Rent Lone Survivor (2013)

A stunning, inspirational & brilliantly crafted film about the US Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell - Lone Survivor review by TB

The story of Marcus Luttrell is so incredible, so going against every possible odd, that you almost don't believe it happened. Luttrell is part of an elite unit of US Navy Seals, inserted deep behind enemy lines in Afghanistan in order to execute a Taliban warlord. Whilst moving to the location, the team encounter a couple of villagers with a walkie-talkie. Despite the vehement protestations of some members of the team, the villagers are released due to the Geneva Convention (it is illegal to kill noncombatants) and the mission cancelled. However, the villagers raise the alarm & the unit is forced to fight off hoardes of fighters.

After this story of bravery was told to the general public, it became almost the stuff of legend, especially given the reverence that the military is given in America (and something we could do with much more in the UK.) But, as was shown extremely clearly in the special features, for many years, Luttrell and the families of the other soldiers refused to allow the story to be adapted into a Hollywood film. The reason for this was because they were adamant that the film had to be honest. It would have been the default to make this story basically an Expendables-style endless gunfight film, with those filmmakers effectively using the bare bones of the story as their get out of jail free card.

So, although there is some dramatic licence taken, the vast majority of what is seen on screen happened. And the way the film suddenly turns from a story of survival into something far more complex, nuanced and, welcomingly for a major Hollywood production, not showing one particular religion consisting entirely of evil, bloodthirsty psychopaths, really draws you into the story.

For some people, the fact that in the opening scenes, it is an extremely American, flag-waving & patriotic film, will put them off. However, for me this perfectly juxtaposes the trajectory the story goes on: you need to have that faith & self-belief, alongside accepting help & support from people you may consider to be your sworn enemies.

Mark Wahlberg is perfectly cast, really being able to not only show the toughness which has be a mainstay of his career/characters, but also an extreme vulnerability and fear, which you wouldn't expect. The other cast members are also great, really committing to the real life characters they play. The filming & editing is also exceptional, the tension constantly being ratcheted up until it is almost unbearable.

An amazing film and the start of the partnership/collaboration between Wahlberg and Peter Berg, the director.

Gritty Modern Combat Film - Lone Survivor review by GI

This is certainly a gritty, hard-edged modern war film full of blood and gung-ho and being an American film based on true story it's also a bit of a flag waver. That can be forgiven because it really delivers as a genre film with a four man Navy Seal team led by Taylor Kitsch with Mark Wahlberg, Emile Hirsch and Ben Foster as the crew sent into Taliban country to kill a notorious tribal leader. They are disturbed by some goatherds and have to abandon their mission but are relentlessly pursued by a large force of Taliban. The combat scenes are realistic and violent, the stunt work is especially impressive and I did like the scene where the four men debate whether to kill the three goat herders or not but are restrained by the rules of engagement. The story doesn't shy away from the fact they did debate it although the films nominal star, Wahlberg, does opt for the moral choice as you'd expect. Americans and Hollywood love their heroes and consequently you do get the sense of patriotism strong and bold through the narrative. That's ok because it's a gripping war film and doesn't fail to deliver. A pity the title gives away the ending!!!