Review of The Tillman Story (2010) by Benno V — 04 Feb 2011

The records and witness reports indicate that "I'm Pat fucking Tillman" was indeed Pat Tillman's last words before he was shot to death in Afghanistan.

I just finished watching the 2010 Documentary The Tillman Story and It's left me feeling empty and ashamed of the United States Government.

Pat Tillman had a NFL contract and he walked away after 9/11 to join the armed forces. He never disclosed why he did it. Nor did he conduct any media interviews or make any public statements as to why. The Media made assumptions. And even when the story first broke I made an assumption that he wanted to fight for his freedom to and right to live. I'm sure we can say that it's a safe assumption. But Pat never wanted to talk about it. He didn't want the spotlight or the attention. He wanted to be seen as just another solider ready to fight. This film shows us a side of Pat Tillman that the media would never show. He wasn't a man of faith. He didn't pray or believe in god. He loved life, he loved to party, he loved his family and he loved football. He showed the world that he loved the USA as well by walking away from a Million dollar NFL contract. Tillman even noted that he didn't want Military honors if he would lose his life. Why would he do that? Maybe because he didn't want to be a war hero. Maybe he wanted to be remembered as Pat Tillman. And not Pat Tillman the solider. Pat kept that part of his life very private.

On April 22nd 2004 Pat Tillman was killed in Afghanistan. I remember when the news broke. The reports said that he was ambushed by enemy forces. His family held a memorial service for him. Pat was awarded the Silver star for bravery.

Weeks later the news changed. Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire. This Documentary opens some pretty tightly closed doors and goes very deep into the cover up of Tillman's death. This film will shows you some confidential documents, photos and transcripts from some key interviews in the investigation. The Tillman family was lied too. The public was lied too and Pat Tillman was used as the poster-boy hero to promote the armed forces. There is no denying that. Pat Tillman was by far the only solider the entire country knew. That is exactly what Pat didn't want to be remembered as. And the government did it anyway. The details about April 22nd 2004 in is this film will put a giant knot in your stomach. And watching what the Tillman family has gone through over the past 5 years is heartbreaking.

Can you imagine someone telling your family a giant cover-up lie about your death? Or someone who has never met you speaking about you to make themselves look better? When I die I can only wish that nothing is sugar coated. Nobody needs to stress the truth about me. For years I've made it known that I love my life and whenever I die.. I will be a happy person. At the end of the day.. That's all that matters. I wouldn't want anyone using me as an example for anything. And I defiantly wouldn't want any government figure that never met me speaking publicly about me or my life.

After watching this film I can't help but wonder how many other cover-up stories and lies are being told? And what's the reason behind lies and cover-up stories? Is it for our own safely? Or maybe telling lies to the entire world about someones death is going to make us feel better? As the story uncovers more and more information I found myself getting more and more angry at the people that make these decisions. I'm not perfect and I've told lies to make myself look better. But I would never be able to live with myself if I lied about somebody's death.

I give The Tillman Story.... 4 Stars!

Pat Tillman might not have supported the idea of making a film about him. But I think he would support this film.