Historical accuracy of 13 Hours
Characters
Story
Setting
Historical accuracy of: 13 Hours
Characters
Story
Setting
Characters
Jack Silva
Jack Silva is based on a real GRS operator. The movie portrays his experience as a member of the security team during the Benghazi attack.
Tyrone "Rone" Woods
Tyrone Woods was a real former Navy SEAL and GRS operator. The film accurately depicts his role in leading the defense of the Annex.
Kris "Tanto" Paronto
Kris Paronto is a real former Army Ranger and GRS operator. The film portrays his involvement in the events of the Benghazi attack.
Mark "Oz" Geist
Mark Geist is a real former Marine and GRS operator. The film accurately depicts his participation in the defense of the Annex.
John "Tig" Tiegen
John Tiegen is a real former Marine and GRS operator. The film accurately portrays his actions during the Benghazi attack.
Dave "Boon" Benton
Dave Benton is a real former Marine Scout Sniper and GRS operator. The film correctly shows his role as a sniper during the events.
J. Christopher Stevens
Ambassador Stevens was a real historical figure. The film accurately portrays his presence in Benghazi and his tragic death during the attack.
Glen "Bub" Doherty
Glen "Bub" Doherty was a real former Navy Seal and GRS operator. The film accurately portrays his arrival as part of the reinforcement team, and his death during the attack.
Bob
While the CIA Chief of Station is a real position, the "Bob" character is a composite. The film's portrayal of his decisions and actions has been a source of some controversy.
Story
Attack on U.S. compound
On September 11, 2012, militants attacked the U.S. diplomatic compound and a nearby CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya. This is the basis of the film.
Six-man security team
A small team of private security contractors defended the CIA annex, as depicted in the film.
Initial attack repelled
The contractors did repel the initial attack on the diplomatic compound, but the film may exaggerate their success and downplay the Libyan guards' role.
Ambassador Stevens' death
Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens died during the attack. The film portrays his death, though the exact circumstances remain unclear.
CIA annex under siege
The CIA annex was indeed besieged by militants for hours, with intense firefights.
Mortar attack on the annex
A mortar attack on the annex killed two contractors, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, as shown in the film.
Stand down' order
The film depicts a CIA officer delaying the contractors' response to the initial attack. Whether a 'stand down' order was given is highly controversial and debated.
Lack of military support
While requests for military support were made, the response was delayed. The reasons for the delay remain a point of contention.
Contractors' heroism emphasized
While the contractors undoubtedly acted bravely, the film arguably focuses on their actions at the expense of the broader context and other individuals involved.
Depiction of the attackers
The attackers are portrayed as generic militants. The film doesn't delve deeply into their motivations or affiliations, which were complex in reality.
Setting
Political context downplayed
The film focuses on the immediate events of the attack and largely avoids delving into the broader political context in Libya at the time.
Overall
Overall historical accuracy
13 Hours' captures the intensity of the attack and the heroism of the contractors, but it also simplifies some aspects and takes a stance on disputed events, making its overall accuracy debatable.