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Amir Bar-Lev tried to compress three movies into one: the biography of Pat Tillman, his friendly-fire death in Afghanistan, and his family's battle for the truth about his death. A difficult task; he cut the film from 2 1/2 hours to 94 minutes.

The film is a great introduction to the Pat Tillman story. But, given the time constraints, it doesn't go into much detail. If you want to learn more I'd suggest Mary Tillman's book "Boots on the Ground by Dusk " (at blurb.com) or Jon Krakauer's "Where Men Win Glory" (revised paperback now out; good detail on death and Army's cover-up. Flawed because Krakauer lost trust of most of the family).

See the film. Nearly everything most people think they know about Pat Tillman, his family, and the story is wrong. The Tillman family end up telling much of it. A close knit family with much more honor and integrity than their government. And the movie more humor to it than you would think, especially if you don't mind a few f-bombs; the original title of the film was "I'm Pat ----ing Tillman!" (I would tell you why, but that would be a bit of a spoiler).

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In his "The Fog of War" interview with Jason Guerrasio, Amir Bar-Lev said: "… there's been no culpability on the second half of this tragedy, which is the higher ups trying to cover it up. … to borrow a football metaphor, they (the Tillman family) ran the ball 99 yards over four years time, they handed it off at the one-yard line to Congress and they fumbled it...."

Shortly after Sundance, Bar-Lev emailed me that "he was pretty hard on the Democratic Congress in his film." True,his film does portray Congressman Waxman's Oversight Committee as ineptly failing to get answers from the top military leadership during their hearing.

However, Bar-Lev's film missed the "untold story" that both the Democratic Congress and the Obama Presidency shielded General Stanley McChrystal from scrutiny and punishment for his central role in the cover-up of Pat Tillman's friendly-fire death. This cover-up was a thoroughly bi-partisan affair. It wasn't just a case of the Bush administration and the Army stonewalling the Democratic Congress. Congress didn't just "fumble" the ball, they threw the game.

It's not surprising that after their initial cover-up of Pat Tillman's friendly-fire death fell apart, Army officers and the Bush administration lied to protect their careers. But after they took control of both Houses of Congress in 2006, the Democrats (including Congressman Waxman, Senator Levin, Senator Webb, and Senator McCain) could have gone after those responsible. Or at least not promoted them twice!

Just before the 2006 mid-term elections, Kevin Tillman published his eloquent letter, "After Pat's Birthday". Kevin had hoped a Democratic Congress would bring accountability back to our country. But, just as with warrant-less wiretapping and torture, those responsible for the cover-up of his brother's friendly-fire death have never been held accountable for their actions.

Five years ago, Pat Tillman's family were handed a tarnished Silver Star. It was a travesty of justice that President Obama and the Senate promoted General McChrystal to the Army's highest rank, and handed him his fourth star.

Last week I posted at my feralfirefighter blog, "The (Untold) Tillman Story" – President Obama and the Bi-Partisan Congressional Whitewash of General Stanley McChrystal's Cover-up of Pat Tillman's Friendly-Fire Death.

I would have given this documentary a 10 except for the fact I had already read Krakauers book "Where Men Win Glory" which goes into greater detail on exactly what happened that fateful day when Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire. The book also covers much more of what shaped Pat Tillman in his years growing up in New Almaden, California. The movie does hit you with more of an emotional punch than the book does, because it compacts the idiocy into 90 minutes rather than over the course of a week to read the story. Both will leave you very angry at our government.

The Tillman Story paints a picture of an All-American boy who doesn't exactly fit the mold. He isn't a Christian; in fact he is an atheist. He is not a dumb jock, but a very intelligent young man who reads Norm Chomsky, a progressive intellect. He is not arrogant but caring. He married his childhood sweetheart. He enlisted in the Army Rangers after 9/11, along with his younger brother. The movie covers all of this and does it very well. The movie stands out for contrasting Pat Tillman who was no flag pin patriot, with all of the flag waving leadership that was looking for hero's in order to promote the war effort. They started with Jessica Lynch which is portrayed at the start of the film as just a propaganda stunt to cheer up the home front. Tillman became disillusioned after that and made the comment that the Iraq war was "probably illegal as hell". He enlisted to fight in Afghanistan not Iraq, but when he had the opportunity after his Iraq tour to get out of the Army, and play football again, he turned it down in order to honor his commitment.

Where the movie doesn't get it quite right is in giving the audience a better perspective just how badly mistaken the Rangers were in shooting at Tillman. They weren't more than 20 yards away from him when he was shot. The book goes into great detail on this, whereas the documentary tries to show it but it doesn't jump out at you.

The movie is at its most persuasive in exposing how ridiculous the higher up general's were in explaining away why they were not informed about what happened. "We knew nothing" is just as alive in the American army as it was in Germany in WWII.

This is a documentary that should be watched by all American's but of course it won't. It presents too many uncomfortable truths about our military, our leaders, our American culture, and our attitudes. We want nice tidy endings like in the movies but in real life our hero's aren't all like John Wayne. They are better actually. Wayne never even served in World War II. What a contrast. Tillman is the guy you would really want in the foxhole next to yours. He was a true leader and a true patriot and he had a wonderful family and a wonderful wife. They aren't very many Pat Tillman's in our country but we were fortunate to have him if only for a short time. It is too bad he was so ill served by his commanders.

The Tillman Story - For a documentary this was a captivating film. It tells the story of professional NFL player Pat Tillman who left behind a Multi Million Dollar contract to join with his brother Kevin to enlist in the US Army's Rangers. Directed by Amir Bar-Lev it tells the story of a mission in Afghanistan when Tillman was shot in the head. The Military and US government initially said that Tillman was killed in heroic fashion in a firefight with the Taliban members of his platoon were given orders not to reveal what happen even to his brother Kevin who was at the tail end of the convoy. But little by little with lots of questions by his family especially his mom the truth finally came out as to what happen. Although evidence of who knew and how far the cover-up appears to have went all the way to The Bush White House only one 3 Star General was made a scapegoat . Pat knowing that because he was a high profile name that the military would want to use as a recruiting tool if something ever were to happen left written instructions that he did not want a military funeral. The military tried to push the family into signing onto one they refused and he did not have one. It is amazing to think that the US government and military would go to this length to cover-up a friendly fire incident but the United States government like all the worlds government's is Corrupt and there call for patriotism is as corrupt. I believe before any country commits to a war it should be required to read THE WAR PRAYER by Mark Twain (Look it up really read it). Pat was not religious he was a atheist at his funeral service his brother Rich said " Pat isn't with God he's F*****g Dead He wasn't religious but thank you for thoughts but he's F*****g Dead" Go see this Film

I saw the documentary 24 hours ago and I can', for the life of me, shake it out of my brain. The United States of America is an extraordinary Country. We all know that, whether we like to admit it or not. A Country that managed the impossible by growing in spite of its, ethnic, religious and political diversities. Glued together by the Bill of Rights. That's it. So, a story like the Pat Tillman story makes me shiver. When a government is prepared to concoct a lie, regardless of what that lie will do, not just to the family of the fallen soldier, like Pat Tillman's mother says "It's not about my son anymore is about the American people" but in fact to the foundation of America itself. I believed her feelings completely because one things that comes out of the documentary is that the Tillman family is truthful to the core, courageous, inspiring. They should be the poster family for what America is all about. The speeches of Kevin Tillman, Pat's younger brother, at the memorial service and at the Congresional hearing still ring in my ears. And when I recall it I can't stop the tears running down my face.

How appalling and at the same time, how inspiring. Thank God for the Tillman's, even if God doesn't come in into their equation, their life is a model of integrity. Pat Tillman married his high school sweetheart. She was her first and only girlfriend. Always loyal to her as he was loyal to us, to his country, to his believes. Next to him, the government appears as a sleazy bunch, corroding our standards. Films like this make sure we keep our eyes open. The sobbing in the movie theater where I saw the film made me feel very American because we now know and knowledge is power. We won't let this horrors happen again. We can'TV allow it. The world is looking at us.

Quite extraordinary documentary dealing with the emotional and intellectual issues around Pat Tillman's death in Afghanistan and subsequent Army cover-up. A film of insight, humanity, and righteous anger, but it never feels manipulative of the people or facts involved.

Like Tillman himself, it avoids simplistic answers and tries to look deeper. This isn't a propaganda piece, but a complex study of a family's grief, and how powerful organizations like the Army sometimes put their own image ahead of human honesty and decency.

Tillman himself emerges as a highly complex man – someone who didn't go off to war looking for glory, and indeed, tried actively just to be treated like any other soldier – a desire the Army refused to honor, even in death (Tillman had specifically, in writing. requested not to have a military funeral should he die in war, but the Army tried to bulldoze the family into one for PR purposes).

He believed the Afghanistan war was a righteous cause, but politically disagreed with the decision to go to war with Iraq, while fighting with honor and distinction. He was an atheist who respected and was curious about all religions, and whose public memorial was co-opted by public figures invoking the name of God, until finally his little brother – in an act of slightly drunken bravery - stood up to tell them all that wasn't who Pat was.

His family emerge as heroes of another kind, working tirelessly to discover the truth of what really happened to their son and why,all the while fighting an Army and political establishment that just wanted them to stand there mute, and look sad and grateful for the cameras.

Amir Bar-Lev is emerging as one of our best documentary filmmakers, and I'd urge you to also check out his earlier work "My Kid Could Paint That" and "Fighter".

We have to be reminded, again and again, the sacrifices of our young soldiers. They should be honored in every possible way. I was born in Italy, a Country that got it wrong so many times and that, in many ways, seems never to learn, or wanting to learn the lesson. Democracy means the power of the people. America taught us that in the most spectacular way. That's why "The Tillman Story" is so disturbing. We can't and mustn't take anything for granted. I'm an American citizen now, for many years and proud of it. That's why we should unite our voices to those of the Tillman family and demand to be heard. If America loses its credibility, the entire world will suffer for it. Let's fight for America to remain as a beacon of light. "The Tillman Story" reminds us that together we must confront, question and fight. Thank you Tillman family and thank you to the filmmakers.

Before seeing this documentary i had never heard of Pat Tillman. Tillman was the all American hero . A pro American football player who gave up his million dollar contract to fight for his country. The problem was that things are never always that simple in The United States.

One day while out on patrol , Tillman and his group came under fire and he was shot in the head and killed. The family was that they had a fire fight with Afghan soldiers and that was how Pat had lost his life but it didn't take long to find out the the military were lying. Tillman had been killed by friendly fire.

Lets face it it's no surprise that the military and the US government covered this up. They are both institutions that are rotten to the core. What is so amazing is how nonchalant these people are about this cover up and that the cover up went all the way to the top .

The film has interviews with the family and his friends and it shows the amazing length this brave family went to get justice. It shows real footage of the memorial service for Tillman and the wonderfully honest speech his younger brother gave.

If i had one criticism it would be that the documentary is not confrontational enough but i suppose when your dealing with corrupt weasels like Donald Rumsfeld you have to be a bit cautious.

Pat Tillman Jr. was a professional football player who left the field to enlist in the army after September 11, 2001 with his brother for a three year tour of duty. Sadly, he died in mysterious circumstances. This documentary follows Pat's career and life with interviews from his parents, siblings, friends, widow, and others. Worse than his loss to his family, friends, and fellow soldiers was the cover-up from the government about the nature of his death whether murder or intent. Pat Tillman's death was never fully explained to the public or even his family. The Tillmans want the truth no matter if it was an accident of friendly fire or enemy fire. At this point, it doesn't matter. Pat is still gone but his family have unanswered questions about who and what killed him. The truth is needed for closure. When the Tillmans go to Washington DC, they are dismayed by the ridiculous behavior of congress and witnesses like Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. The Tillmans have questions to be answered and aren't going to be in the near future.

Pat Tillman was an Arizona Cardinals defensive back. After 9/11 in 2002, he decided to walk away from a big contract to fight in Afghanistan with his brother Kevin. On April 22, 2004, he was killed in Afghanistan. While most deaths are hidden from public view for the family's privacy, Tillman's death is heralded as a hero's death. He was supposedly killed by insurgents while saving his fellow soldiers. Five weeks after the public ceremonies, the military finally admits that his death is the result of friendly fire. What this documentary reveals is more than a fog of war. There is manipulation. This is not simple bureaucracy. There is a cover-up. Tillman's parents express their personal outrage at being lied to by everybody and are forced to dig for the truth.

We learn many things from this movie, but most importantly we meet Pat Tillman. We see live footage of him, we hear his voice, we get a sense of who he was. And we learn about the mystery and dishonesty surrounding his death.

That's all important and great, but what bothers me about this movie is everything else that's in it. Frankly, there's just too much stuff, and none of it seems sufficiently dealt with. There's the beginning of a discussion about the Tillmans being atheist. There's the beginning of a discussion about the pros and cons of a life in the military. There's the beginning of a discussion about how far up the chain of command corruption reaches. There's the beginning of a discussion about why Pat was really shot. And there's the beginning of a discussion on how to honor his life now that it's passed. I don't think the movie really answers any of these discussions or gets to any sound result. And as for the whole documentary style, it's 100% lifted from Michael Moore's movies. The sequence of events is told all out of order, to make it seem cool and to keep us interested, and it does keep us, but only barely, and only because we're hoping the whole time that it will solve one of those mysteries. Since it never does, it ends up being a muddled mess of a movie about a family that is waking up and beginning to realize that something isn't right. The only problem is that they haven't put all the pieces together yet. That's why it would be more appropriately titled "A Chapter from the Tillman Story".

A well written, well directed documentary about our culture, our leaders, our military and ultimately about ourselves. Sad.

I have to admit that I thought Pat was going to be that jock that I've grown up to despise. The meat head, all muscle and loud but of course thats not what he was and when you are introduced to his family in this film you see he is from the best stock.

Someone earlier in one of the reviews said the family where what real American families where all about and this resonated with me. I grew up in Dublin and was brought up to believe the Americans were the good guys and you know what I thought they where too. Unfortunately over the last number of years, preceding the war in Iraq and most probably starting with Vietnam I've started to have my doubts about the direction this once cherished country of mine was taking, I started to see through its lies and listen to the tiny minority of people who where being drowned out by the media and the politicians and the Army. The Tillmans are just another causality in this long list of brave people standing up for what they believe is right and what happened with their son as being wrong.

This is another story that all Americans and people from other countries should be made watch. This is the truth trickling out from behind the bull that we are fed through our TVs by a complicit media. There is something seriously rotten at the core of Western Govts and the more people that are aware of this the quicker we can deal it.

It is real story of an American soldier who was killed in a friendly fire by his own fellow soldiers wrongfully. Tillman was a top football player but wanted to serve for his country than earning money.He became National hero after his death.This kind of documentary production is possible only in country like America since many countries don't allow to reveal any of the facts stating the countries security as main reason.The Army initially announce the death was due to exchange of fire between Afghan and American but his parents collapse when they get a letter from an anonymous reporter about the killing of his son by his own fellow soldiers.His parents take up the case to US congress .During cross examination the higher ranking officers including Generals too try to cover up the facts and simply get away from the case.Late President Jhon f Kennedy was right -Never look back what your country has done to you.

In the aftermath of 9/11, Pat Tillman left his NFL career and went to serve in the military, becoming one of the US Army's most famous recruits. When he was accidentally killed by his comrades, the Army and the Bush administration were faced with a choice: tell the truth and face up to the Army's incompetence, or lie repeatedly, covering up that incompetence and turning Tillman's death into a patriotic, flag-waving recruitment tool. The powers that be chose the second option.

But they badly misjudged Pat Tillman and his family. Pat had come to disagree with what the US was doing in the Middle East, and had made it clear he didn't want to be turned into a propaganda tool. What's so incredible about this film is that it's less about Pat Tillman himself and more about the injustices the American government is willing to perpetrate against its own people. You think the American military won't lie to you? Think again. You think the American government won't lie to you? Think again.

The Tillman family is angry, and they have every right to be. When they discovered the truth about the friendly fire incident, they tried to get the military and the government to admit what they had done. What's even worse than the initial lies is the fact that the subsequent investigations and congressional inquiries, meant to hold those responsible to account, weren't only toothless, they - in effect - colluded with the higher-ups in order to protect them. The Donald Rumsfelds of this world were immune, while a retired 3-star general got thrown to the wolves instead.

This film is a damning indictment of America's military and its government. When a soldier dies serving their country, the very least their memory and their family deserves is the truth. If a government is unwilling to provide that, choosing instead to manufacture an easily digestible narrative the public will lap up, something is very, very wrong.

and even though people might be moved and/or outraged, it's not like that ever stopped what moves the human animal to do this sort of stuff. people here at IMDb have already written something to the effect that there is truth and then there's the government's truth. that's been true not only of the US govt, but pretty much all govts, when looked at from a certain perspective. and, yes. the US govt is no exception...in fact, it may set new standards in the atrocity cover up dept. but i'll leave that as a response to other documentaries... if you'd like a better idea of what the US govt has done since its inception, i'd advise reading howard zinn's 'a people's history of the united states'. it's a real eye opener. i don't usually like history(maybe b/c, even as a child, i intuited the lies being told), but this book was one of the best(of any genre)i've ever read. and, yes, it's 'biased'. what piece of information ever passed on isn't? but you can decide for yourself how much of it feels truthful. esp in light of America's actions these days. what one needs to understand, basically, is that alpha animals are willing to do whatever it takes to stay alphas. anything it takes includes a lot of things we, generally, consider immoral. but it's 'business as usual'. and the need to control that business/investment. it's done, as i said, worldwide. large companies not only have a large influence on policy making, they, pretty much, dictate policy making. AND, their leaders, as recently seen with wall street and investment bankers, are beyond/above the law. like it or not they ARE the law. i would imagine an effective protest might be to withhold taxes, if large groups of people did so... good luck to those of you with consciences who want to make humane changes. i say this without a bit of sarcasm or failure prejudice implied.

"If you shut up truth and bury it under the ground, it will but grow, and gather to itself such explosive power that the day it bursts through it will blow up everything in its way." - Émile Zola, French writer.

Pat Tillman left a multimillion-dollar football contract after he felt something about 9/11. he joins the military. when he was on the field he found facts about war which he didn't like it. yes, he accepted operations and ran it but in this documentary film, we can see and knowing, the operations that he fought for it, was bullshit. nonsense. he knew it.

The stupid incident killed Pat Tillman and hey, he was famous guy so why we don't put his death on stage and set as the real hero and here we go the military manipulated his death, they tell lies to his family, his fans, his country. they made him a poster boy.

when Amir Bar-Lev explored this case and all Pat's family talk, we know how great his mother, father and brother. they want the truth, they know that hero always comes to truth, not fake. this movie makes me think that everybody in this world deserve the fact about the truth. they don't deserve lies. I think people can learn so much think from this movie