Lone Survivor has been called the best war movie since Saving Private Ryan

IT’S the war movie everyone’s talking about. And when you hear what Mark Wahlberg and Eric Bana did to prepare for the film, you’ll understand why.

“COMPARED to what people are used to seeing it’s a whole other level,” says actor Emile Hirsch of Lone Survivor.

The film tells the real life story of Operation Red Wing which was a plan through northern Afghanistan to “clean out” terrorists.

When a small group of Navy SEALs have their position compromised by a couple of goat herders they have to make the toughest decision — do they kill them or let them go and risk being outed?

The author of the book the film’s based on, Marcus Luttrell, believes his mission in life is to ensure as many people as possible know about his teammates and what they did out there in Afghanistan.

“What allows (Navy SEALs) to do what we do is because we are willing to go the extra mile for each other no matter what the cost,” says Luttrell.

A scene from Lone Survivor. Photo: Gregory R. Peters / Universal Pictures

Director Peter Berg agrees which is why he wanted to do the film so badly.

“It spoke to so many aspects of brotherhood and military life and sacrifice and character, that spoke a lot to me.”

And the actors chosen to portray the real life story don’t let the Navy SEALs down. Mark Wahlberg is an out and out star while it’s great to see a few familiar faces who have been out of action for awhile. Emile Hirsch and our own Eric Bana play great parts and their hairy faces are perfectly suited to the rough and tough roles.

Scene from Lone Survivor, Disney Picture: Supplied

What all the actors went through to portray the SEALs was nothing short of hardcore with two and a half weeks of proper SEAL training from real Navy SEALs.

“We put them through the wringer, we beat them hard, but they came together and you can see it,” says Luttrell of the training.

The stuntmen all put their bodies on the line as well, launching themselves four to five metres over boulders at a time.

But all the men and women involved in the film say it was worth it because in the words of Wahlberg, “hopefully the movie will impact audiences like it has impacted me and everyone else.”

Mark Wahlberg and the gang in Lone Survivor.

Lone Survivor is in cinemas Thursday, 20th February.

Watch the exclusive behind the scenes video of Lone Survivor above.