What is War Dogs Based On?
War Dogs, a biographical crime comedy-drama film, tells the true story of two young men who become arms dealers for the US military in Afghanistan. The film, directed by Todd Phillips, stars Jonah Hill and Miles Teller as the main characters, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, respectively. But what is War Dogs based on, and how closely does the film stick to the true story?
The Real-Life Inspiration
War Dogs is based on the non-fiction book "Fire Sale: A Fashionable Adventures" by Guy Lawson, which chronicles the experiences of David Packouz, a former furniture maker who becomes an arms dealer, and Efraim Diveroli, a small-time arms dealer from Brooklyn. The book details the duo’s journey as they embark on a lucrative business venture, supplying arms to the US military in Afghanistan.
The Characters’ Backstories
David Packouz, played by Jonah Hill, was a furniture maker from Miami who turned to arms dealing to make a quick buck. He had no experience in the arms trade but was convinced by Efraim to join the business.
Efraim Diveroli, played by Miles Teller, was a small-time arms dealer from Brooklyn who had been in the business for years. He was charismatic and persuasive, which led to his partnership with Packouz.
The Film’s Departures from Reality
While the film is based on the true story, it takes some creative liberties to make the story more exciting and entertaining. Here are some key differences between the film and the real-life events:
• David Packouz’s motivations: In the film, Packouz is driven by financial gain, but in real life, he was motivated by a sense of patriotism and a desire to serve his country.
• The arms dealing operation: The film depicts the duo’s operation as a massive, high-stakes operation, but in reality, it was much smaller and more low-key.
• The US government’s involvement: The film portrays the US government as heavily involved in the duo’s operation, but in reality, the government had minimal knowledge of their activities.
• The outcome: The film’s ending is different from the real-life outcome. Packouz and Diveroli were eventually caught and imprisoned for their crimes, but the film takes a more lighthearted approach to the conclusion.
Key Events in the Film vs. Reality
Here is a table summarizing some of the key events in the film compared to reality:
| Event | Film | Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting | David meets Efraim at a party | David meets Efraim at a music festival |
| Arms dealing | David and Efraim start dealing arms | David and Efraim start dealing small arms to the US military |
| Business growth | The duo’s business grows rapidly | The duo’s business grows slowly and incrementally |
| US government involvement | The government is heavily involved in the duo’s operation | The government has minimal knowledge of the duo’s activities |
| Capture | David and Efraim are captured and imprisoned | David and Efraim are captured and imprisoned for their crimes |
Conclusion
War Dogs is a biographical crime comedy-drama film that takes creative liberties with the true story of David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli. While the film’s characters and events are based on real people and events, it’s important to note that some significant details have been changed or exaggerated for the sake of entertainment. Despite this, the film provides an interesting look into the world of arms dealing and the complexities of the US military’s involvement in Afghanistan.
Important Takeaways
- War Dogs is a biographical crime comedy-drama film based on the true story of David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli.
- The film takes creative liberties with the real-life events and characters.
- David Packouz was motivated by a sense of patriotism, while Efraim Diveroli was driven by financial gain.
- The film’s ending is different from the real-life outcome, with Packouz and Diveroli being caught and imprisoned for their crimes.
- The US government had minimal knowledge of the duo’s activities, and the film’s portrayal of government involvement is exaggerated.
