while advocates for the mujahideen, were actually initially "lukewarm" on the idea of supplying these missiles. Their opinion changed when they discovered that rebels were successful in downing Soviet gunships with them. As such, they were actually not supplied until 1987, during the second Reagan term, and their provision was advocated mostly by Reagan defense officials and influential conservatives. Happy ending According to Melissa Roddy, a Los Angeles film maker with inside information from the production, the film's happy ending where Wilson is awarded came about because Tom Hanks did not feel comfortable with an original draft which ended on a scene featuring the September 11 attacks. Citing the original screenplay, which was very different from the final product, in Reel Power: Hollywood Cinema and American Supremacy Matthew Alford wrote that the film gave up "the chance to produce what at least had the potential to be the Dr. Strangelove of our generation". Academic Research The book and the film based on it are mostly rated negatively in terms of historical accuracy. Aftermath The film depicts the concern expressed by Charlie and Gust that Afghanistan was being neglected in the 1990s, following the Soviet withdrawal. In one of the film's final scenes, Gust dampens Charlie's enthusiasm over the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, saying "I'm about to give you an NIE (National Intelligence Estimate) that shows the crazies are rolling into Kandahar." As he says this, the sound of jet airliners soar overhead, a premonition of the coming 9/11 attacks. George Crile III, author of the book on which the film is based, wrote that the mujahideen's victory in Afghanistan ultimately opened a power vacuum for bin Laden: In 2008, Canadian journalist Arthur Kent sued the makers of the film, claiming that they had used material he produced in the 1980s without obtaining the proper authorization. On September 19, 2008, Kent announced that he had reached a settlement with the film's producers and distributors, and that he was "very pleased" with the terms of the settlement, which remain confidential. Awards and nominations Home media The film was released on DVD April 22, 2008, while a HD DVD/DVD combo was also made available References External links 2007 films 2000s English-language films 2007 biographical drama films 2000s spy films American biographical drama films American political drama films American spy films American docudrama films Films about American politicians American films based on actual events