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.
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.