Movie All The Money In The World True Story
The movie All The Money In The World is a 2017 crime thriller directed by Ridley Scott and stars Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg, and Christopher Plummer. The movie is based on the true story of the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, the grandson of billionaire oil tycoon J. Paul Getty.
The Kidnapping
In 1973, 16-year-old John Paul Getty III was kidnapped in Rome by a group of Italian criminals. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of $17 million from J. Paul Getty, but he refused to pay, believing it would set a bad precedent for his other grandchildren. He also claimed that he had no money to spare, despite being one of the richest men in the world at the time.
The kidnappers then sent a letter to a newspaper in Rome, along with a lock of John Paul's hair and a threatening message. The police were able to locate John Paul's whereabouts and his captors, but negotiations for his release went on for months. During this time, John Paul was repeatedly beaten and tortured by his captors.
The Negotiations
J. Paul Getty eventually agreed to pay a ransom, but only $2.2 million, which was the maximum amount that he could claim as a tax deduction. He also lent the money to his son, John Paul Getty Jr., with the condition that he pay it back with interest.
The kidnappers initially rejected the offer, but eventually settled for a lower amount of $3.2 million. John Paul was finally released after five months in captivity, but he had been permanently scarred by his ordeal. He suffered from drug addiction, and died at the age of 54 from a drug-induced stroke.
The Movie
The movie All The Money In The World was based on these events, and focused on the efforts of John Paul's mother, Gail Harris, to secure his release. Michelle Williams played Gail, while Mark Wahlberg played a former CIA operative who was hired by J. Paul Getty to help negotiate with the kidnappers.
The movie was originally set to star Kevin Spacey as J. Paul Getty, but following allegations of sexual misconduct against Spacey, his scenes were reshot with Christopher Plummer in the role. Ridley Scott was able to complete the reshoots in just nine days, and the movie was released on schedule.
The Legacy
The kidnapping of John Paul Getty III remains one of the most notorious crimes of the 20th century, and has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and movies. It also had a lasting impact on the Getty family, with J. Paul Getty becoming increasingly reclusive and paranoid in his later years.
John Paul's mother, Gail Harris, became an advocate for victims' rights and worked to improve the criminal justice system. She passed away in 2017, just months before the release of the movie All The Money In The World.
Conclusion
The true story of the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III is a harrowing tale of greed, betrayal, and the enduring power of family. The movie All The Money In The World does an excellent job of bringing this story to life, and is a must-see for anyone interested in true crime or historical dramas.