Seal of courage

Rating: 7/10 (14 August 2014)

This is a straightforward film based on the book by Marcus Luttrell, but it lets itself down with the occasional "Rambo" touch.
The book is the true story of how a four-man reconnaissance team of US Navy SEALs was ambushed, and their epic battle before three of them, and a helicopter full of rescuers were killed. The badly wounded lone survivor, Marcus Luttrell, was saved by Afghan tribesmen honouring the ancient tradition of defending a guest no matter what.
About a third of the book was devoted to the selection and training of the Navy SEALs, and although training footage is shown under the opening credits, the movie concentrates on the mission, the ambush and the aftermath.
Little of the political viewpoint of the book is in the movie, which might be a good thing – claims such as Saddam Hussein supporting Al-Qaeda, don't fit with the known facts. However, the book makes some interesting points about how Western media and Rules of Engagement can jeopardise coalition soldier's lives.
A jarring note in the movie is the heavy-handed way the Taliban are portrayed in the early sequence when they attack a village; it smacks a little of actors in costume. Surely it would have been better if they had been simply introduced from the POV of the SEALs as they observe the village just before the ambush.
The movie is faithful to the book except for the final battle at the end, which weakens its integrity, especially when Mark Wahlberg as Marcus Luttrell starts wielding a knife.
The book is a good read and the description of the battle with the Taliban, which the film follows closely, is one of the most exciting passages of its kind – maybe a bit too exciting? The book has been accused of exaggerating the number of Taliban involved and the casualties they suffered – even Luttrell's after-action report gives less than half the number given in the book.
This is similar to the problems with the far more controversial "Bravo Two Zero", the story of a British SAS patrol during the Gulf War. It appears that a great deal of colourful action was added to that account.
Coincidentally, the same thing, goat herders, compromised both missions. They seem a more effective early warning system than any number of satellites.
I remember thinking when the inconsistencies over "Bravo Two Zero" came to light, why do it? The exaggeration detracted from the real bravery of soldiers trapped behind enemy lines, their endurance and courage in the face of torture – it's as though the author feared the readers wouldn't think it brave enough.
The same applies to "Lone Survivor"; the courage of the SEALs, and the heroism of the team leader who sacrificed himself to make the call for help isn't diminished no matter the numbers involved.
With that said, Peter Berg's movie is competently made, and is obviously a heart-felt tribute to a small band of modern-day warriors who put themselves in harm's way for values they believed in.