Ron Stallworth has revealed just how much of Blackkklansman, which tells the story of his covert infiltration of the Ku Klux Klan during the 1970s, is actually true.
I recently had the chance to speak to Stallworth over the phone about the Spike Lee directed drama, which has been widely praised as one of the filmmaker’s finest ever films, during which time I asked the above question.
Stallworth didn’t want to go into specifics, as he was wary of he might “spoil everything for readers,” but he did note, “I will just say there was no Patrice. There was no love interest.”
Stallworth then decided to give an actual percentage of just how true “Blackkklansman” is. “In terms of how truthful it is, if I had to put a percentage on it I would say 90% of my story is in there. And they spice it up with about 10% of other things.”
But Stallworth actually has a stellar suggestion for those of you that are wondering just how truthful Spike Lee’s cinematic adaptation of his book really is.
“I would urge people to read my book before going to see the movie,” Stallworth explained.
“Because then you know what actually happened vs what you are seeing on the screen. Too many people judge my story based on what they have seen on the screen. And it is not accurate. So again, read the book first and then go see the movie.”
You can do just that now, as “Blackkklansman” is finally in in cinemas across the country.
You can also hear Ron Stallworth talk about “Blackkklansman,” the case, and his career as a detective at a special screening of the film at Brooklyn’s Alamo Drafthouse on Thursday evening. Stallworth is also touring other Drafthouses across the country over the next few weeks, too.
