition from Italian Americans and the Mafia, who allegedly threatened the production and interfered with deals.
Show creator Michael Tolkin was drawn to the project because of its compelling true story. Tolkin explained that for the characters involved, making or stopping the film was a matter of life and death, and Ruddy's statement that every day of making "The Godfather" was the worst day of his life convinced Tolkin that the story was perfect for a series.
Is The Offer Based on a True Story - FAQs
"The Offer" is a television series based on the experiences of producer Albert S. Ruddy during the making of Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 adaptation of Mario Puzo's novel, "The Godfather".
The Offer" chronicles the process of getting "The Godfather" movie off the ground, from optioning the rights on an unfinished manuscript, to casting, location scouting, and navigating the obstacles posed by the Mafia.
"The Offer" was created by Michael Tolkin and developed by Tolkin and Leslie Greif.
The Mafia played a significant role in the making of "The Godfather", threatening the production, interfering with deals between the production and actors, and attempting to prevent the movie from being made.
"The Offer" is a 10-episode series, with each episode ranging from approximately 47 to 64 minutes.