Review by Spencer Gordon
Photo provided by The Tillman Story
The Tillman Story
Directed by Amir Bar-Lev
Narrated by Josh Brolin
Rated R for language
“I knew things were gonna come out that were gonna make [Pat Tillman’s] ceremony …. invalid.” – Army Ranger Russell Baer who served in Pat Tillman’s unit.
The Tillman Story is the new documentary by Amir Bar-Lev (My Kid Could Paint That, Fighter). The film illustrates the life of Pat Tillman, specifically from 1997 until his death in 2004. Tillman was an All-Star football player from Arizona State University and was drafted to the NFL in the last round by the Arizona Cardinals. He became a surprise star on the team and soon was a fan favorite and Sports Illustrated all-star.
In 2002, about to receive a new multi-million dollar contract in the NFL, Pat Tillman did what to many was unthinkable and joined the Army Rangers to fight in the War on Terror.
In 2004, the news broke that Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan*. Every mass media outlet in the country began reporting on the death. The government had released a report stating that Tillman was departing his vehicle about to join a fight between a battalion of US troops and the Taliban when he was shot in the head and died instantly. Tillman was already the most famous man in the US Army, and to hear that he died defending the country he loved created a level of patriotism that almost rivaled the aftermath of September 11th. Former President Bush made a speech complimenting his heroism, his jersey was retired at Arizona State as well as the Arizona Cardinals, and a large televised memorial was broadcast nationwide. To the eyes of the average American, he was the definition of “American Hero”.
Pat Tillman was killed on April 22nd, 2004, but not by the Taliban. According to the film, Tillman’s unit was trying to come back to their broken down vehicle when U.S. soldiers fired upon them thinking they were the enemy. Tillman threw an identifying smoke bomb and the firing halted. Thinking they had been recognized, Tillman’s unit began making their way to the soldiers. The trigger-happy soldiers then drove up to about 40 yards away from Tillman’s unit and proceeded to fire upon them again, knowing that they were shooting at Americans. Receiving fire, Tillman screamed, “I’m Pat f—ing Tillman!” and then he was shot in the head.
This brutal and gross representation of the U.S. Army did not sit well with the government, especially because it wasn’t the heroic death that fitted the Army’s most recognizable soldier. Knowing how the Army would be viewed if the actual story got out, the government lied and turned the tragic death of Pat Tillman into U.S. Army propaganda.
The Tillman Story tells the story of Pat Tillman in two parts. The first plays somewhat of an exposition. It introduces Tillman and his family, as well as the soldiers that served with him and an independent researcher that helped the Tillman family investigate what really happened to Pat. This half feels very official as if the film is trying to get through everything that it needs to in order to tell the story it wants to. When the first part of the film concludes, it shifts gears and shows us what makes Tillman’s story so extraordinary.
I won’t spoil the film, but once the Tillman’s began investigating into their son’s death and the amazing military cover-up that went as high as former President Bush, the film quickly become an intense espionage story. The film was moving at a better pace and quite frankly it felt like it had a purpose as opposed to the first half of the film. Tillman was quoted as saying, “I don’t want special treatment. I want to be treated like any other soldier,” so it was puzzling to me during the first half of the film why a documentary needed to be made about a man who doesn’t want to be famous. The second half thankfully shed light onto why his story is important and needs to be shown.
It is really extraordinary how much power the government has over the media, yet The Tillman Story is a great example of how you can take on Washington with a well thought out strategy. But what I really respect about the film is that it also shows the effects this act has on a person as well as how much its really going to accomplish. I respect the Tillman family for having enough motivation and energy to fight for the truth about what happened with their loved one as well as find out about the gross mishandling of his death. It’s obvious director Bar-Lev also respects this. When we finally get to hear Congress’s response to the entire incident, the film shows its opinion of what happened very clearly.
Despite the film having a lackluster first half, the second half really delivers. It will make you curse in your chair, make your mouth drop, and probably not trust the government more then you already did. The media should be able to report the news, but when the government steps in and distorts the truth, thank god we have documentaries like The Tillman Story to tell us what really happened.
Grade: B+ for a compelling and important second half of the film, as well as providing uncensored commentary by the Tillman family to not only provide us with information but some humor as well.
Like what you read? See what other films Spencer’s reviewed.
*Originally published as “Iraq.” We apologize for the error.
