The True Story of Yellowstone: How Accurate Is Taylor Sheridan’s Western?
Taylor Sheridan’s modern Western Yellowstone has not only led the revival of the Western genre, but is also one of the most successful television shows of our modern era. The show’s massive success and its influence on real-life locations have led some to question how realistic Yellowstone’s depiction of ranch life really is. It certainly seems authentic to watch Yellowstone, which is about to release its fifth season, part 2, on your TV screen, but that doesn’t mean it’s true to real life.
Yellowstone, starring Kevin Costner, tells the story of the warlike Dutton family, led by John Dutton, patriarch and owner of Yellowstone Ranch in Montana, the largest ranch in the state. The Dutton family fights with each other, developers, tribal nations, and others to keep their ranch intact as the modern world threatens to destroy their traditional way of life. There are many things that Yellowstone gets right about ranching, especially the Dutton family’s pride in their ranch and farming. However, there are many elements that are exaggerated in the show and are completely inaccurate to real life.
Yellowstone is not based on a specific true story – but it does have real-life inspiration
Of course, Yellowstone is not an adaptation of a true story. The Dutton family are fictional characters and their story is entirely fictional. However, their general story and family dynamics could be taken straight from any ranching family in America. Like the cast of Yellowstone, ranching is a family business, with ranches passed down from generation to generation. Depending on the size of the farm and how successful it is, this can mean a lot of money flowing back and forth, and a ranching family can become quite wealthy within a few generations, although this is rare.
While the Duttons’ family drama is exaggerated for a TV series, real ranching families can disagree, fight over arguments, and have different ideas about how best to run a family business.
Working closely with family can lead to friction. While the Duttons’ family drama is exaggerated for a TV series, real ranching families can disagree, fight over arguments, and have different ideas about how best to run a family business. There is no separation between family and business, or business and family; it’s all intertwined. It’s a recipe for tension and can certainly create cracks in relationships. However, the drama of Yellowstone is even more heightened than reality.
