Is Fences Based On A True Story? (2024)

Fences is a heartfelt movie that, at its center, is about human struggles and family dynamics, leading some to believe that it could be based on a true story. The 2016 film, directed by Denzel Washington, takes place in Pittsburgh in the 1950s and stars Washington as Troy Maxson and Viola Davis as Rose Lee Maxson, a financially struggling middle-aged married couple whose son aspires to be a professional football player. However, Troy is hesitant to sign off on his son's dreams, given that his own aspiration to be a Major League Baseball player failed when the color barrier didn't drop until he was too old to play professionally.

Following the premiere of Fences in December 2016, the movie received a flood of critical acclaim, and it performed decently against its budget at the box office. Critics were impressed by Washington's and Davis's performances, Washington's direction, and the overall pacing of the story. As a result, Fences gained a lot of recognition during award season and ultimately received four Academy Award nominations, with Davis winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film at the 89th Academy Awards. The attention surrounding the movie wasn't too surprising, especially given the inspiration behind it.

Fences Is Based On A 1985 Pulitzer Prize-Winning Play

Playwright August Wilson wrote Fences, a play that was a part of Wilson's "Pittsburgh Cycle" series, in 1985, which served as the basis for Denzel Washington's 2016 film. The filmmakers used Wilson's playscript to stay loyal to the original story, so Wilson is the sole writer credited for Fences. The 1985 play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1987 and the Tony Award for Best Play in the same year. As for the inspiration behind the stage production, Wilson drew from the experiences of African Americans in Pittsburgh during the 1950s to craft the story, but the characters are not strictly based on real-life people. Related: Denzel Washington's 10 Best Movies, According To Rotten Tomatoes

Fences' Troy Maxson Is Loosely Inspired By Boxer Charley Burley

Even though Denzel Washington's character in Fences is not a depiction of a real-life person, August Wilson was a little bit inspired by Charley Burley, a boxer, to create Troy Maxson. According to Black Perspectives, Burley was Wilson's older neighbor growing up, who served as a surrogate father figure to him because Wilson and his own dad often butted heads. Burley was a phenomenal fighter with an impressive winning record. Unfortunately, financial struggles and color barriers forced him to retire and work as a garbage man in Pittsburgh, similar to Troy in Fences.

Source: Black Perspectives