UPDATED: 'Tillman Story' still has an R (TW, DH, VAR)

By Nancy Tartaglione

UPDATE: "The Tillman Story" lost its appeal to have its R rating overturned by the Motion Picture Association of America.

The ruling follows a similar outcome last week for another documentary, "A Film Unfinished."

Both pictures appealed on the grounds that their subject matter made them historically important documents that deserved to be seen by teens who might otherwise not have access if the films were released with R ratings.

EARLIER:

Just 8 days ahead of its theatrical release, "The Tillman Story" is seeking a new rating. The Weinstein Co. announced yesterday that the filmmakers are appealing the "R" it was given by the MPAA based on its "excessive language."

The documentary is about Pat Tillman, the NFL player who died in Afghanistan. Tillman was killed by friendly fire, although the Bush administration initially insisted he was killed by enemy forces.

Deadline.com writes, "Of course, far be it from Weinsteins to miss an opportunity to generate controversy and enjoy the ensuing free publicity for their film...But in this case director Amir Bar Lev and producer John Battsek have an excellent argument."

"Of course there is excessive language," said Battsek. "This is a film that follows a truly exemplary family torn apart by the death of their loved one and the barrage of government deceit they encountered in their pursuit of the honest truth. We should be looking at this film as a way to show our younger generation the power of true family values and the sometimes unfortunate failings of our government."

"This is one of the most important films I've distributed in my career" Harvey Weinstein said in a press release, "and I want my teenage daughter, and the nation's young adults to be able to watch Pat's story. We need to learn from this story and limiting who can see it is not the answer."

The appeal is today.

This is the second time a documentary has caused a ratings kerfuffle in the past few weeks. Yael Hersonki was unsuccessful in his recent bid to overturn the R rating for his Holocaust documentary "A Film Unfinished."