6 details in HBO's 'Watchmen' that are based on the real-life Tulsa Race Massacre

Kim RenfroJun 2, 2021, 20:56 IST

The real Dreamland Theater captured in a historical photo, and the Dreamland Theater as seen in HBO's "Watchmen."Greenwood Cultural Center/Getty Images and HBO

HBO's "Watchmen" used historical accounts of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre for its opening scene.
The details that were in the show include the names of local businesses and presence of planes.
See six ways that "Watchmen's" fictional scene included the real details of the massacre.

"Watchmen" opens with a silent movie about a Black marshal who is opposed to "mob justice." Before the Tulsa Race Massacre, the city had been dealing with escalating mob lynchings.

The cold open scene in HBO's "Watchmen." HBO

"Watchmen" opens with a silent movie about a Black marshal who is opposed to "mob justice." Before the Tulsa Race Massacre, the city had been dealing with escalating mob lynchings.

The scene in "Watchmen" continues, revealing that a boy is watching that silent movie inside the Dreamland Theater - a real business that was burned down in the 1921 massacre.

The Williams Dreamland Theater as seen in "Watchmen." HBO

The scene in "Watchmen" continues, revealing that a boy is watching that silent movie inside the Dreamland Theater - a real business that was burned down in the 1921 massacre.

The father (a character named O.B. Williams) is dressed in a World War I uniform to signify the real ex-soldiers who tried defending their neighborhood.

The opening scene of "Watchmen." Mark Hill/HBO

The newspaper seen briefly in "Watchmen" is likely meant to be one of the three local papers in Tulsa, with a headline hinting at the event that sparked the 1921 massacre.

The cold open scene in HBO's "Watchmen." HBO

The newspaper seen briefly in "Watchmen" is likely meant to be one of the three local papers in Tulsa, with a headline hinting at the event that sparked the 1921 massacre.

The Elliot and Hooker clothing store was also a real building in the former Greenwood district.

The cold open scene in HBO's "Watchmen." HBO

In "Watchmen," you also see men shooting down civilians from a plane, as well as explosives dropped on buildings - yet another real-life detail from the 1921 Tulsa Massacre.

A plane flying overhead in "Watchmen." HBO

In "Watchmen," you also see men shooting down civilians from a plane, as well as explosives dropped on buildings - yet another real-life detail from the 1921 Tulsa Massacre.

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6 details in HBO's 'Watchmen' that are based on the real-life Tulsa Race Massacre

"Watchmen" opens with a silent movie about a Black marshal who is opposed to "mob justice." Before the Tulsa Race Massacre, the city had been dealing with escalating mob lynchings.

The scene in "Watchmen" continues, revealing that a boy is watching that silent movie inside the Dreamland Theater - a real business that was burned down in the 1921 massacre.

The father (a character named O.B. Williams) is dressed in a World War I uniform to signify the real ex-soldiers who tried defending their neighborhood.

The newspaper seen briefly in "Watchmen" is likely meant to be one of the three local papers in Tulsa, with a headline hinting at the event that sparked the 1921 massacre.

The Elliot and Hooker clothing store was also a real building in the former Greenwood district.

In "Watchmen," you also see men shooting down civilians from a plane, as well as explosives dropped on buildings - yet another real-life detail from the 1921 Tulsa Massacre.