The U.S. government wanted to tell us something pretty about the death of patriotic American Pat Tillman, a man who gave up his professional football career to join the Army Rangers following 9/11.  They turned his death into propaganda and said he died heroically when it truth he was killed by friendly fire.  But it's the story of tragedy turned heroism as his family fought to uncover that truth.  It's an inspiring tale because the lie of Tillman's death mirrors the lie we were told about WMD in Iraq and the fact that his family refused to accept that lie and search for the truth, however unpleasant, tells us to challenge authority even if what we learn isn't as pretty as we wanted.  The documentary The Tillman Story tells the true story this courage and heroism.

Hit the jump to see the poster for the film and click here for the official website.  The Tillman Story opens on August 20th.  For another in-depth look at the Tillman case, check out Jon Krakauer's book Where Men Win Glory.

Here's the official synopsis for The Tillman Story:

When Pat Tillman gave up his professional football career to join the Army Rangers in 2002, he became an instant symbol of patriotic fervor and unflinching duty. But the truth about Pat Tillman is far more complex, and ultimately far more heroic, than the caricature. And when the government tried to turn his death into propaganda, they took on the wrong family. From her home in Northern California, Pat’s mother, Dannie Tillman, led the family’s crusade to reveal the truth beneath the mythology of their son’s life and death. THE TILLMAN STORY resounds with emotion and insight, and goes beyond an indictment of the government to touch on themes as timeless as the notion of heroism itself.

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