PNC, Library to Host “The Tillman Story” Film Screenings

Public showings of the film "The Tillman Story" will be offered through a collaboration of the Purdue University North Central Odyssey 2010 - 2011 Arts and Cultural Events Series and the Michigan City Public Library. The showings are free and open to the public.

It will be shown Sunday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Michigan City Public Library, 100 E. Fourth St., Michigan City and Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 5 p.m. in the PNC Library-Student-Faculty Building Assembly Hall, Room 02. The film is rated R. It includes some profanity.

"The Tillman Story" is the documentary film that details the death of Pat Tillman who left the glory of playing in the National Football League to become an Army Ranger to be killed in Afghanistan in 2004 at the age of 27.

The film, directed by Amir Bar-Lev and narrated by Josh Brolin, looks at the events surrounding Tillman's death and the subsequent reaction of the military.

The story of Pat Tillman is well known by now. Turning down a multimillion-dollar NFL contract, Tillman enlisted in the Army Rangers in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001. In April 2004, he was killed. The government said he saved the lives of other soldiers during a Taliban ambush. After his death he received a Silver Star for valor. George W. Bush eulogized him as an American hero.

Members of Tillman's family began to ask questions. Tillman's father, Pat Sr., angered by the military's handling of his son's death wrote a letter accusing the military of fraud. That letter led to an internal investigation and a Congressional hearing at which military leaders were grilled about what they knew regarding the death and ensuing cover-up.

Stephen Holden of "The New York Times" wrote, "Nar-Lev's clear-sighted, emotionally steady documentary examines the family members' deepening inquiry into the circumstances of Tillman's death and chronicles their mounting rage at the military's misappropriation of his story. The film visits the canyon where he died and the soldiers who were with him and heard his final words, in which he tried to alert the unidentified troops only 40 yards away that he was on their side."

The film also includes information such as then-Brig. Gen. Stanley McChrystal learning the circumstances surrounding Tillman's death and going to considerable lengths to keep the friendly-fire investigation a secret from the family.

Andrew O'Hehir wrote in Salon.com, "It's a fascinating film, full of drama, intrigue, tragedy and righteous indignation, but maybe its greatest accomplishment is to make you feel the death of one young man - a truly independent thinker who hewed his own way through the world, in the finest American tradition - as a great loss."

The Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series features various events throughout the year. For information about this film, or any event in the Odyssey series, contact Judy Jacobi, PNC assistant vice chancellor of Marketing and Campus Relations, at 219.785.5200 ext. 5593. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Jacobi.