The Tillman Story (2010) User Reviews

"The (Untold) Tillman Story"

[guymontag425 · 9/10 · 25 August 2010]

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).

. . .

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.

An American Tragedy

[bobzmcishl · 8/10 · 12 February 2011]

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.

Truth and the Govermnent's Truth may not be one and the Same

[garak99-705-686013 · 8/10 · 25 August 2010]

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

Shattering, powerful, inspiring

[filmquestint · 10/10 · 22 August 2010]

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.

Lies My Government Told Me

[marcosaguado · 10/10 · 23 August 2010]

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.

Powerful and extraordinary documentary

[runamokprods · 13 October 2011]

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".

He served his country honorably - unlike his leaders

[lectureral · 7/10 · 28 January 2011]

This movie should make the viewer angry. As an American who has lived in Europe for over 20 years I have often defended my country (eg after 9/11 when some, incredibly, believed the attacks were orchestrated by the government). This film, however, and what was done to the Tillman family totally undermines those who would defend America. To see Rumsfeld in front of Congress failing to remember when he heard about the friendly-fire incident ties this story in with the other ways in which that administration did so much harm to the US while waving its flag vigorously (torture, extraordinary rendition, starting a cynical (and probably illegal) war). The attacks faced by the Tillman family (it's because they are atheists - really?) and the way in which Congress failed totally to hold those who were at the top to account brings shame to both the US military and government. I do hope that the family find some resolution and hope in getting Pat's story out there.

A Moving Frustration

[lucymeyerrisi · 10/10 · 23 August 2010]

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.

Felt differently than most of you

[aubucs · 7/10 · 6 March 2011]

In my humble opinion, I think the Tillmans are angry, and are taking out their anger on the government. I think mom is really angry at Pat himself for joining the army. For me - if my son died by friendly fire - I would rather have the govt lie to me and say he was a hero - rather than have to live with the fact that he died needlessly. (No question he is a hero, in my book). How many movies have we seen where the govt uses that "died heroically" line - Born on the Fourth of July, Courage under Fire, etc. Also, moms comment that someone just felt like shooting - Please! These are special forces - Army Rangers! In that circumstance, "just shooting" is only going to draw the attention of the enemy. She doesn't know what she's talking about. Also, I thought his brother was an idiot, saying he wasn't with God, he was just dead. Not appropriate at a funeral. I liked learning more about Pat Tillman. I have even more respect for him than I did before. OK, one more thing - I didn't see how the govt was trying to turn his death into a recruiting poster. The guy was a famous football player, his death was bound to be noticed by America.

Heartbreaking for Everybody!

[Sylviastel · 10/10 · 16 May 2016]

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.

The US Government are lier's ? Well there's a surprise.

[valleyjohn · 7/10 · 17 February 2012]

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.

This documentary will be hard for anyone to forget

[wlybrand · 9/10 · 8 February 2011]

Sitting down to write about the "The Tillman Story" makes me recall the same emotions that the movie evokes, and frustration is at the forefront.

I want to start by writing about the premise, the story of an intelligent young man who was a successful football player, who ended up dying while fighting in war. But that is exactly what Pat Tillman, the late protagonist, wouldn't want. In addition, Pat Tillman was the only thing the country was talking about for several months in 2004.

And then I want to extol the artistic merits of the story-telling in this movie, and how it carefully peels away at the truth behind his death. But ultimately the film-making qualities aren't what make this movie worth seeing.

After that, I want to explain why "The Tillman Story" is simultaneously wonderful and terrible… wonderful in that it shines light on a shadow that deserves to be exposed, but terrible for how the viewer feels after seeing what was there. It is not the movie itself that is terrible, but instead how the story makes you feel after seeing it. But these descriptions are better left for the movie to tell.

"The Tillman Story" is worth seeing, and even more so if you are an American. It provides glimpses into the US military complex and it's mechanisms of self preservation. It details a family's experience with the death of one of their own. It will give you a mix of reactions and emotions, with no real final answer to the issues at stake. If you are looking for a light-hearted romp, or a documentary about the latest easy-going topic-du-jour, "The Tillman Story" isn't the right place to start. I rated this movie 5/5 stars because director Amir Bar-Lev succeeds on all counts .

Tillman Story Shows Weakness in Military and Government Leadership

[appliedsuccess · 7/10 · 14 August 2011]

The Tillman Story is a very well shot and constructed documentary if not intentionally one-sided to represent the untold Tillman family's side of tragedy. It's most likely rated R for the Tillman family's loved use of the F word. The documentary provides insight into their anguish from not only the loss of their son and brother, but also from the government and military's manipulation of the facts that make his death even more disturbing. I'd read of Pat's death due to friendly fire, but was never lead to a clear understanding of just how blatant the friendly fire was. This was not a true fire fight in which an arrant round hit an unintended target. The movie depicts the incident as much more deliberate. There should be a greater indictment of the press for their failure to truly investigate things and clearly describe what actually happened. They have become so unprofessional these days that they simply serve as parrots of information feed to them by "officials". Unfortunate considering information in today's world is probably more easily obtained then it was for reporters decades ago.

Pat was a private, principal-driven man. You gain as much as sense of who Pat really was as the family is willing to divulge. And the public image of him as a hero is tempered by the family's belief in the reality that Pat should not have been given the Silver Star. As his brother says, Pat was an olympian for serving, as are all who serve, but the government's decision to issue the Silver Star is addressed in the movie as a cheapening of the "hero" label it provides those who actually earn it. More revealing is the movie's depiction of the willing incompetence of the U.S. government. The Congressional committee hosting the investigative hearing demonstrates the back- slapping, could-care-less-about-the-people attitude of the Representatives who Tillman's family counted on to "represent" them against obvious government abuses. In the face of testimony from all the military brass that were unwilling to take responsibility, the Congressional committee simply brushes it off as "you've done your best, right?" The message is clear - the people are not really represented by any branch of the government. The "insiders" all cooperate to cover one another. And apparently even Pat's star status was not enough to upset this system.

Pat's mother worked for 2.5 years everyday making calls and the government did not respond. Only when Pat's dad, a lawyer, wrote a letter on letterhead identifing him as an attorney that the government took notice and did something. This "lawyer bias" was never addressed in the movie, and I question whether the family makes the connection. Pat's brother apparently doesn't because he thinks it was because his dad told them to F**** themselves, and commented his mom could have done this years ago if that was what was needed to raise attention. Nope. It was because dad was a lawyer. (Personally, I would have liked to see Pat's dad cross examine the Generals.) The members of Congress did such a poor job, there seemed to be no reason for the hearing other than to place the Tillman family's grievances on the record as yet another appeasement tactic.

In it's category as a documentary, I think this movie scores well, but falls short of investigating areas of this case that were never touched upon. It leaves open the question of what the Tillman family may have pursued in the civil courts to gain some justice and does not recognize the government's penchant for catering to the demands of people identified as lawyers. It seemed odd that the focus in questioning the generals was about when they knew it was friendly fire rather than about punishment of the soldiers responsible for Pat's death. Where was the military court trial? It seemed the Tillmans were more angered by when people knew than by what they knew, and that disconnect was left unexplained. The very system Pat was fighting for is broken and in need of repair. Perhaps the people would have real representation with term limits that would eliminate career politicians who are more inclined to cover their fellow government officials. Just a thought.

Rest in peace, Pat. Your men know what really happened, and those responsible have to live with your death. I feel for your family and wife. What a shame to lose Pat Tillman. Even more of a shame how things were handled after his murder.

Having said all this, understand I support those who serve. Clearly there was criminal activity here that should have been addressed in a military court and was not in part because of who Pat was prior to joining. At every turn, his fame seemed to work against him being treated as he wished.

While the film was good, it left holes in the story that I think would complete the whole picture. I'd recommend watching it, if for no other reason than to gain a clear understanding of the real Pat Tillman, not the made-for-American-Consumption Pat Tillman.

The Tillmans deserve justice including a tighter movie

[Felonious-Punk · 3/10 · 6 February 2011]

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 truly inspirational soldier and American hero!

[Hellmant · 9/10 · 14 February 2011]

'THE TILLMAN STORY': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

Documentary film based on the events of pro-football player turned Army Ranger Pat Tillman who was killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire and the U.S. government's plot to cover it up and use it as a propaganda recruitment tactic. The film was directed by Amir Bar-Lev (who also directed the acclaimed documentary 'MY KID COULD PAINT THAT') and written by Mark Monroe (who also wrote the popular documentary 'THE COVE'). It's narrated by actor Josh Brolin. The film is yet another amazingly well made and memorable documentary from 2010 (one of the best years ever for the genre).

The narrative of the film is mostly told from the perspective of the Tillman family, focusing on Pat's mother and father who put up an amazingly inspiring fight to uncover the truth of the details surrounding their son's death. It opens with the news coverage surrounding Pat's unexpected rejection of a $3.6 million Cardinals' football contract in order to enlist in the U.S. Army alongside his brother Kevin (who also gave up a career of professional baseball) in 2002. It quickly progresses to the initial reports of Pat's death in battle as the result of enemy fire in April of 2004. Weeks later the Tillman family and the public are told that Pat was in fact killed due to friendly fire by his own unit in a mistaken identity accident. Pat's mother and father continue to push for a full investigation and the release of all information regarding the shooting and as of this date have still been denied. We learn as the Tillmans dig deeper though that Pat was shot three times in the head at close range (which would most likely indicated it was intentional) and his body armor, uniform and journal were burned immediately following the shooting. Given the fact that the journal contained many of Pat's discontent views with the war in Iraq and observations of illegal activities there it lead many to speculate that the shooting was a planned assassination as well.

It has obviously never been proved if Pat Tillman's death was an accident or planned murder but as this movie shows it's still a gross injustice to the American people and an insult to all American soldiers that the U.S. government (going all the way to the top as the movie proves) covered the details of his death up and deliberately lied to us all about them. As many have pointed out our government tried to use Tillman as a 'poster child' for recruitment and spin his death into a heroic and inspirational tale when Pat Tillman made it well known that he did not want to be seen that way and did not support the war in Iraq. There's a lot of film time spent on Pat and his family's religious views or lack there of them and how people treated them because of this. We learn that Pat was very well read though and had researched many different religions and was interested in the subject.

The movie is extremely involving, interesting and emotional. It's well researched and extremely well executed. There were a few camera shot setups that I thought demeaned the otherwise outstanding quality of the film but they were minor and unimportant (which is even more so why the film could have done without them). I didn't know a lot about the details of the subject matter prior to seeing the film but have since became very interested and read up on them. That's the sign of a truly great documentary, one that wants you to learn more (although I do that before writing my reviews anyway but in this case I went a little beyond the norm and was eager to do so). The film is depressing, that's a given due to the subject matter, but it's also inspiring witnessing the heart and conviction of the Tillman families pursuit for justice. It's also of course inspiring learning more about Pat Tillman himself and what a truly inspirational soldier and American hero he really was. It's also an important film that all should see.

Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIAZ2104LOU

Not surprised

[paulhmull · 9/10 · 24 April 2011]

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.

A must-see for how the military and government can cover up a tragedy for political gain.

[TxMike · 6 June 2011]

Pat Tillman was an all-star college football player and an all-star pro football player. But the events of 9/11 had a deep personal impact on him, realizing that everyone needs to do their part in assuring freedom, he gave up $$Millions to enlist in the Army. He was killed, as it turned out, by "friendly fire", his own men as he climbed a ridge to see if he could spot enemies.

That in itself is tragic, but what followed was an even greater tragedy. The true facts of the incident were covered up, most likely all the way to President Bush and V.P. Cheyney, and all the military commanders between Tillman and the office of POTUS.

Instead of simply telling the truth, a story was fabricated that a Taliban ambush was responsible for Tillman's death. This story went to the memorial ceremony for Tillman. He was hailed as a hero for protecting his men. Only with a very persistent investigation by Tillman's mother, plus a scathing letter from Tillman's father to the government, got close to the truth.

Why did the military and the Bush administration lie? Because the various Bush-promoted conflicts were unpopular, and they didn't need for it to get even more unpopular, so a story was fabricated ostensibly for political gain.

With real footage of Tillman, and real footage of news reports and congressional hearings, it is an eye-opener as a glimpse into how the system can so easily cover up the truth.

Tillman has strictly followed the Quotation of Honble Jhon F Kennedy

[anan53 · 7/10 · 28 March 2011]

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.

revealing documentary

[SnoopyStyle · 8/10 · 16 January 2016]

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.

He deserved better

[fmwongmd · 7/10 · 22 June 2019]

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

An important documentary

[PopCulturedwithMovieMike · 9/10 · 29 January 2014]

The Tillman Story is a very interesting documentary that explores themes of propaganda, patriotism and how war is perceived by the public.

If you're not already familiar with the story, Pat Tillman was an NFL player that gave up a million dollar NFL contract to join the Army Rangers shortly after September 11th. When Tillman was killed in action, stories of his heroics swept the nation. Although Tillman was certainly a hero, the moments leading to his death did not involve him fighting off Taliban soldiers like the government had said, he was actually killed by friendly fire.

The film digs deeper and deeper into the conspiracy showing how the US government tried to use Tillman's accidental death as a propaganda tool to spin the war in our favor back home. As the film progresses, it becomes apparent that the conspiracy reaches all the way to the president of the United States.

You don't have to be interested in politics or the NFL to enjoy this tragic documentary. At the heart of the film is a family just yearning for the truth of what happened to their son. In the end, it's the least the government could have done after all Tillman

An exposé of just how rotten America's core is

[almanac-39178 · 10/10 · 18 August 2019]

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.

Leaves too much unexamined

[mlwehle · 4/10 · 5 June 2011]

What is most interesting about The Tillman Story is what it leaves unsaid about Pat Tillman, his death, and the cover-up afterwards. The film doesn't communicate anything about the man a viewer wouldn't know from watching a few news clips after Tillman's 2004 killing – he was a jock "who read Emerson and Chomsky" as well as the Book of Mormon. The Story is thoroughly hagiographic in its treatment of Tillman's character, and assures us the man was sexually faithful to his childhood sweetheart as well as true in his commitment to a military which would in life and death betray him. From the film Tillman is shown to be without foible except that he and his brothers say "f*cking" a lot. Family, friends, fellow soldiers have ought but good to say of the man. Uninterviewed are the Rangers who shot him, or any soldiers who might have held Tillman in anything less than awestruck admiration – was there no one he offended, no one in his platoon who held a grudge? As his buddies gunned him down he's reported to have repeatedly protested "I'm Pat f*cking Tillman" presumedly not as an anonymous Joe Dokes' dying assertion of identity, but rather claiming the shelter of an star. The effect of this on his teammates is unexplored by the film.

What the movie very successfully shows are family and colleagues who are without language to investigate or express their attachment to icons. We are repeatedly shown images of fallen Tillman's red football jersey, a relic displayed in various sizes to reverential audiences. Here the film touches on the sports warrior metaphor but chooses to leave it unexamined. Before going into the military Tillman is said to have spent several hours exploring his decision with his football coach, who huskily asserts that to Pat words like honor, respect, and commitment were "not just adjectives." The intent here is apparently to impart depth of import, to leave the viewer with some enhanced appreciation of Tillman's character, but instead of nodding in reverence to a dead hero this viewer found himself exclaiming reflexively that the words are in fact not adjectives, they are nouns. Tillman Sr., an attorney, closes a brief contesting the government's verdict on his son's death with this summation: "F*ck you, and yours." Richard Tillman's funerary oration is comprised of telling an audience his beloved brother Pat is "f*cking dead."

The Tillman Story shows Pat Tillman as a hero for a people without words, who worshipped Pat because besides being able to run down a field and knock a man over he also "read Chomsky." What Chomsky might have to say about language, or Afghanistan, or Iraq, or Pat Tillman, is unfortunately unexplored by the film.

yes...it's a good movie...

[imizrahi2002 · 3 February 2011]

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.

The Green Zone, Fair Game and now, The Tillman Story

[juhri_sl · 8/10 · 14 June 2011]

"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