Is War Dogs Really Based on a True Story?
War Dogs, a 2017 American action-comedy film, tells the story of two friends, Efraim Diveroli and Daniel Chontos, who become wealthy by smuggling arms to the US military. The movie has been praised for its portrayal of the arms trade and the lives of its characters. But is the movie really based on a true story? Let’s dive in and find out.
The Inspiration Behind the Film
War Dogs is inspired by the real-life experiences of Efraim Diveroli, a former arms dealer, and his business partner, David Packouz. Diveroli and Packouz were both in their early twenties when they started their arms-dealing business. They became successful, earning millions of dollars by smuggling weapons to the US military.
The True Story
According to Diveroli and Packouz, their arms-dealing business was legit, and they worked closely with the US government to supply weapons to the military. However, their success was short-lived, and they were eventually caught by the authorities. Diveroli was sentenced to 4 years in prison, while Packouz pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and received a 13-month sentence.
Key Differences Between the Film and Reality
While the movie takes creative liberties with the story, there are several key differences between the film and reality. Here are a few:
- The Business: In the movie, Efraim and Chontos become wealthy by smuggling arms to the US military. In reality, Diveroli and Packouz’s business was legit, and they worked closely with the US government to supply weapons.
- The Characters: The movie portrays Efraim and Chontos as friends who start a business together. In reality, Diveroli and Packouz were business partners, but they were not close friends.
- The Arrest: In the movie, Efraim and Chontos are arrested and imprisoned for their crimes. In reality, Diveroli was sentenced to 4 years in prison, while Packouz pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and received a 13-month sentence.
The Movie’s Portrayal of the Arms Trade
The movie has been praised for its portrayal of the arms trade and its impact on the characters’ lives. However, some critics have argued that the film glorifies the arms trade and its characters. Here are a few key points to consider:
- Glorification: The movie portrays Efraim and Chontos as successful entrepreneurs who are making a fortune by selling arms. While this is true, the film also shows the negative consequences of their actions, including the harm caused to innocent people.
- Real-Life Consequences: The film does not show the real-life consequences of the arms trade, including the widespread violence and human rights abuses that are often associated with it.
- US Government Involvement: The movie portrays the US government as being involved in the arms trade, which is true. However, the film does not show the full extent of the government’s involvement, including the millions of dollars in taxpayer funds that are used to purchase weapons.
Conclusion
War Dogs is a movie based on a true story, but it is not entirely accurate. While the film takes creative liberties with the story, it does capture the essence of the arms trade and its impact on the characters’ lives. The movie has been praised for its portrayal of the arms trade, but some critics have argued that it glorifies the trade and its characters. Ultimately, the movie is a fictionalized account of real-life events, and it should be viewed with a critical eye.
