What is War Dogs Based On?
War Dogs is a 2017 American biographical crime comedy-drama film directed by Todd Phillips and written by Phillips and Jason Smilovic. The film is based on a true story of two young men who become millionaires by supplying arms to the US military in Iraq.
The Real-Life Story
The film is inspired by the book "Fire Support: How Two Friends Took Down the Taliban, Hunted bin Laden, and Defied the US Government" by Ewen MacAskill, which tells the story of David Packouz, a Ukrainian-born Jewish Israeli who moves to the United States and becomes a mattress salesman, and Efraim Diveroli, a childhood friend from New Jersey.
The Armament of the US Military
The two friends discover an opportunity to supply the US military with arms and ammunition, despite having no experience in the industry. They start small, but soon their business takes off, and they become millionaires. They are contracted by the US government to supply weapons to the US military in Iraq, but their success is short-lived as they are eventually accused of supplying defective weapons and engaging in fraudulent activities.
The Film’s Script
The film’s script is written by Todd Phillips and Jason Smilovic, who took creative liberties to dramatize the story. The film follows the lives of David Packouz (played by Jonah Hill) and Efraim Diveroli (played by Miles Teller) as they start their arms dealing business. The film shows the highs and lows of their business, including their lavish lifestyle, romantic relationships, and encounters with shady characters.
Key Scenes and Characters
- The infamous "talking guns" scene: In the film, Packouz and Diveroli are shown discussing the possibility of getting rich by supplying arms to the US military. This scene is a nod to the absurdity of war and the way it can bring people together in unexpected ways.
- The character of Henry: Henry is a CIA operative played by Jon Bernthal, who is responsible for overseeing the US military’s arms deals in Iraq. He is shown to be ruthless and untrustworthy, adding to the tension and drama in the film.
- The character of Brad: Brad is a friend of Packouz’s who becomes involved in their arms dealing business. He is shown to be more naive and idealistic, which adds to the comedy in the film.
The Real-Life Consequences
In reality, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli’s business dealings were not as glamorous as depicted in the film. They were arrested in 2010 and charged with conspiracy to defraud the US government. Packouz eventually pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to 21 months in prison, while Diveroli was convicted of fraud and conspiracy and sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Criticisms and Controversies
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its comedic tone and performances, while others criticized its handling of serious themes such as war and fraud. The film has also been accused of trivializing the experiences of war veterans and soldiers. Additionally, the film’s portrayal of Henry, the CIA operative, has been criticized for perpetuating negative stereotypes about the CIA and its agents.
Conclusion
War Dogs is a film that takes creative liberties with a true story to create a humorous and dramatic tale of two young men who become embroiled in the world of arms dealing. While the film has its criticisms and controversies, it also raises important questions about the consequences of war and the ways in which individuals can become complicit in corrupt activities. Ultimately, the film is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of ethics in business.
Table: The Real-Life Consequences
| Character | Real-Life Consequences |
|---|---|
| David Packouz | Pleaded guilty to conspiracy and sentenced to 21 months in prison |
| Efraim Diveroli | Convicted of fraud and conspiracy and sentenced to 30 months in prison |
Bullets List: Key Takeaways
- War Dogs is a biographical crime comedy-drama film based on the true story of two young men who become millionaires by supplying arms to the US military in Iraq.
- The film takes creative liberties with the real-life story to create a humorous and dramatic tale.
- The film has been criticized for trivializing the experiences of war veterans and soldiers.
- The film raises important questions about the consequences of war and the ways in which individuals can become complicit in corrupt activities.
- The film is a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed and the importance of ethics in business.
