Who's
In It: Christian Clemenson, Trish Gates, Polly Adams, Cheyenne Jackson, Opal
Alladin, Gary Commock, Nancy McDoniel, David Alan Basche, Richard Bekins Who
Directed It: Paul Greengrass
When Can I Buy It: NOW (Region
1)
United 93 - Reviewed by: Paul Heath
Audio Commentary with Director Paul Greengrass
“United
93: The Families and the Film” Documentary
Memorial Pages
Twin Towers Promo
September
11, 2001. Four planes were hijacked. Three of them reached their target. This
is the story of the fourth.
It
seems almost fitting, though irrelevant that I view and then review this movie,
UNITED 93 on September 11th. It wasn't planned, but by chance the DVD arrived
on my doorstep this morning, and being the day that it is, the fifth anniversary
of the tragedy of that dark day in September, I had to watch it. If only to remember.
Remember the loss that America, and the world suffered on that day.
Paul
Greengrass's movie focusses, almost in real time, on the vessel that didn't hit
its intended target, flight United 93, the fourth plane that was hijacked on the
morning of 9/11. The passengers and crew on Flight 93 managed to 'take' the plane
and overpower it to stop the terrorists carrying out their plans.
I
managed to catch this film in cinemas, and it was one of the those cinematic experiences
that I will not forget in a while. It's a hard hitting, unforgettable, touching,
and very important piece of filmmaking that has stayed with me ever since. I saw
the movie with a group of friends, and unlike our usual jovial trips to the multiplex,
this one had us all sitting, quiet and alone with our thoughts throughout, and
for a good five to ten minutes after the credits rolled. I thought that I would
have trouble watching it, and while I will not go too heavily into the 'too soon
debate,' I will say that before I saw it, I agreed that maybe it was too soon,
but after seeing it (especially after the second time), I now am of the thinking
that no, it wasn't.
Greengrass
employs his trademark shaky-cam, almost documentary style of filmmaking, and it
gives the film a perfect look and feel. There's no glossiness here. There are
no elaborate camera moves (expect in the opening scene where we have a sweeping
camera looking down on daybreak New York City), and there are no name actors.
In fact, the cast is made up of unknowns as well as other 'actors' making an appearance,
who were assuming the same roles on the day of the attacks. This brings a haunting
realism to the piece, and brings home the horror that these 40 or so people must
have gone through exactly five years ago to this day. Going back to the shaky-cam
style it may put a few people off, especially towards the end, but it certainly
isn't as disorientating on the home format compared to the original cinema projection.
Greengrass
has tried to capture a piece of history, and the film is more of a document to
the happenings of art of 9/11 than anything else. Certainly the film has the backing
of the families of the folks that perished that day, and judging by the accompanying
documentary, they all seem happy with the end result. The film touched me in a
way no other has this year (I'm yet to see Oliver Stone's WORLD TRADE CENTER),
and I personally believe that it is a fitting tribute to the forty people who
died on board Flight United 93 on 9/11/01. It's the kind of film that will always
have its critics, but viewing this movie on a day of reflection to those atrocities,
it's all quite humbling.
The
film features a scene specific audio commentary from director Paul Greengrass.
He talks about how he approached the subject matter and the obstacles that he
had to overcome to make it. He talks of the predicament that he had to actually
start the movie, and reveals that a whole segment of footage was filmed in Morocco,
but subsequently cut as it all felt redundant (the footage is said to feature
Osama bin Laden and associates). He also describes the relevance of certain scenes,
why he chose the actual people who worked in air traffic control etc. to play
their own parts, and why certain scenes were included (amongst other tidbits about
the production). An important commentary that's interesting and worthwhile.
We
also have a one hour documentary that contains interview material with the families
of those that died on board Flight 93. Some get to meet the actors that get to
portray their loved ones, and the climax features the relatives views on the completed
movie. A fitting feature, but not over the top in justifying the making of the
movie. Touching also.
We
also get text based biographies of those that died on United 93, as well as a
preview of the Academy Award winning short, TWIN TOWERS, which is also available.
To
roundup, I think that this is an important movie, that all must see, just to understand,
if nothing else, the horror that these people endured that day. There are thousands
of stories to be told of that that day, but in my mind, Greengrass has sensitively,
carefully and respectfully crafted a touching movie that documents one part of
one of our darkest days in modern history.
Who's
In It: Christian Clemenson, Trish Gates, Polly Adams, Cheyenne Jackson, Opal
Alladin, Gary Commock, Nancy McDoniel, David Alan Basche, Richard Bekins
