Pentagon Challenges ‘A House of Dynamite’ Claims: Kathryn Bigelow’s Screenwriter Responds to Missile Reliability Concerns

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Netflix are currently in a disagreement over the accuracy of the new nuclear disaster film, A House of Dynamite. The film, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, recently premiered on Netflix after showing at the Venice Film Festival.

In an internal memo dated October 16, Pentagon officials pointed out several “false assumptions” the film portrays, particularly regarding missile defense. The movie suggests that the military failed to intercept an incoming missile targeting Chicago, which the DoD argues does not reflect reality. Their memo emphasizes that while dramatic storytelling can sometimes warrant creative liberties, real-world missile defense capabilities paint a different picture.

For context, the film trivializes the success rate of interceptor missiles. In A House of Dynamite, there’s a 61% success rate for interceptors targeted at incoming threats. However, the DoD’s Missile Defense Agency assures that its systems have achieved a 100% success rate during tests over the past ten years. This raises questions about the film’s factual basis.

A military insider familiar with the DoD’s views stated, “The numbers tell us a different story. The program is set to grow in the next decade.” The DoD’s comments highlight a significant contrast in how Hollywood represents military capabilities versus the reality of these advanced systems.

The screenwriter, Noah Oppenheim, countered the Pentagon’s assessment in an interview, expressing a desire for open dialogue. “I welcome the conversation. It shows the Pentagon is paying attention, which is what we want to encourage,” he said.

Bigelow intentionally kept the Pentagon at a distance during production to maintain artistic independence, although she did enlist technical advisers with military backgrounds. Notably, these advisers have no ties to the current administration, according to Oppenheim.

The film’s narrative also includes a tension-filled moment where military leaders hesitate to launch additional interceptors after the first failure. This moment resonates with viewers, highlighting the stakes involved in high-pressure scenarios.

On a broader scale, the U.S. currently operates about 44 missile interceptors. An enhanced system is expected to roll out by 2028, introducing newer technologies to tackle threats. However, the global landscape remains alarming; an estimated 12,300 nuclear weapons exist across the arsenals of nine nations, capable of catastrophic destruction.

Bigelow has expressed concern about the normalization of nuclear weapons in society. She hopes her film will spark conversations about their implications, emphasizing that such discussions are often overlooked.

The debate between the Pentagon and Netflix serves not just as a critique of a film but as a reflection of societal attitudes towards nuclear power and military capabilities. As entertainment increasingly intersects with significant global issues, how films portray these realities becomes crucial. The potential impact on public perception might lead to deeper conversations about safety and security in a world still grappling with the threat of nuclear warfare.

Sources:

• Bloomberg Reports
• DoD Missile Defense Agency
• Antonia Blyth Interview

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