War Machine: strong passions
Pitt was most keen to discuss War Machine and the strong passions behind it. The film, written and directed by the Australian filmmaker David Michod (Animal Kingdom), is based on Michael Hastings’ 2012 book The Operators, which chronicled McChrystal’s tumultuous and short-lived stewardship of the war in Afghanistan.
War Machine, which debuts on Netflix May 26, takes a slightly fictionalised approach. Pitt’s character is named Gen. Glen McMahon, but the events and personalities covered correspond accurately with McChrystal’s downfall. The switch, made after the project was announced, saved the film from some potentially thorny legal issues.
“We had no interest in impugning General McChrystal or any of his guys,” said Pitt. “For me, the problem is more systematic.”
“The impetus for me was a visit to Walter Reed,” added Pitt, who visited the military medical center in 2014 . “Those young men and women - who are absolutely heroic in a very harrowing situation - their lives are forever changed and so are their families. It just really made me question who is spending this currency of dedication. Who’s writing the check? Who’s making the order?”
Particularly galling to Pitt was the request recently by advisers to President Donald Trump and military officials for several thousand more American troops in Afghanistan, a war that has already spanned more than 15 years. It’s time to rethink what “winning” means, he says.
“Nothing that we’ve ever done has said that more troops are going to do anything but cause any more damage, more loss of life and limb,” said Pitt. “We talk a lot about supporting our troops but I think supporting our troops is much more than giving them money and a pat on the back. I think it’s being responsible to how we use that ultimate dedication.”
Trump’s top advisers have said the president has not made any final decision about adding more troops in Afghanistan.