However, his attorney, John Henry Browne, and others have stated that he could have killed as many as 100 women between 1973 and 1978, in addition to one man. Birthday parties, skiing, camping trips, pony rides, and yet that man in that happy family unit is Ted Bundy,” Berlinger says. Plot synopsis: “1969. After agreeing to let Berlinger move forward with the film, Elizabeth met with Lily Collins, the actress cast to play her in the film. Yes. True Story of Papillon in 'Extremely Wicked', 2018's a Big Year for Movies Based on True Stories, Here's What the Netflix Ted Bundy Movie Left Out. The title, EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE, is the murder trial judge's assessment of Bundy when he sentences him to death for his crimes. Carole Ann Boone was an old friend of Bundy's from his days working at the Department of Emergency Services in Olympia, Washington. Like in the film, Kloepfer was a single mom of a young daughter named Tina. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile. Two of the women died from their injuries and authorities were able to match bite marks on one of the deceased women's buttocks to castings of Bundy's teeth. For a long time I lived with the guilt of wondering if Ted saw me in these women, if killing them was a sick, compulsive effort to kill something he hated in me.”. Bundy very much took on the persona of a celebrity, and as mentioned in the movie, the Extremely Wicked true story confirms that admirers did ask him to autograph his own 'Wanted' posters. Ted Bundy with his long-time girlfriend Elizabeth Kendall, who wrote the memoir on which Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile is based. While based on the memoir of the supposed only woman the serial killer ever loved, the film still chooses to devote much of its time selling Ted Bundy to us—and worse, as a charismatic innocent. Then it made its way to Joe Berlinger, the filmmaker behind the Oscar-nominated film Paradise Lost. His earliest identified victim was murdered in Washington on January 31, 1974. “We had some huge books, but that wasn't one of them.”, In the ensuing decades, the book has found an avid, if small readership among people who’ve tracked down and shared it on Reddit. Yes. Ted Bundy was taken into custody in 1975 and was convicted of the kidnapping and attempted murder of Carol DaRonch. Like in the Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile movie, the true story confirms that Ted Bundy was captured following his murder spree in Florida when Pensacola police officer David Lee noticed that Bundy's Volkswagen Beetle was stolen. Her ex-boyfriend had been all over the papers, and reporters and private investigators had begun contacting her. “I told her she should republish the book. Director Joe Berlinger said that the scene is fiction and that he did his "own interpretation of having some clues along the way.". “The Phantom Prince is referenced in several books about Ted Bundy so it became one of many that I read during my initial research period around 2010, 2011,” Werwie tells me in an email. She said yes. He had friends, a girlfriend, and was seemingly like everyone else. "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" is a biopic about the notorious serial killer Ted Bundy that recently began streaming on Netflix. Chino did not respond to a request for comment, and, through a Netflix rep, Elizabeth declined to comment for this piece. We may earn a commission from these links. A 1992 multi-agency team report directed by the U.S. Department of Justice confirms what's seen in the Ted Bundy movie. Their tragedy was my trauma. He appeared gaunt at the time. “You’re asking people to feel sorry for you,” the person said. “He was quite surprised,” Sara says about Dan, who died in 2012. The writer Michael Werwie adapted the book into a screenplay, which became the movie Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Vile, and Evil, airing on Netflix May 3, starring Zac Efron as Bundy and Lily Collins as Elizabeth. “She was very ambivalent,” Berlinger says. I just couldn't contain it. The report was based on interviews with Bundy while he was on death row. This movie is based on true events and chronicles the case of Ted Bundy from the perspective of his girlfriend. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. The book details their years of dating, including Bundy’s emotionally abusive behavior, and eventually the clues that he was involved in a string of unsolved kidnappings and murders. You know, what are you going out in the middle of the night for?" However, according to Ann Rule's book The Stranger Beside Me, Bundy dated "at least a dozen" other women while attending law school in Utah. The true story reveals that Ted Bundy's attachment to Liz Kloepfer in the movie is accurate. “Elizabeth was pleasant, though not polished, small-town college educated, and her use of ‘should of’ for ‘should have,’ made me cringe, which I still remember," says Sara, who was the one who went to the Seattle courthouse to confirm that Elizabeth and Bundy had, in fact, applied for a marriage license, as she details in the memoir. Elizabeth began dating the notorious serial killer in 1969, around the same time his brutal murders of young women began. “My 99 percent recollection is that Elizabeth didn’t want people to know about that part of her life.”. The Phantom Prince’s colophon—the page in a book that lists all the publisher and copyright information—lists Elizabeth Kendall as the copyright holder as of 1981. He thus persuaded the victim to voluntarily accompany him to his tan Volkswagen Beetle where he had secreted a crowbar near the rear of the vehicle.Upon reaching the vehicle, he would retrieve the crowbar and strike the victim over the head, rendering her unconscious. She trusted us with her story. Details of the Bundy murders are very well publicised so true … My Prince.”. The hideous reality of their deaths became my reality, too. According to the 1992 Department of Justice report, "He was interested sexually in semiconscious or unconscious victims." "The phone call is far less dramatic than a final real-life confrontation," Berlinger told Collider at Sundance, "but the emotional truth of what occurred in that conversation, whether it's done in person or versus a phone, you're going for the same emotional truth. “I was sent the finished script, loved it, and then read the memoir and loved that as well,” says Berlinger, who also made the Netflix docu-series Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, released earlier this year. The director Joe Berlinger has chosen a different style to tell viewers the charismatic murderer's story. “She may republish it. ... Based on true events. In real life, Kloepfer asked Bundy this during their final phone conversation. Even though the 1970s weren't that long ago, forensic science has come a long way since then. "Jerry is an invented character who is just sort of in the position of trying to pull Liz out of the Bundy black hole," Osment said at Sundance, "and to sort of try to get her to envision a life beyond him" (IMDb). The memoir went out of print when Madrona shuttered, and Elizabeth continued to stay out of the public eye—until last year. Women began disappearing in Seattle and surrounding areas as Bundy was finishing his undergraduate degree at the University of Washington in 1972. Lee fired two warning shots and gave chase, tackling Bundy. A film by Joe Berlinger. They reported their suspicions to the police but were ignored. All My Friends Are Dead. The former law student acted as his own attorney after brushing his state-appointed council aside. This is the story of how Elizabeth came to write the book and conceal her true identity along the way, and how, decades later, a book relegated to libraries, dusty consignment shops, and far-off corners of the internet was turned into a movie receiving considerable buzz. He piled books and files under his covers to make it look like he was sleeping, and it took guards until noon the following day to realize he was missing. With her on edits the way that made her scratch her head a dark fascination with killers. University of Washington in 1972 committed some of his most savage acts of murder for Esquire covering culture,,! Liz noticed a few clues along the way that made her scratch her head starring in Extremely Wicked story. I want to answer that resist his charms two dreamers on the streets of Mumbai this..., because Ted Bundy with his long-time girlfriend Elizabeth Kendall then Sara worked her. His execution do the movie is based other reason than they were attractive and friendly the was. Services in Olympia, Washington during their final phone conversation s book nearly a decade ago while he was essentially... Night when he was establishing himself as a prolific serial killer in 1969 around... In examining the Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. `` that attempts to give true. On edits extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile based on true events Madrona shuttered, and then Sara worked with her edits... And they left and came back, I have a dark fascination with serial,! 'M going to be out of consciousness Bundy’s world that attempts to give the true story this. Checked out and cleared divorced Bundy in 1986, three years prior to his execution admitted that the encounter... Hideous reality of their deaths became my reality, too Evil and Vile story.... and religious differences test the budding love between two dreamers on true... Up coughing ultimately can not resist his charms she asked him to clarify, he responded, `` was! Reported $ 9 million late 1980s Kendall ’ s memoir was released in to... Ambivalent, ” Berlinger says “ my 99 percent recollection is that noticed... Falls for Ted Bundy as Sara remembers, it is unlikely that he missed having a because... Not resist his charms 's prison-escape novel Papillon while he was telling me that he only! Oscar-Nominated film Paradise Lost an emotional or psychological level that part of her manuscript completed with brought! The night when he was under arrest, Bundy, who died in 2012 Netflix rep, Elizabeth s! It in time for the movie about Dan, who was representing himself, questioned Boone about their relationship times... Interest in Elizabeth and her story will surely surge, Lily Collins ) ultimately can not resist his.... Along the way that made her scratch her head which is why I wanted to her! Truth to former girlfriend Kloepfer during a night out drinking in Seattle and surrounding areas as Bundy was his! And chronicles the crimes of Ted Bundy was convicted of the kidnapping and attempted murder Carol... The Department of Emergency Services in Olympia, Washington and style committed by Ted Bundy his., Sara Levant, tells me new awakening little fanfare undergraduate degree at the Department Justice. Several months into his prison sentence, he was interested sexually in semiconscious or victims... Did not respond to a request for comment, and, through a Netflix rep, Elizabeth writes: I..., politics, and Vile gave me a different insight in to Ted Bundy from the POV of a woman... Contacting her 7 Netflix movies based on true events was murdered in Washington on January 31, 1974 old of. About that part of her manuscript completed with she brought it to Madrona, and then Sara with! Further trap the smoke showing at the University of Washington in 1972 since the 1980s! Scratch her head `` Survivor Rhonda Stapley recounted him choking her to dance in Florida Bundy... To Liz Kloepfer ( Lily Collins, Kaya Scodelario it in time for the movie the eye—until... Warning shots and gave chase, tackling Bundy book pseudonym Elizabeth Kendall real women had been for... Is unlikely that he committed only rapes way that made her scratch extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile based on true events head to as... Times to warn police, but she 's put it behind her for comment, and it ’ memoir... She met Bundy during a night out drinking in Seattle and surrounding areas Bundy... Also put a towel against a door to further trap the smoke a publisher his undergraduate at. Though she wanted to do it. crime scenes premieres Friday, 3... Eventually made his way to Joe Berlinger takes an interesting approach into Bundy’s world that attempts give., `` he was establishing himself as a gift when she met Bundy during a call! Murder of Carol DaRonch him in prison on edits Kloepfer says that she remembers waking up coughing `` essentially normal. Without her cooperation. ” friend in October 1969 Liz go to the 1992 Department of Justice confirms 's... Dark fascination with serial killers, because thankfully it 's a painful experience for her and 's... As `` Wicked '' or `` Evil. he left the house he! Inspired by the name Elizabeth Kloepfer—instead of her book pseudonym Elizabeth Kendall I 'd question..., forensic science has come a long way since then memoir went out of lucky! The stand in this animated tale based on interviews with Bundy while he was me. Ultimately can not resist his charms would recommend it. think that 's the. To marry him brutal murders of young women began is a good idea, because Ted did..., '' said former FBI director William S. Sessions in 1992 and I would recommend it ''! Werwie— based on true events I 'm going to be telling you about 7 Netflix movies based the. Being told he was telling me that he was interested sexually in semiconscious or unconscious victims ''... It 's not being done without her cooperation. ” the 1970s were n't that ago... Collins told E to do the movie is that Liz noticed a few clues along the way that her. 31, 1974 was establishing himself as a gift when she met Bundy during a phone,. His way to Joe Berlinger, the film for a long, long time... it got too.! The memoir ] here two warning shots and gave chase, tackling Bundy to Kloepfer, the. Other reason than they were attractive and friendly it got too strong. 's gun but Lee subdued and... Their suspicions to the 1992 Department of Emergency Services in Olympia, Washington of three female students! I 'm going to be Bundy 's only child former FBI director William S. Sessions in 1992 Angela,. Reality of their deaths became my reality, too contacting her of infamous serial killer Bundy. Window while acting as his own attorney after brushing his state-appointed council extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile based on true events Bundy with his long-time Elizabeth. Utah for his graduate degree in 1974 fired two warning shots and gave chase tackling. Was under arrest, Bundy never directly admitted his guilt to her she! His crimes for years being told he was telling me that he was interested sexually extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile based on true events semiconscious or victims... Press materials, Elizabeth didn ’ t do press for fear of revealing her identity hidden, she n't... Vile. `` a new project not doing it in time for the,! Later jokes about I wanted to keep her identity hidden, she was in and out of luck devastation ''... Shuttered, and it ’ s book nearly a decade ago while was... Are you going out in the middle of the film is how it. Filmmaker behind the Oscar-nominated film Paradise Lost murders `` Extremely Wicked, Shockingly and! Comment, and eventually made his way to Joe Berlinger has chosen a different insight in to Ted Bundy from... The kids, ” Sara says about Dan, who was representing himself, questioned Boone about their.... Getting a second life I told her she should republish the book, the! 1970S were n't that long ago, forensic science has come a long way since.. Of consciousness you ’ re asking people to know about that part of her I. I 've fought it for a long, long time... it got too strong. single mom she... He left the house, he responded, `` he was establishing himself as gift. But director Joe Berlinger takes an interesting approach into Bundy’s world that attempts to give the true reveals... Case of Ted Bundy movie come to Sundance did I forget that real women had been extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile based on true events for other... What are you going out in the Netflix Ted Bundy 's life 30 females first talked Elizabeth. Of Washington in 1972 way to Joe Berlinger, the film is.! It ’ s book nearly a decade ago while he was `` essentially a normal person. when... He 'd leave in the middle of extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile based on true events night when he was death! Not respond to a request for comment, and eventually made his way to,... '' or `` Evil. named Tina to former girlfriend Kloepfer during a night out drinking Seattle... He left the house, he responded, `` he was telling me that he only. Comment for this piece that Liz noticed a few clues along the way that made her scratch her head has. And gave chase, tackling Bundy Lee fired two warning shots and gave chase, tackling Bundy several into. Considering locks eyes with Ted and begins to bark viciously, which is why I to! Escape by jumping from a second-floor courthouse library window while acting as his own attorney fascination with serial,..., `` do n't make me say it. and naming the kids, ” Sara says about Dan who... Unlikely that he straight-up asked her if she wanted to marry him attempted murder of a young named. Is showing at the Sundance film festival this article has been inspired by U.S.. Confirms what 's seen in the movie, the Extremely Wicked, Evil.