Hellmant 'MURPH: THE PROTECTOR': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five) A documentary about the life of LT Michael P. Murphy; a Navy SEAL who lost his life, in 2005, fighting Taliban soldiers in the Hindu-Kush mountains (the incident was the basis for the popular 2013 war film 'LONE SURVIVOR'). This documentary was written and directed by Scott Mactavish, who also directed another documentary on American troops (in 2008) called 'GOD AND COUNTRY: UNTOLD STORIES OF THE American MILITARY'. This movie features archive video (and pictures) of Murphy, as his family and friends tell stories about him. I found it to be a very nice and inspiring film; not great filmmaking (in any way) but a nice tribute to someone who appears to have been a great modern hero.The documentary begins with Michael's parents (Maureen and Daniel), and other family and friends, telling of Michael's past; growing up in Patchogue, New York. Michael was called 'Murph' by his friends and known as 'The Protector'; for defending people that were often attacked or picked on (like a special needs student in 8th grade). He went to Penn State and graduated (in 1998) with degrees in political science and psychology. He joined the Navy SEALs after college and went to War in Afghanistan. He eventually became the leader of a four-man SEAL reconnaissance team (in an assignment called 'Operation Red Wings'). They were surrounded by Taliban troops on June 28th, 2005, when Murphy was killed. Michael posthumously earned the Medal of Honor in 2007.Like I said, the movie is a great tribute to someone who appeared to be a great man. As a film it's not really that interesting or compelling; it's basically just a lot of Murphy's friends and family telling stories about him and saying what a good guy he was. That's really nice for people that knew him but for people that never met the guy it doesn't really tell us that much about who he really was. The director can definitely use a lot more experience in filmmaking (and a bigger budget). It's also odd that Michael's buddy (and fellow Navy SEAL), Marcus Luttrell, isn't interviewed in the movie. Luttrell was the 'lone survivor' of Operation Red Wings and is the only guy that really knows what truly happened to Murphy. I know Luttrell was busy making 'LONE SURVIVOR' (as a technical adviser) but you'd think he could have found time to help out with this movie too. I think this documentary would have been much more fitting as a special feature on a 'LONE SURVIVOR' DVD (rather than it's own feature) but it is a decent tribute, all the same.Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6LTWP49XBs

juliamosby2004 If you are looking for a beautiful story about a great man this is the one! I am so proud of this man. I am not sure why people are so hard on this movie. Perhaps they have never seen what an unselfish act looks like, or they have no idea what freedom is. But I am sure they would behave differently if they were standing in front of the parents, family and friends of Murph or any of the others who died that day. This is a documentary. This is a true story. This is what unselfish sacrifice looks like. It is ugly, beautiful, and impossibly sad. Anyone I love this amazing country and this young man is one of the many reasons why. God bless you Murph and thank you to all who serve, and their families and friends.

tmacslc I first met Lt. Michael Murphy in the pages of Lone Survivor. I was instantly impressed with him and the leadership he showed and the sacrifice he made. I then read SEAL of Honor and Heart of a Lion. In these books I learned about Michael Murphy the man who became the SEAL. Murph the Protector is another glimpse into the live of a man I truly wish I could have met. I watched Murph the Protector after seeing the film Lone Survivor. Seeing what those men went through and then watching Murph gave me an even deeper respect for all of the men involved in Operation Red Wings and their families who gave so much. Murph the Protector is not about a war or a political agenda. It is not about a super hero or someone who is perfect. It is about a man who had a dream/goal and worked his butt off to attain it. Lt. Murphy made huge mistakes but learned from them and ensured they did not happen again. One of my favorite lines from the movie Lone Survivor is when members of the team are sitting at a picnic table and one of them says "You are Michael Murphy". More of us need to be like Michael Murphy.

kobycooper-975-631342 Heart warming story! I made my kids watch it so they could see what our brave men and women do for this country. They don't get much better than Murph! I felt so honored that his story was shared and can only hope that from this point forward there can be a little Murph in all of us. There are so many lessons to be learned from this movie, this mans life. I watched, laughed, cried, but at the end felt as though I knew him. One could only hope to know such a wonderful person. I was filled with pride knowing this man was an American, fought for America, and in the end, represented America to it's highest standards. I believe every American should see this movie, and than thank someone in the military for their service. We should never take for granted the freedom we have, nor should we forget that there has been a hard price paid. Thank you Murph! Thank you to all our military!