Lone Survivor inspires crowds as it hits box office

Taylor Felver, Student Editor

Lone Survivor opened in theatres on January 10, 2014 and beat top movies like Frozen in its first weekend making a near 40 million dollars. Directed by Peter Berg, Lone Survivor proves to be the most intense, heart – pounding war movie of this century.

 Lone Survivor, based on a true book written by Marcus Luttrell, is about his true-to-life experience as a Navy Seal during failed Operation Redwing in the highlands of Afghanistan. Mark Wahlberg, who plays Marcus, does an astounding performance that should have been nominated for an Oscar.

Marcus Luttrell went on Operation Redwing, an operation designed to target Taliban leader, Ahmad Shah, who is aligned with the Taliban and other militant groups close to the Pakistani border. This mission was compromised when the four-man mission team was spotted by local nationals, who most likely reported the presence and location of the four men to the Taliban. Lt. Michael Murphy, played by Taylor Kitsch, who then proceeded to try and reach the command base, but due to terrain location was unable to. An intense fire fight occurred on June 28, 2005, leaving all four men wounded.

As the fire fight continued, back-up was called from the Quick Reaction Bagram Air Base where helicopter’s tried to land on the rough terrain when a rocket- propelled grenade launcher struck the helicopter killing all 16 men aboard. By the end of a two hour gun fight, Michael Murphy, Matt Axelson, and Danny Dietz passed away due to multiple wounds.

Marcus Luttrell, with one bullet wound, three cracked vertebrae, and shrapnel embedded in both legs he was able to escape enemy territory by walking seven miles to a nearby village, where villagers kept him for three days and Luttrell was rescued because of the local generosity.

This movie is an intense, powerful, and resounding story of the bravery and sacrifice shown by the service members of Operation Red Wing. This movie is one of the most touching, most inspirational war movies since Saving Private Ryan. While many slowly slip out of theatres in tears, what’s left is the feeling of immense gratitude of how much dedication, valiance, and the ultimate sacrifice that is shown in America’s troops. Lone Survivor is one of the best movies of the year and will emphasize the importance in having the will to live.