American Sniper: The Story of Chris Kyle and His Legacy

NEW YORK, NY — ‘American Sniper’ depicts the life of Chris Kyle, recognized as the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. The 2014 film, which earned six Academy Award nominations, follows U.S. Navy SEAL Kyle as he completes four tours in Iraq. It is now available to stream.

Kyle, born in Odessa, Texas, served in Iraq from 1999 to 2009 and demonstrated exceptional marksmanship from a young age while hunting with his father. After a rodeo injury cut his athletic career short, he joined the Navy SEALs at age 25.

During his military service, Kyle faced significant challenges, including surviving sniper wounds, multiple helicopter crashes, and IED attacks. He is said to have achieved over 160 confirmed kills, a number he believed was closer to 300.

Kyle’s autobiography, published in 2012, provided the source material for the film. Screenwriter Jason Hall collaborated closely with Kyle during the writing process. “I communicated with Chris the entire time, asking him questions,” Hall said.

After Kyle was tragically killed in 2013, his wife, Taya, assisted Hall in finishing the script, sharing insights into her husband’s personality. Hall noted that the film dramatically evolved after Kyle’s death, shifting the focus to the sacrifices made by soldiers.

Some film aspects diverge from real life; for example, a dining scene with a civilian family never occurred. Additionally, certain antagonists were fictionalized or exaggerated.

Following his military retirement, Kyle focused on supporting veterans dealing with PTSD. He often invited them to shooting ranges, believing shared experiences could help with their struggles.

On February 2, 2013, Kyle and a friend were murdered by ex-Marine Eddie Ray Routh at a Texas shooting range. Routh was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Kyle’s funeral was held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 11, 2013, accommodating around 7,000 mourners.

Despite its controversies, ‘American Sniper’ remains a film that brings Kyle’s impactful story to audiences.