Is War Dogs: True Story?
War Dogs is a 2017 American black comedy-crime thriller film directed by Todd Phillips and starring Jonah Hill and Miles Teller. The movie revolves around two friends, Isaac "Ehron" Greenwald and Ilan Ben-David, who become arms dealers, delivering weapons to the American troops in Afghanistan. While the film is based on the true story of Eran Croitoru, Lior Ashkenazi, and S.A.A.B in the 1980s, it takes significant creative liberties. So, let’s dive into the differences between the movie and reality.
The Inspiration for War Dogs
In a 2016 article published in The New York Times, Eran Croitoru, the Israeli merchant who inspired the movie War Dogs, shared his personal story. Born and raised in Israel, Eran was a successful businessmen who made a living as a middleman for foreign arms dealers. During his teenage years, Eran would often accompany his fathers, who were traders for the Israeli military.
Fast forward to the 1990s, when Croitoru was involved with Lior Ashkenazi, a former soldier of the Israeli Defense Forces, in a small company they called S.A.A.B (Systems Analysis and Operations Branch). The two planned to supply arms and logistics to the American forces, with the help of friends and acquaintances from Ukraine, Russia, and Latin America.
Comparing the Movie to the Actual Events
While War Dogs is loosely based on this true story, many essential details were altered for dramatization. To give you an idea:
| Scene/Difference | Movies | Actual Story |
|---|---|---|
| Eran’s Early Years | Eran as the son of a well-respected businessman | Croitoru’s father was unknown |
| Lior and Eran’s Connection | Lior as Eran’s friend and SAA’s partner | The film exaggerated their friendship, focusing on their partnership and entrepreneurial spirit |
| Illegality | The arms delivered were illegal and heavily bootlegged | According to Croitoru, around 90% of his company’s operations were entirely legal |
| Size | The company grew into hundreds of employees | Croitoru’s company SAA remained small, operating largely through personal connections |
Key differences between the film’s narrative and the true events include:
- The main characters’ backgrounds, connections, and motivations are overstated or invented
- Legal considerations were grossly misrepresented; actual supply chain operations were lawful.
- The business of SAA was remarkably lawful; around 10% of their sales would be considered illegal. Other details, such as logistics and transportation, remain fuzzy in the film
The film’s focus on dark humor and action took creativity liberties, altering facts such as the company size and criminal implications. However, War Dogs highlights genuine aspects of the original operation, like the network formed between Eran and the various suppliers.
Controversies and Critics Reviews
War Dogs was an unexpected box office hit despite receiving mixed reviews. It received a 41/100 score on the aggregating website Rotten Tomatoes, with 43% of critics being polarized. Several criticized the film’s overly liberal approach to storytelling and representation. RogerEbert.com stated the war film "tries too hard to be both humorous and dark, resulting in inconsistencies."
Conclusion: Separate Fact from Fiction
Even though War Dogs, with its entertaining plot twists, captures the essence of Israeli arms dealers, significant fictionalizations were made to bolster the narrative. Cinephiles, war enthusiasts, and film history buffs should recognize these variances. Eran’s real-life story contrasts starkly from the movie’s narrative: A legitimate business with strong contacts and a relatively honest background, rather than an entirely criminal operation.
Ultimately, War Dogs serves as an homage to real events while diverging from the historical story. Fact check thoroughly, and remember, for entertainment purposes only: you’re watching a distorted account. Don’t confuse the 92-minute film with real-time history.
Bonus Insight
For a firsthand exploration of the actual arms trades, consider reading books "The War on Waste" by Tom Sherbourne or "Licensed Outlaws" by Timothy Silver. These narratives may offer a more gritty and accurate look into the world of illicit war profiteering, devoid of Hollywood embellishments and sensationalism.
Take control of your entertainment options – separate fact from fiction.
