Franklin

🎬 Franklin (2024) – Behind the Scenes

Apple TV+ brings to life the remarkable story of Benjamin Franklin, starring Michael Douglas as the legendary polymath, inventor, and diplomat. The series is based on Stacy Schiff’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America.

🧐 Who Was Benjamin Franklin?

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) was a polymath, inventor, scientist, writer, and diplomat, playing a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Known for his experiments with electricity, he was also a founding father of the United States and helped draft the Declaration of Independence.

In Franklin (2024), the series focuses on his mission to France in 1776, where—at age 70—he successfully secured French support for the American colonies. His charm, wit, and intelligence made him a celebrity in Paris, where he navigated complex political landscapes to win France’s backing—ultimately leading to America’s victory over Britain.

🎥 Fun Fact:

📌 Franklin (2024) marks Michael Douglas’ return to television after nearly 50 years, following his breakthrough in The Streets of San Francisco (1972-1976). The show also features an international cast to reflect Franklin’s time in France.

📌 How Accurate is Franklin (2024)?

The series focuses on Benjamin Franklin’s crucial diplomatic mission to France in 1776, where he secured French military and financial support for the American Revolution. But how historically accurate is it?

🔹 Real or Fiction? → The series is grounded in historical events, particularly Franklin’s time in Paris, but certain dialogues and interactions may be dramatized.
🔹 True Figures vs. Fictional Characters → Franklin, King Louis XVI, and French officials like Comte de Vergennes are real figures, while some minor characters might be fictional.
🔹 Events & Dialogue → The negotiations, political intrigue, and court dynamics are historically documented, but some scenes are likely reconstructed for dramatic effect.

✅ What’s Historically Accurate:

✔️ Franklin’s popularity in France—he was seen as an Enlightenment figure and a symbol of liberty.
✔️ The French alliance, which provided troops, weapons, and naval support, was essential to America’s victory in the Revolutionary War.
✔️ His tactical use of diplomacy—Franklin charmed the French elite, using wit and strategy to win their trust.

❌ What’s Fictionalized:

❌ Dramatic liberties in dialogue and interpersonal conflicts may be taken.
❌ Some personal relationships might be exaggerated for storytelling purposes.
❌ The timeline of events may be compressed to fit the narrative structure.

📢 Final Verdict: A True Story or Just Inspired?

While Franklin (2024) stays true to key historical events, it likely takes creative liberties to enhance drama. However, it serves as a fascinating look at how one man’s diplomatic genius helped shape the United States.