How True is the Movie War Dogs?
Released in 2016, "War Dogs" is a biographical crime comedy-drama film directed by Todd Phillips. The movie tells the story of two young entrepreneurs, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, who become major arms dealers in the 2000s. The film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike, with some praising its entertaining portrayal of a true story, while others criticized its factual inaccuracies and embellishments.
Direct Answer: How True is the Movie War Dogs?
To answer this question, let’s take a closer look at the facts and compare them to the film. According to an interview with David Packouz, the film’s protagonist, the movie takes creative liberties with his and Efraim’s story. While the basic plot is true, many details have been altered or fabricated for entertainment purposes.
Factual Inaccuracies:
Here are some of the most notable factual inaccuracies in the movie:
- Packouz’s Early Life: The film depicts Packouz as a wealthy and well-connected individual, which is not entirely accurate. In reality, he grew up in a lower-middle-class family and struggled financially.
- Meeting Efraim: The movie shows Packouz and Efraim meeting in a strip club, while in reality, they met through mutual friends.
- Business Partnership: The film portrays Packouz and Efraim’s partnership as a sudden and spontaneous decision, while in reality, they had known each other for years and had worked together on several projects.
- Arms Deal: The movie exaggerates the scope of their arms deal with the Afghan government, with Packouz claiming they supplied 20% of the country’s military hardware. In reality, the deal was much smaller, and the movie takes creative liberties to make it more dramatic.
- IRS Raid: The film shows the IRS raiding Packouz’s home and office, while in reality, the agency never searched his properties.
- Government Investigation: The movie portrays the US government launching an investigation into Packouz and Efraim’s arms deals, which Packouz denies ever happening.
Factual Accuracies:
Despite the many inaccuracies, the film does get some facts right:
- David Packouz’s Military Background: The movie correctly portrays Packouz as a former funeral director and an aspiring music producer who worked as a licensed pyrotechnician in the military.
- Efraim Diveroli’s Criminal Past: The film accurately shows Diveroli’s history of committing small-time crimes and serving time in prison.
- The Rise and Fall of AEY Inc.: The movie depicts the meteoric rise and sudden downfall of AEY Inc., the arms dealing company co-founded by Packouz and Diveroli.
- The Involvement of US Military: The film shows the US military’s involvement in the arms deals, which Packouz confirmed in an interview.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while the movie "War Dogs" takes creative liberties with the true story of David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, it does get some facts right. The film’s factual inaccuracies and embellishments are evident, and audiences should take the story with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, the movie does an entertaining job of capturing the essence of the real-life events, and fans of biographical crime dramas will likely find it engaging.
