"American Sniper...controversy." Topic

"The movie American Sniper, which opens this week, is the kind of film that is bound to draw attention and generate controversy. Directed by Clint Eastwood, it is based on the life of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL who was the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.

Credited with over 160 kills, Kyle served four tours in Iraq. He finally returned to the United States, retired from the military, and became president of a security and training firm. He also worked to help other veterans affected by the war. It was one of those vets, reportedly suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, who killed Kyle when they went to a shooting range.

Critics have given the film favorable reviews, calling it "a devastating war movie and a devastating antiwar movie", "a tribute to the warrior and a lament for war" and "complex and ruminative." Some reviewers have compared it to Kathryn Bigelow's The Hurt Locker because the hero can't resist putting himself in harm's way…"
Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

What can I say? It's a commercial movie that's nominated for Best Picture. They have to humanize the character and portray him as an emotional human being rather than an automaton killer, even if it's not accurate.

I never met Chris Kyle but did work with a couple SEAL's who served with him. There is no doubt that Chris Kyle was an excellent SEAL.

However, he was known to tell some tall tails and embellish events.

Chris claimed while on active duty him and another SEAL climbed on top of the New Orleans Stadium after Katrina and shot around 30 looters. Needless to say the murder of US citizens by US military was investigated. It was found that no SEAL's were even in New Orleans after Katrina and Chris Kyle not even part of the SEAL's that conducted water rescues along the coast.

Chris Kyle claimed after leaving the military. He was in a small town in Texas, two men tried to carjack him at a gas station. He shot and killed both of them and when the police arrived. They called the DoD who told the police who Chris Kyle was and what a great ex-SEAL he was. The town didn't want a lot of news media so that was it. A check of all the county coroner's offices in Texas proved no dead bodies matching the story.

Just about everyone has heard about Jesse Ventura sueing Chris Kyle's estate for him claiming to have punched Ventura in a bar fight. Ventura sued Kyle when he was still alive. Chris Kyle completed a video deposition that was over two hours long. From the video and the trial we found out several things. Chris Kyle said the incident happened outside the bar. Another SEAL there with kyle claimed it happened inside. Another witness said it happened on the patio. Kyle and his witnesses all said it happened sometime between 3:30pm and 5:00pm. Kyle and his witnesses all said Ventura was knocked down and had a swollen black eye. Kyle admitted he fled the scene after punching scruff face to avoid any police problems.

The owner of the bar a retired SEAL said no fight happened in the bar the evening Ventura waas there. Ventura showed up around 7:30pm with some friends. Ventura signed some autographs and visited for about an hour and left.

Ventura witnesses said he arrived at the bar around 7:00 or 7:30pm. He signed some autographs and talked to a few people. Then left cause they had an early SEAL graduation to go to in the morning.

Ventura testified and showed proof he was on an air plane until 6:00pm. Landed, got his car rental and met some friends at the SEAL bar between 7pm and 7:30pm. Ventura said he was at the bar for about an hour and left. Videos and pictures of him the next day at the SEAL graduation show he did not have any injury to his face, no black eye or swollen eye.

Also during the trial the publisher of Chris Kyle's book testified sales of the book "skyrocketed" after Chris Kyle told the story about punching Ventura while out promoting the book. Kyle's book also claimed 100% of the profit from the book was going to charities that support SEAL's. Yet his wife testified out of the $6 USD million the book made less than $50,000 USD had gone to charities.

So who ever Chris Kyle punched, it wasn't Jesse Ventura and the jury ruled in Ventura's favor.

Does this mean Chris Kyle is a liar and no good so and so. From the two SEAL's I know, they said Chris Kyle was a great guy and fun to be around. They said it was a running joke with him and his friends about the "tall tails" he would tell. They said he was a great SEAL but he didn't do anything more than any of the other SEAL's deployed with him. Chris Kyle wrote a book and everyone took it at face value with out knowing his sense of humor. In interviews its clear Chris Kyle was very humble and down played the events in the book.

A thought-provoking article on what promises to be a challenging and ambiguous film.

I've enjoyed most of what Clint has directed and acted in during recent years so I'll probably try and watch it. Comparing it to the Hurt Locker doesn't do it many favours, tough, in my book (a film that has its moments but is seriously flawed in some areas, IMHO)

John T

Sounds like a great movie … However, I have heard some ultra-liberal comments about the military and those like Kyle who not only did their job but did it very well. Easy to make comments online from the comfort of a chair and PC in clean warm office or home … Of course that is everyone's right to say so. But some forget or never got it that things like Freedom of Speech in not free. Without people like Kyle, etc. going back all the way to the AWI … where btw, snipers played their part too … again … Freedom is not Free … Just say'n …

Freedom of Speech in not free

Agreed Legion:

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.

George Orwell

A fave quote of mine and from a man whose poltical views varied throughout his life (as a lot of people's do) from a "Tory-anarchist" to a "Socialist".

It holds true irrespective of ones political 'colours': for civilsation to continue, someone has to go out there and 'do violence on [our] behalf'.

An inescapable fact of life.

John T

That is one of my favorite quotes too … It's a very dangerous world out there. And always has been. Regardless how some may not understand that or find soldiers repugnant, etc. in some way. Soldiers are and were and will be a very much "necessary evil" as some may call the paradigm. And the better trained, armed, prepared, etc. make soldiers that much more effective. "Pray for Peace, but prepare for War.", the old saying goes, link …

I have heard some ultra-liberal comments about the military and those like Kyle who not only did their job but did it very well. Easy to make comments online from the comfort of a chair and PC in clean warm office or home

I agree with you but also would note that there are a lot of liberal veterans too and plenty of armchairs hosting more rightish thinkers

True … everybody has an is entitled to an opinion … But I too can choose to agree or disagree …

I have a lot more respect for veterans who are humble and unassuming, as opposed to the loudmouths who run their mouths off about how great they were. Kyle falls more into the second category.

Also agree with Sigwald's comment.

When it comes to a lot of Spec ops missions, I feel, the only way the public should hear about it generally is years later when things are declassified. Save for things like UBL being taken out. AFAIK, there are some things from WWII that are still classified, yes ?

The only "controversy" about this film is manufactured by the PR folks to convince easily manipulated "Patriots" to buy tickets because "Murricah!". Mission Accomplished. – a somewhat "liberal" veteran who enjoys his armchair a whole lot more than riding through Baghdad literally with his ass in a sling

The only "controversy" about this film is manufactured by the PR folks to convince easily manipulated "Patriots" to buy tickets because "Murricah!".

I don't disagree with the PR sponsored controversy idea. There is a llywood saying to the affect that there is no bad publicity.

Much like we will see in a few weeks when 6 Trillion americans suddenly become 1-day NFL football fans for the super bowl. Or the Olympics when Michael Phelps is everyone's dream god for a few days. If you can drive the conversation, you can win at the cash register.

as opposed to the loudmouths who run their mouths off about how great they were. Kyle falls more into the second category.

After seeing an interview with Kyle, about his book, etc., I strongly have to disagree with that comment.
And yes, as Rubber Suit Theatre and ZoC mentioned, PR staffers, etc. can always stir up a lot of "sunshine" patriots, etc. … I may be a bit biased, as I started cadet training in '75. And the "haters", Anti-War types etc., were still about. And remember getting the Nazi salutes, middle fingers, etc. when being in uniform, etc. … I guess I still don't trust some people … just say'n …

Truer words were never spoken, RST.