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- United 93 Honors the Flight’s Courageous Passengers & Crew
- World Trade Center Pays Tribute to New York’s Finest
- Two Poignant & Powerful Pictures About the 9/11 Tragedy
As a child of immigrants who grew up in New York City, the events of September 11, 2001, hit particularly close to home for me. The devastation and loss felt like a personal attack on my community, and I remember feeling both helpless and heartbroken as I watched the news unfold that day.
On September 11, 2001, an appalling and destructive event occurred in the United States when terrorists affiliated with al-Qaeda seized control of four commercial planes. Two of these planes collided with the World Trade Center towers, another hit the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed in rural Pennsylvania after a struggle between the crew and passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, who managed to thwart the plane from reaching its planned target, believed to be the Capitol Building. In total, 2,977 lives were lost that fateful day, leaving an indelible mark on American history, causing the nation’s spirit to shift dramatically, and prompting global sorrow.
2006 marked a significant moment in cinema when Hollywood chose to commemorate the brave individuals who perished or risked their lives during the 9/11 tragedy. Two films, Paul Greengrass’ “United 93” and Oliver Stone’s “World Trade Center,” were released, leaving audiences spellbound with their powerful and emotional portrayals of those events. Each film masterfully recreates the terrifying events of that fateful day, serving as a tribute to the victims and all whose lives were altered by the devastating attack. In remembrance of those who lost their lives on 9/11, let’s delve into the stories each film tells and the reactions they elicited from moviegoers.
United 93 Honors the Flight’s Courageous Passengers & Crew
The heroic struggles of the United Airlines Flight 93 passengers and crew are portrayed in Paul Greengrass’ emotionally stirring docudrama thriller, “United 93.” This film offers a compelling portrayal of the September 11, 2001 events, focusing on how the passengers resisted the terrorists who hijacked the plane and attempted to thwart a larger disaster. Notably, Flight 93 was the sole plane that did not reach its targeted destination. The poignant and impactful movie narrates the story of the hijacking and details what transpired both in the skies and on the ground following the hijackings of three other planes during the 9/11 attacks.
United 93″ marked the first instance of a Hollywood movie basing its storyline on the real-life events of September 11, 2001. Director Paul Greengrass even cast some individuals who were directly involved in the tragedy, such as television journalist Thomas Roberts and FAA operations manager Ben Sliney, to appear in the film. Additionally, Greengrass kept the actors portraying the passengers and crew members isolated from those acting as hijackers, aiming to generate tension and hostility between the two groups on screen.
The filming process of United 93 was somber and intense, mirroring the actual flight’s movement in its set design. Some actors even sustained injuries during the rebellion scene, with genuine, authentic blood depicted on their faces. The production involved cooperation from many (though not all) of the passengers’ families, and a tenth of the film’s initial three-day box office earnings were pledged to establish a memorial for the flight victims. United 93 was a critically acclaimed and commercially successful movie, earning over $76 million and receiving praise as one of the year’s top releases and a heartfelt tribute to the passengers’ memories.
World Trade Center Pays Tribute to New York’s Finest
Another gripping and deeply compelling picture that was also released in 2006 was Oliver Stone’s docudrama disaster film World Trade Center, which features the talents of Nicolas Cage, Michael Peña, Michael Shannon, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, and shines a light on the brave and noble actions of a team of New York City police officers who become trapped inside the rubble of the World Trade Center on September 11 following the terrorist attacks. Sgt. John McLoughlin (Cage) and Officer Will Jimeno (Peña) must fight to stay alive after being stuck in the wreckage after helping people escape, and they must agonizingly wait for their rescue team to locate them.
McLoughlin, Jimeno, and their spouses were all part of writing and producing the film as a way to honor and commemorate their fallen colleagues and rescuers who tragically lost their lives on 9/11. In the finale of the docudrama, these two brave men even made a brief appearance, with survivors gathering for a joyous barbecue. When asked why they chose to participate in World Trade Center, Donna McLoughlin explained, “We got involved because we felt it was important to get it right. We wanted to do the honorable thing and I believe the filmmakers shared that sentiment too.
As a movie reviewer, I found that while some creative liberties were taken with the characters of paramedic Chuck Sereika and rescuer Dave Karnes – and their screen time was regrettably limited – the producers of “World Trade Center” took great strides to ensure accuracy by consulting with September 11 victim groups regarding their intentions and mission. This dedication to authenticity resonated deeply with both the FDNY and NYPD upon its release, earning them respect and admiration for portraying the unsung heroes who put their lives on the line during that tragic event. The film went on to gross an impressive $163 million and received an A- CinemaScore from audiences, underscoring the appreciation felt for this poignant tribute to the brave men and women who risked everything on that fateful day.
Two Poignant & Powerful Pictures About the 9/11 Tragedy
These films, United 93 and World Trade Center, stand as poignant memorials to the heroic individuals who sacrificed their lives in an attempt to protect their nation and fellow citizens. Each movie offers a gripping portrayal of that fateful day that indelibly marked the United States. The raw emotion and sorrow that strikes viewers and tightens their hearts while watching United 93, however, is tangible; spectators are aware of how the tense narrative will play out, even as they empathize with the desperate passengers trying to avert disaster.
Witnessing the bravery of these individuals as they confronted the hijackers, disregarding their own safety and probably overwhelmed by fear and terror, was incredibly impactful. Critics such as Roger Ebert have praised United 93 as “masterful and heartbreaking,” stating that it “honors the memory of the victims.” This moving film has even been included on The A.V. Club’s list of films that are too difficult to watch more than once. Paul Greengrass, the director, was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Director for his work on United 93. The movie sensitively and respectfully tackles a heavy subject matter, offering a powerful portrayal of the true heroes who selflessly gave their all for their country.
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2024-09-12 00:31