The Tillman Story

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening this Friday from director Amir Bar-Lev and The Weinstein Company with A&E Indie Films comes a must-see for everyone who believes in truth with “The Tillman Story”.

This film tells the story of NFL Arizona Cardinal player Pat Tillman, who, at the top of his game, leaves it all behind to join the Army in May of 2002 with his brother Kevin.

He is deployed first to Iraq in March of 2003. In April of 2003 he and his brother Kevin provide perimeter support for the rescue of Private Jessica Lynch from her captors. From Tillman’s observations of the Jessica Lynch rescue he is disturbed referring to it as “just a movie”.

In December 2003, the NFL wants to sign him and tells him the Army will secure him an early discharge – he refuses. Instead in April 2004, Pat and Kevin are sent to Afghanistan for their second deployment. On April 22, 2004, after a series of event that still isn’t clear, Pat Tillman was killed – and the spin began.

On that date - a life ends and a lie begins.

FINAL WORD: This is a deeply disturbing film about our governments’ idea of what the people have the right to know. In the beginning it is all spread out very pretty, until you realize the spreading out is a deception to keep you looking one way or another.

Working on the film for three years the filmmakers had the opportunity to become close and see the Tillman family as they truly are. A rambunctious bunch who are famous for using the F-bomb and all extremely family oriented. 

Director Amir speaks about approaching the Tillman family on making of the documentary, “I think the basis of what we felt was that someone was going to make this story – this shocking and remarkable story of this guy. I thought the Tillman’s could wake up one morning and watch some awful documentary someone made without them about them about Pat that would horrify them no doubt and be totally inaccurate or work with someone who makes quality feature documentaries that are rooted in the truth and be part of that. I think they decided that we were right.”

When asked how Josh Brolin (Narrator) became involved in the project, “Mirmax called and said do you want to be a part of this and I said I can’t. They sent me a DVD of the story and I didn’t know the depths of it at all. I was extremely moved by it. I liked that it didn’t get into partisanship. It’s extremely personal and that’s what I loved about Pat’s life and his family. They beat to their own drum. Even though he did the most incredible thing and look back on his legacy with peace I have a lot or respect for”

Told from those who were there, Russell Baer and O’Neal comes the personal fears and to the Tillman’s themselves being told by Lt. Ralph Kauzlarich that they can’t “let go” because they are atheists – the anger is righteous!

The General Stanley McCrystal sent the P-4 memo and that is the most disturbing in it basically proves the cover up goes up to then President George Bush.

In August 2007 the Congressional Hearings featuring (and I use this term in its most cartoonish sense) Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, General John Abizaid, General Bryan Brown, and General Richard Meyers spent their time unable to recall the P4 memo or when they learned of Tillman’s death.

In July 2008 the House and Oversight Committee and its report “Misleading Information from the Battlefield: The Tillman and Lynch episodes” site their investigation as “frustrated by a near universal lack of recall” on the part of the Bush administration.

But in that same speech another lie is spun about the reasons Tillman even joined the military and it is perpetrated by the Bush Administration – the same administration that had lied to the Tillman’s from the beginning.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “The Tillman Story” four tubs of popcorn out of five. The outrage is extensive and the emotion for the Tillman’s courage is heart breaking. The family never showed themselves for more than what they are – an American family who supported their son’s decision to serve their country – and were themselves betrayed.

What makes this even more angering is the reaction of the Rumsfeld, Abizaid, Brown and Meyers in front of the Tillman family when they think they are out of the hot seat. Despicable!

Of course some will scream this is propaganda – how can the truth owed to a family who gave a son be propaganda? The film would have never been made had the truth come from the very beginning. That being said – see this film!

In the end – a mystery, a cover up, a crime – and one family that will risk everything to uncover the truth.