For our two-part season finale, we are unpacking movies about two men who smuggled cocaine for the Medellin Cartel into the states, largely by air. In our second episode, we dive into the thrilling world of Doug Liman’s American Made (2017) and the real-life story of Barry Seal, the infamous pilot turned drug smuggler turned DEA informant. We break down how the movie, starring Tom Cruise, dramatizes Seal’s high-flying exploits, comparing Hollywood’s version to the actual events. Did Seal really work for the CIA, DEA, and Medellin cartel simultaneously? How accurate is the portrayal of his dangerous double life? Tune in now to find out.
Primary Sources:
Hahn, Del. Smuggler’s End: The Life and Death of Barry Seal. Pelican Publishing Company (2016).
Special Report: Murder of a Witness – The Barry Seal Story
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Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148