United 93 - Review

I, and many others in the airline industry, DO believe that UAL 93 was shot down (perhaps), because of the lack of any wreckage from the crash. But, I have read and seen many of conspiracy scenarios...and if you follow them all the way to the end, they just do not add up. Missing people? Don't think so. Even missing airplanes are a bit hard to pull off. It's sad to think that so many believe that the horror of that day was not real. So many lives lost so America could go to war...it's so cynical!

"a movie which, oddly enough, feels every bit as real as that day didn't."
... which since they were both fake is no real surprise ... only in the USA is it believed that flight 93 wasnt shot down, landed elsewhere, or whatever conspiracy u like, and that all the calls were fake ... search a little, learn a lot :)

I am 3 months late in my reply, but I happened upon this site again tonight and I read Shann's comments from June 16th. Thankyou Shann for your kind, heartfelt thoughts. I am happy to say that on the 5th Anniversary of 9/11, I was able, for the first time, to watch the re-runs on TV of that entire terrible day, through the point when the Towers collapsed. I watched Memorials at the Tower site and the Flt. 93 crash site. I have never before been able to do this w/o being a wreck. I believe, being away from the job, off the airplane for an entire year in my retirement, has helped tremedously in my healing, along with the Grace of God. I still will not see the movie, nor the one with Nicholas Cage, "World Trade Center", which I have heard was also very well done. I have to say though, instead of the anger I used to feel over these movies being made....I am now understanding that they will hopefully help people to never forget the horror of all that occured. Because, I believe it should NEVER be forgotten. Like Oklahoma City, we should never forget the innocent lives lost to fanatical murderous terrorists, and we must never give up fighting them.

I have seen this film and I could say that it is both reflective and respectful. I admire British filmmaker Paul Greengrass for bringing this sensitive story to the screen. It is a fitting tribute to ordinary people caught up in a tragedy that they could never predicted. It focus on the prdinary people and their heroic courage, on how they acted not just for themselves but for the sake of innocent people on the ground, to prevent the terrorists from hitting their target. The famous line "let's roll" is a resolute statement. We could see how people turn to prayers, irregardless of faith and tradition. The the passengers pray in the face of danger and even the terrorists.

I agree with you, not anymore could handle this movie.

I saw this film and I agree with your review, it is not just a documentary style film, it is a true tribute to the individuals on that flight who fought not just for the survival of the Capitol building, but also for their very lives. This film shows everything from mundane routine in the beginning to sheer violence and terror towards the end. I hope this film gets an Academy Award nomination. It is in the same vein as 'Schindler's List' and 'Saving Private Ryan' in the way that it depicts history in absolute truth (even where we don't know the real truth, Greengrass makes very wise assumptions). Each of the actors/actresses involved deserves their accolades for giving dignity to their real-life counterparts...it is through their depictions that these 40 passengers and crew lived with honor in their final moments on Earth.

Upon reading Deb's remarks, I almost teared up actually because one of the most chilling moments in the film for me was when the head attendant is attacked...I won't go into details, but if you have seen the film, you know what I'm talking about. I read the bios of the attendants, and from the film, I could discern which attendant this was, and it actually made me cry, because I can't begin to imagine the horror that she must have faced in that situation and no one deserves to die in such a cruel and cold manner. All I can say is that you are a truly brave individual for doing what you do, because despite your inner turmoil, which I cannot begin to fathom, you maintained some truly amazing resolve in the presence of absolute evil, an evil which claimed the lives of your dear friends...it may be your job, but in light of these events, your job is one to be commended and admired. I salute you.

Thank YOU Rob, for your kind words. DJ, I had no idea that the memorial was shaped like a 'crescent'. http://www.flight93memorialproject.org/ I looked at the pictures of the Memorial there, and I was not quite sure what you were talking about. Yes, there is an area, next to the Sacred Bowl (& I am still not sure of what the area commemmorates; the site of the crash, or the flt. path before path?), that IS kind of cresent -shaped. Is that what you are referring to? Maybe you have a site with other pictures? Let us know. Thanks...Deb

Go see this movie. All our enemy has to do is watch this movie to know why they will never win. All we have to do is watch to be reminded of why we must fight.

I have not seen the movie or the trailer for it. I just wanted to comment on the proposed plan to memorialize those who were on flight 93 on September 11. The proposed site is large and the proposed memorial bears a striking resemblence to a crescent. This symbol is unacceptable to me, as an American. Those who died on this flight were fighting to save American lives from the terrorists whose religious symbol is a crescent. This is a travesty to those who lost their lives that day and to the families who remain. Those brave men and women deserve a memorial. The movie is using a portion of the first three days revenues to help in private funding for a memorial. I hope that those of you who feel as I do will wait to see this movie until the funding can be used in a more appropriate way. Sincerely, DJ

Deb that was very moving. I can understand how having this sprung upon you as you expected an evening of entertainment was very difficult.

God bless you and thank you for your courage.

Great review Josh. Honestly, I wasn't planning on seeing it, but reading your review has definitely made me change my mind, and now I think its something important to see. I live in Washington DC, and I sort of compare it to visiting the Holocaust Museum. Its not the kind of thing that's an "enjoyable" experience, you'll probably never find a time when you're "in the mood" to go, and when you come out, like you wrote, if you have any soul at all, you'll be pretty shook up, but its something that everyone should do.

I retired last June (2005) from 33 yrs. working as a United Flt Attendant. I was based in Newark, NJ. Flt 93 was a flight I had often worked. The crew of F/A's was a Newark-based crew. I knew all of them by name, two of them well...one extremely well. I was on vacation. It might have been my flight that day, otherwise. That day was one of the most horrific days of my life. The Towers, the planes...it was surreal. It could not be happening. It took 2 yrs. before I finally let it all out as post traumatic stress, and was unable to function, taking 6 mos. off work. The week after it happened we had a Memorial Service for our fallen comrades in Newark. 700 Flt. Attendants attended in uniform. We had funerals to attend. It was an individual experience, and a collective experience. The UAL Newark base was small & everyone knew everyone, just about. Three days after the Memorial Service, I worked my first flight. That's when I began to 'stuff' everything. That's when I became 'hyper-vigilant' in doing my job. At EVERY crew briefing, the pilots informed the crew, that if anything happened in the cabin, we as F/A's, were on our own. The cockpit door would remain closed, w/o exception. Everytime I sat on my jumpseat during a flight, I could not help thinking of the FEAR my fallen friends and co-workers must have experienced. Walking through the plane & checking people out, watching their behavior, was something we never had to think real seriously about in years past, other than to cut off the drunks from having another drink. Now we were looking out for possible killers. Someone who just might grab us from behind, and slit our throat. Being in the galley alone doing a chore, and having a passenger walk up behind you suddenly to use the restroom, would make you jump. As a working F/A it was EXTREMELY easy to imagine the hijackers doing this to our friends. EVERY flt. you worked, you were reminded of it. You could not help but talk about it. Envision it (afterall, we were on a PLANE, where it all happened). Everytime I worked a flight, I felt responsible for a plane-load of human lives. The cockpit could not help, so the passengers depended on us. Not much was said in the news about our brave co-workers & friends. It was always the heroic passengers that were given the credit. (And they were heroes, and should have been seen as such, absolutely!) What angered and saddened the F/A population, especially those of us based in Newark, was how little credit was ever given to our fallen comrades. We KNEW how they must have felt...we KNEW how responsible they felt for their passengers...how hard they would have tried to put aside their own fear to comfort others who were terrified. We KNEW how the hijacking murderers probably killed a few of them first to get them out of the way, and how our friends had to SEE that act of violence, or the aftermath. We knew that the terrorists would use the F/A's to try to enter the cockpit. Some F/A's could never return to the job. Some took a year off, and returned. Some had to stay, as I did, because financially there was no choice. But for the first time iin 30 yrs. of flying, I was scared on just about every flt. I was on, but I could not SHOW it. I had to keep smiling, and act calm and in control. FAR from what I felt. It was no surprise to the psychologist I later worked with, and my family & friends, that I finally 'crashed & burned' after 2 years of this supressed behavior. I LOVED being a Flt Attendant! For the last 3 1/2 yrs. I worked...I hated being one. I wanted out! But the passengers NEVER knew it. I was not alone in those sentiments. So why am I telling you this? I am not sure. Part therapy for me. Part of an effort to try to help people understand what it was/is like for a Flt. Attendant based in NJ & NY after 9/11. To tell you there is NO WAY IN HELL I could EVER view this movie, and that the 'trailer' I recently viewed (quite by shocked surprise) as I was waiting to see 'Inside Man' was extremely upsetting to see. I do not believe the 'trailers' should be shown in the movies. On TV, I can walk out of the room. For those of you who do choose to see it, please remember the Flt. Attendants. It's all I ask. And maybe think twice about getting ticked off, if you do not get your 2nd beverage fast enough, on your next flight. Especially if the F/A looks like she's been around awhile...9/11 & Flt 93 is never really far from his/her thoughts.

Great job Josh. Any chance this one will be remembered around Oscar time?

I have seen the trailer on the web. Can't quite follow why the US public is demanding to have this trailer being removed from the theatres.

Is very honorable that the writer/director talked to all the direct relatives which were on flight UA 93. Surprisingly he got full unanimous approval to go ahead with the project.

Countless films were made on Pearl Harbour; we also have to come to terms with our (new) nearby history and if the film may help to achieve that it it has served its cause.

Excellent review. I wasn't sure about this film at first, but the more I hear about it from those who have seen the movie, the more I am convinced that Greengrass has applied the same no-holds approach to this film that he did "Bloody Sunday", a movie that left me stunned for quite some time after I watched it.

Nice review Josh. Although I was never sure if this movie was a good idea or not, I did know that with Greengrass's reputation for previously making excellent movies about difficult real-life subject matter he was a better choice to take on a project like this than someone like Oliver Stone.

I hope that quote makes the DVD cover :)

Thanks Patrick. Appreciate the kind words.

This wasn't an easy one to watch or review.

Excellent review. I can't say I am looking forward to the movie, but because all accounts so far praise it as an excellent bit of work, I will go see it as soon as I can manage.

"This isn't a movie; it is a testament to what happened that day."

Good line there. If I was someone in marketing, I might be tempted to use it. :)