Surprise, it's propaganda (http://gawker.com/declassified-memo-shows-how-cia-shaped-zero-dark-thirty-493174407)!
QuoteThe CIA's whitewashing effort is revealed in a cache of documents newly released under a Freedom of Information Act request about the CIA's cooperation with Bigelow and Boal. The documents include a 2012 memo—initially classified "SECRET"—summarizing five conference calls between Boal and the CIA's Office of Public Affairs in late 2011. "The purpose for these discussions was for OPA officers to help promote an appropriate portrayal of the Agency and the Bin Ladin operation," according to the memo. (Hundreds of pages of CIA documents about the film were released last year; the memo obtained by Gawker was approved for release late last month.)
During these calls, Boal "verbally shared the screenplay" for Zero Dark Thirty in order to get the CIA's feedback, and the CIA's public affairs department verbally asked Boal to take out parts that they objected to. According to the memo, he did.
Pro-tip: when the CIA says it is "absolutely comfortable" with the final product, chances are said product is bullshit.
There's got to be a wonderful book or two on CIA interactions with Hollywood.
Anyone know any good ones?