“Killers of the Flower Moon” is based on one of the most heinous incidences in the history of indigenous peoples in America.

The epic movie, directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone, is based on “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” (2017), a nonfiction book by New Yorker magazine writer David Grann.

The book and movie are about the deaths of nine and possibly as many as 100 wealthy Osage Nation Indians who were allegedly killed for their land rights during the 1920s oil boom in Osage County, Okla.

The Osage, many of whom were women who had married white men, were said to be have been murdered to obtain “headrights,” or a percentage of the lucrative profits flowing from the oil well heads of oil wells drilled on their land.

“The Killers of the Flower Moon” tells a story of hired guns, dynamite, poison and legal chicanery to transfer and steal real estate and oil-drilling rights from the Osage Indians.

The title of the movie and book is derived from “The Old Farmer’s Almanac” for the name given by American tribes to the full moon in May, known as the “Flower Moon” because it’s seen as a harbinger of flowers blooming and the arrival of the spring season. The Osage observed the arrival of purple flowers in springtime that were soon overshadowed by larger plants, hence, “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

At the center of the scheme to seize the headrights from the Osage Indians is William King Hale (Robert De Niro). Hale enlists the aid of his nephew and World War I veteran Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio). Hale urges Burkhart to marry an Osage woman, Mollie (Lily Gladstone), to weave his web of intrigue.

The deaths of Osage persons keeps increasing. The Osage Tribal Council sends a delegation to Washington, D.C., to request a federal investigation. A bureau of investigations official (Jesse Plemons) arrives.

In supporting roles in the film are Brendan Fraser, John Lithgow, Tantoo Cardinal, Janae Collins, Jillian Dion, Cara Jade Myers, Jason Isbell, Louie Cancelmi, William Belleau, Scott Shepherd, Yancey Red Corn and Tatanka Means.

The film references the 1921 Greenwood, Tulsa, Okla., race massacre of African-Americans.

Scorsese (14-time Oscar nominee; Oscar recipient, director, “The Departed,” 2007) directs with a masterful touch, resulting in a big Hollywood movie that is as intriguing as it is satisfying. The scenes, actors and dialogue are allowed to unfold and breathe in a style that is as traditional as it is old-fashioned. There are big set pieces, often startling action, and intimate dialogue scenes.

The movie is worth viewing not only for its little-known but important subject matter and the cinematic majesty of Scorsese’s direction, but for several outstanding actor performances.

De Niro (Eight-time Oscar nominee; two-time Oscar recipient: actor, “Raging Bull,” 1981; supporting actor, “The Godfather, Part II,”1975) reclaims his power as a Hollywood legendary actor. De Niro is gentle in his approach, but also resolute and firm, portraying the duality of the role. Look for a supporting actor Oscar nomination for De Niro.

DiCaprio (Seven-time Oscar nominee; Oscar recipient, actor, “The Revenant,” 2016), with lips set in a terse scowl, goes from somewhat innocent young man to partner-in-crime willing to agree to go along with De Niro’s nudging to stop at nothing in the name of money and power. Look for an actor Oscar nomination for DiCaprio.

Gladstone (“Certain Women,” 2016; TV’s “Billions,” 2019-23) is a revelation with a subtlety that is such a disarming portrayal and so realistic as to be almost imperceptible. Look for an actress Oscar nomination for Gladstone.

There should be multiple Oscar nominations for “Killers of the Flower Moon”: director (Scorsese), screenplay (Scorsese, Eric Roth, Oscar recipient, “Forrest Gump,” 1995), editing (Thelma Schoonmaker, a possible record-breaking ninth nomination), cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto, production designer Jack Fisk, costume designer Jacqueline West and soundtrack (the late Robbie Robertson).

“Killers of the Flower Moon” does what Hollywood does best: take an obscure subject in history and render it large on the movie screen. This is cinema at cinema’s best. Don’t miss it.

“Killers of the Flower Moon,”

MPAA rated R (Restricted Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.) for violence, some grisly images and language; Genre: Crime, Drama, History, Western; Run Time: 3 hours, 26 minutes. Distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

“Killers of the Flower Moon” concludes with the sounds of rain, crickets and other natural phenomena. We are, as Mollie asks Ernest, to sit quietly and listen. The film is dedicated to Robbie Robertson (1943-1993), who died two months before the film’s release. Filming was in Osage County, Pawhuska, Fairfax and Bartlesville, Oklahoma. The Sioux language is spoken with some subtitles included.

At The Movies:

“Killers of the Flower Moon“ was seen in Imax at AMC, AMC Center Valley 16. The special format is not necessary for the film, which can be enjoyed in the regular format.

Theatrical Movie Domestic Weekend Box Office,

Nov. 3-5: “Five Nights at Freddy’s” stayed in place at No. 1, with $19.3 million in 3,789 theaters, $113.6 million, two weeks.

2. “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” stayed in place at No. 2 with $13.5 million in 3,604 theaters, $166 million, four weeks. 3. “Killers of the Flower Moon” stayed in place, $7 million in 3,786 theaters, $52.3 million, two weeks. 4. “Priscilla” moved up 16 places, with $5 million in 1,359 theaters, $5.3 million, two weeks. 5. “Radical,” opening, $2.7 million in 419 theaters. 6. “The Exorcist: Believer” dropped one place, $2.1 million in 2,429 theaters, $63.1 million, four weeks. 7. “After Death,” $2 million in 2,730 theaters, $9 million, two weeks. 8. “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” dropped two places, $1.9 million in 2,404 theaters, $62 million, six weeks. 9. “What Happens Later,” opening, $1.5 million. 10. “Freelance” dropped two places, $1.2 million in 2,057 theaters, $4.2 million, two weeks.

Movie box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Nov. 5 is subject to change.

Unreel,

Nov. 10:

“The Marvels,”

PG-13: Nia DaCosta directs Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, Teyonah Parris and Samuel L. Jackson in the Action, Adventure, Fantasy. The super powers of Carol Danvers, Kamala Khan and Monica Rambeau get tangled up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

“The Holdovers,”

R: Alexander Payne directs Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Carrie Preston in the Comedy, Drama. An irascible prep school teacher stays on campus over the holidays to supervise a student who has no family.

“Journey to Bethlehem,”

PG: Adam Anders directs Antonio Banderas, Milo Manheim, Fiona Paloma, Geno Segers in the Adventure, Family, Musical, Adventure, Family, Musical. The live-action Christmas musical tells the Bible‘s New Testament Nativity Story.

Movie opening information from Internet Movie Database as of Nov. 5 is subject to change.

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