Military-entertainment complex? Act of Valor film described as 'beyond propaganda'

Al Jazeera English's Nic Muirhead on Sunday explained the growing relationship between the Department of Defense and Hollywood, particularly in regards to the action film Act of Valor.

"We are not longer simply borrowing material or ideas or roles, we're actually borrowing the military itself to make a movie," author Michael Ryan said. "This is entirely new and it is dangerously new. It is going a little bit beyond propaganda. It is something else entirely.

The Pentagon has offered its technology to filmmakers for years, providing movie studios with planes, tanks and other assets.

But Act of Valor was actually commissioned by the Navy's Special Warfare Command and the lead roles were played by active-duty military personnel. The Navy hopes the film will help recruit new Navy SEALs.

Watch video, courtesy of Al Jazeera English, below: