Extra Cinema: Lone Survivor (15)

Undated Film Still Handout from Lone Survivor. Pictured: Mark Wahlberg as Marcus Luttrell. See PA Feature FILM Film Reviews. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Universal Pictures. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FILM Film Reviews.

Director: Peter Berg

Based on the true story of a failed Navy SEALs operation to kill a high-ranking member of the Taliban, Lone Survivor is a rousing tribute to the men who perished in June 2005 while serving their country.

At Bagram Air Base, Marcus Luttrell (Mark Wahlberg), Michael Murphy (Taylor Kitsch), Danny Dietz (Emile Hirsch) and Matt Axelson (Ben Foster) await their assignment.

Lieutenant Commander Erik Kristensen (Eric Bana) gives the order to hunt Ahmad Shah (Yousuf Azami), who is suspected of killing marines in Afghanistan.

The reconnaissance is fatally compromised when three shepherds, two of whom are boys, stumble on the SEALs’ hiding place.

Murphy takes the final decision to let the villagers go — and within hours, the SEALs are surrounded by hundreds of Taliban.

Be warned though: the resulting confrontation —  especially the final 30 minutes or so — is not for the squeamish.

Rating: 8/10