WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington rolled out the red carpet Tuesday night, welcoming stars and politicians for the D.C. premiere of “American Sniper.”
Bradley Cooper, who plays Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, attended with Kyle’s wife, Taya Kyle.
Directed by Clint Eastwood, “American Sniper” is a Hollywood biopic of Kyle, said to be the most lethal sniper in U.S. history, with 160 confirmed kills out of a possible 255. Kyle retired in 2009 and his book, on which the movie is based, was published in 2012. He and a friend were killed at a shooting range in 2013.
“It is extraordinarily accurate,” Taya Kyle said. “They put a lot of energy into making it as authentic as possible, and I think they nailed it. There is one thing about Chris’s brother, Jeff Kyle, that isn’t 100 percent accurate. Jeff is a little bit tougher than is portrayed.”
Chris Kyle served four tours downrange, earning several medals including two Silver Stars.
Cooper became semi-proficient in the use of the three sniper rifles Kyle used during his career, such as the .338 Lapua Magnum, the .300 Winchester Magnum, and the Mark 11 in order to better portray the US SEAL.
“I had great, great teachers,” he said.
Cooper has been part of the USO for several years and has visited Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I wish I could be out there and shake you guys’ hands and say thank you, but I can’t,” Cooper said. “I hope this movie gets to you guys, and that you like it. Thank you.”
In addition to Kyle and Cooper walking the red carpet, Ryan Gallucci, Deputy Director at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, spoke to reporters before seeing the film.
“What I found profound in the film came after Chris Kyle’s combat experience,” Gallucci said. “It had to with when he came home and how he interacted with his wife. It had to do with when he went to VA and what VA told him … But then also continuing to serve when he started to work with veterans bringing them out to the shooting range.”
The movie covers Kyle’s service in the military as well as his return home.
“There were a lot of people after Chris was killed who said, ‘I only spent one day with your husband and I felt like he was my best friend.’ And I think that is sort of a cool thing people can get out of this movie, too,” Taya Kyle said
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