<P> The film is loosely based on the actual crimes attributed to an unidentified serial killer known as the Phantom Killer ; it claims that `` the incredible story you are about to see is true , where it happened and how it happened ; only the names have been changed . '' The actual Phantom attacked eight people between February 22 and May 3 , 1946 in or near the town of Texarkana , Texas , which is on the Texas border with Arkansas . Most of the murders occurred in rural areas just outside Texarkana , in Bowie County , Texas , while the film has them occurring in Arkansas . However , the general outline of the murders largely follows reality , with mostly minor artistic license taken . As in the film , the real killer was never identified nor apprehended . </P>
<P> The film is loosely based on the actual crimes attributed to an unidentified serial killer known as the Phantom Killer ; it claims that `` the incredible story you are about to see is true , where it happened and how it happened ; only the names have been changed . '' The actual Phantom attacked eight people between February 22 and May 3 , 1946 in or near the town of Texarkana , Texas , which is on the Texas border with Arkansas . Most of the murders occurred in rural areas just outside Texarkana , in Bowie County , Texas , while the film has them occurring in Arkansas . However , the general outline of the murders largely follows reality , with mostly minor artistic license taken . As in the film , the real killer was never identified nor apprehended . </P>
was the town that dreaded sundown based on a true story
was the town that dreaded sundown based on a true story
loosely based
loosely based