Is the movie war dogs a true story?

Is the Movie War Dogs a True Story?

The 2016 comedy-drama film War Dogs tells the true story of two friends who become arms dealers in the 1980s, selling weapons to the United States military and American corporations. The film, starring Jonah Hill and Miles Teller, is loosely based on the real-life story of David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, two childhood friends who became involved in the arms trade. In this article, we will delve into the true story behind the movie and compare it to the film’s depiction.

The Real David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli

David Packouz was born in 1984 in Ukraine and immigrated to the United States with his family at a young age. He grew up in a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York, and developed an interest in martial arts and music at a young age. After attending the University of Pennsylvania, Packouz became a sound engineer and began to earn a good living. Meanwhile, Efraim Diveroli was born in 1980 in Belarus and also immigrated to the United States. Diveroli grew up in a family of small arms dealers and began his involvement in the arms trade at a young age.

The Formation of A and E International

Packouz and Diveroli first met in the late 1990s when Packouz was working as a sound engineer for a Russian wedding in Las Vegas. They became fast friends, and Diveroli, who was already involved in the arms trade, took Packouz under his wing and began to teach him about the business. In the early 2000s, they formed a company called A and E International, which would become a leading supplier of small arms and ammunition to the United States military and American corporations.

The Rise and Fall of A and E International

A and E International quickly gained a reputation for being a reliable and aggressive supplier of arms. They made millions of dollars selling weapons to the military, including small arms, mortars, and sniper rifles. However, their business practices were often shadier than they seemed, and they were known for paying bribes and ignoring strict regulations to get their weapons to the military and private companies.

The Iraq War and the Fallujah Contracts

In the mid-2000s, Packouz and Diveroli landed a lucrative contract to supply small arms to the United States military for use in the Iraq War. They were responsible for delivering over 40 million rounds of ammunition and tens of thousands of small arms, including AK-47s and M16s, to the military bases in Iraq. However, the contracts were plagued by controversy, with allegations of bribes and kickbacks. In 2009, the US government seized a large shipment of A and E International’s arms in the port of Rotterdam, citing concerns over the safety and authenticity of the weapons.

The Bust and the Trial

In 2010, the FBI raided Packouz’s house and arrested him and Diveroli on charges of smuggling and selling weapons illegally. The trial was highly publicized, with many considering Packouz to be an unlucky bystander caught up in Diveroli’s shadier dealings. Packouz testified against Diveroli, who was found guilty of smuggling and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Packouz avoided jail time and agreed to cooperate with the authorities, turning over his company to the government.

How the Movie War Dogs Deviates from the Real Story

The movie War Dogs takes some liberties with the true story, but it captures the spirit and chaos of Packouz and Diveroli’s business dealings. Here are a few key differences between the movie and the real story:

• Time frame: The movie compresses the timeline of Packouz and Diveroli’s dealings, making it seem like they became arms dealers over the course of a few years. In reality, they were involved in the arms trade for over a decade.
• Charisma of the protagonists: The movie portrays Jonah Hill’s character, David Packouz, as more introverted and reluctant, whereas in reality, Packouz was more outgoing and proactive in his business dealings. Miles Teller’s character, Efraim Diveroli, is exaggerated for comedic effect, while in reality, Diveroli was a more sinister and calculating individual.
• The scale of the contracts: The movie downplays the scale of Packouz and Diveroli’s contracts, making them seem smaller than they were. In reality, A and E International was one of the largest suppliers of arms to the US military, responsible for delivering millions of dollars’ worth of weapons.
• The relationship between Packouz and Diveroli: The movie portrays the two friends as equals, whereas in reality, Diveroli was the dominant force behind the business, and Packouz was often more of a satellite figure.

Conclusion

While the movie War Dogs takes some liberties with the true story of David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, it captures the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the arms trade. Packouz and Diveroli’s story is a fascinating example of how two individuals, with little experience in the arms trade, can quickly become embroiled in the complex and dangerous world of international arms dealing. The film’s deviations from the real story add a layer of humor and intrigue to the narrative, but it is ultimately the shocking and disturbing true events that make War Dogs such a compelling and unforgettable film.

Table: Comparing the Movie and Real Story

Table: A and E International’s Contracts

Note: The contract values are estimates and may vary depending on the source.