Flight 93 is something that I do not believe we will ever fully understand, not because of our limitations to cope with the facts but because the facts will not in my opinion ever be revealed to us. The events which occurred on 9/11 have been subject to much speculation and cause for many conspiracy ... Read review
September 11th 2001. 8:42 A.M.By the time United Flight 93 leaves Newark Airport, three ... more
planes have already been hijacked and are closing in on their targets. Minutes later two of the jets slam into the twin towers of New York's World Trade centre. As ...
September 11th 2001. 8.42a.m.By the time United Flight 93 leaves Newark Airport, three ... more
planes have already been hijacked and are closing in on their targets. Minutes later two of the jets slam into the twin towers of New York's World Trade Centre.As the devastating news reaches the passengers and crew on board Flight 93, they realise they too are in the hands of hijackers on a deadly mission of their own.This is the true story of that fateful 90-minute flight and the heroic action, taken in the air and on the ground, to stop the terrorists turning Flight 93 into a guided missile...
September 11, 2001: The date is now synonymous with the terrorist attacks on the World ... more
Trade Centre in New York. Often overlooked are the heroic actions of passengers and crew on board the plane that didn't reach it's target: The White House.For the passengers on board, it was an ordinary day, on an ordinary flight. The situation they would find themselves in within minutes of take off would be the most terrifying and telling of their whole lives. The passengers decision to try and take back control of the aircraft from the terrorists would leave each one with a terrifying realisation: that if they took no action they would die along with the countless others on the ground.This documentary chronicles in depth, the events leading up to the flight as well as on board, derived from official records, recorded telephone conversations, eye witness accounts and interviews with close family and friends. This programme sensitively and accurately tells the true story of 33 heroes who were born on that fateful day. The day the world lost its innocence and woke up to the age of international terrorism.
Three months before the much-publicized theatrical release ofUnited 93, the same true-life ... more
tragedy was faithfully dramatized inFlight 93, an equally praiseworthy TV movie that was originally broadcast on the A&E network in the US on January 30, 2006. The fourth plane to be hijacked on September 11th, 2001--and the only plane that didn't reach its intended terrorist target--is the riveting subject of this film, which unfolds in real-time (similar but not identical toUnited 93), beginning with the terrorists' preparations and boarding of the ill-fated flight. We then follow the notorious events as they unfold, and from that moment on, it's nearly impossible to take your eyes off the screen. The intense drama focuses on the passengers who ultimately thwarted the terrorists--they include Tom Burnett (Jeffrey Nordling), Todd Beamer (Brennan Elliot), and Mark Bingham (Ty Olsson)--but as their counter-attack plans are being made, the action also reveals the chaotic nature of the ground response, from the White House bunker (where Vice President Cheney was moved for security) to Offices of the Federal Aviation Agency, Verizon headquarters (where in-flight calls were monitored), and United Airlines flight control, where pilots and terrorists alike could be heard throughout the terrible ordeal of the hijacking.To his credit, director Peter Markle steers clear from any sense of exploitation (it helps that there was a five-year gap between the 9/11 tragedy and this respectable film); furthermore, both Markle and screenwriter Nevin Schreiner avoid the pitfalls of melodrama by keeping the action rooted in the facts as we know them. Speculation is necessary for some of the dramatic details, butFlight 93benefits from a well-chosen cast of unknowns, which enhances our belief in them as ordinary citizens under extraordinary circumstances. As you might expect, several scenes are inherently unforgettable (up to and including the now heroic phrase "Let's roll!" as the counter-attack begins), and the authentically played emotions are further intensified by realistic special effects by Gary Gutierrez, who performed similarly laudable duties onThe Right Stuff23 years earlier, at the start of his visual effects career. Produced with the cooperation of surviving family members of those who perished on Flight 93, this well-made TV film handles difficult material with grace under pressure, and that alone serves as an admirable tribute to those brave passengers who gave their lives so that others could be saved. --Jeff Shannon
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Three months before the much-publicized theatrical release ofUnited 93, the same true-life ... more
tragedy was faithfully dramatized inFlight 93, an equally praiseworthy TV movie that was originally broadcast on the A&E network in the US on January 30, 2006. The fourth plane to be hijacked on September 11th, 2001--and the only plane that didn't reach its intended terrorist target--is the riveting subject of this film, which unfolds in real-time (similar but not identical toUnited 93), beginning with the terrorists' preparations and boarding of the ill-fated flight. We then follow the notorious events as they unfold, and from that moment on, it's nearly impossible to take your eyes off the screen. The intense drama focuses on the passengers who ultimately thwarted the terrorists--they include Tom Burnett (Jeffrey Nordling), Todd Beamer (Brennan Elliot), and Mark Bingham (Ty Olsson)--but as their counter-attack plans are being made, the action also reveals the chaotic nature of the ground response, from the White House bunker (where Vice President Cheney was moved for security) to Offices of the Federal Aviation Agency, Verizon headquarters (where in-flight calls were monitored), and United Airlines flight control, where pilots and terrorists alike could be heard throughout the terrible ordeal of the hijacking.To his credit, director Peter Markle steers clear from any sense of exploitation (it helps that there was a five-year gap between the 9/11 tragedy and this respectable film); furthermore, both Markle and screenwriter Nevin Schreiner avoid the pitfalls of melodrama by keeping the action rooted in the facts as we know them. Speculation is necessary for some of the dramatic details, butFlight 93benefits from a well-chosen cast of unknowns, which enhances our belief in them as ordinary citizens under extraordinary circumstances. As you might expect, several scenes are inherently unforgettable (up to and including the now heroic phrase "Let's roll!" as the counter-attack begins), and the authentically played emotions are further intensified by realistic special effects by Gary Gutierrez, who performed similarly laudable duties onThe Right Stuff23 years earlier, at the start of his visual effects career. Produced with the cooperation of surviving family members of those who perished on Flight 93, this well-made TV film handles difficult material with grace under pressure, and that alone serves as an admirable tribute to those brave passengers who gave their lives so that others could be saved. --Jeff Shannon
Postage & Packaging:Check Site. Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 2003 - Action/Adventure - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Tom Welling, Kristin Kreuk, Michael Rosenbaum, Sam Jones III, Allison Mack, Eric Johnson, Annette O'Toole, John Glover, John Schneider
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
Advantages: Educates on the subject effectively Disadvantages: is only based on 'facts'
Flight 93 is something that I do not believe we will ever fully understand, not because of our limitations to cope with the facts but because the facts will not in my opinion ever be revealed to us. The events which occurred on 9/11 have been subject to much speculation and cause for many conspiracy theories, the film ‘Flight 93’ was created to show us ‘what happened’ on one of the planes whilst in the sky.
=== Please ... ...
== Flight 93 Outside of the Film ==
On September 11th 2001 a United Airlines flight was scheduled to fly from Newark International Airport to San Francisco this was flight 93. The flight was hijacked by four terrorists and the plane was a part of the September 11th attacks which diverted three other planes into targets, The World Trade Centre and the Pentagon causing America to plunge into disbelief and tragedy ... more
Flight 93 is something that I do not believe we will ever fully understand, not because of our limitations to cope with the facts but because the facts will not in my opinion ever be revealed to us. The events which occurred on 9/11 have been subject to much speculation and cause for many conspiracy theories, the film ‘Flight 93’ was created to show us ‘what happened’ on one of the planes whilst in the sky.
Please Note
Before reading this review please accept that I will be comparing the film with theories, facts and my opinions and therefore a review of the whole subject may become apparent, also due to the media coverage of this event I must stress that this is more of a documentary than a film and therefore the plot will be revealed in my text. Not because I want to spoil it for you, but because the plot is not a surprise if you were alive in 2001!
Flight 93 Outside of the Film
On September 11th 2001 a United Airlines flight was scheduled to fly from Newark International Airport to San Francisco this was flight 93. The flight was hijacked by four terrorists and the plane was a part of the September 11th attacks which diverted three other planes into targets, The World Trade Centre and the Pentagon causing America to plunge into disbelief and tragedy to spread across the world.
Flight 93 is said to have been taken over by four Islamic terrorists who took control of the planes cockpit and threatened the passengers with a bomb, which has not been ever proven to have been on board, and according to families who spoke to passengers during the flight the bomb was not revealed. In a brave attempt to regain control of the plane the passengers of Flight 93 rebelled against their attackers and the plane never reached its target which was suspected to be the White House or another popular and busy target or main city.
During the events many passengers made calls to their families and loved ones to say their goodbyes and to tell them of the events which were happening on the plane which eventually went down in a field in Pennsylvania killing all 40 passengers, the crew and the four hijackers.
In the Film
The events as written above are the ‘facts’ that we have been given and these are portrayed almost identically in the film. The film follows the text book almost word for word with showing the passengers board the plane, get into the air then get hijacked by four young Islamic terrorists who then kill the pilots and take control of the cockpit. The film then shows the emotional calls from the passengers to their most loved and eventually the passengers revolt and the plane hits ground in a field far from any main city.
Film or Documentary?
The film follows the ‘facts’ very closely the storyline is focused and does not dither from the subject of 9/11, although this production is movie length, with a cast and a reasonable budget make no mistake this is not film it is a documentary.
The director plays this wonderfully however and the documentary is made like a Hollywood movie, this of course ropes you into the story even further and at points throughout the film it is easy to forget that the film is based on a harrowing real life event.
The documentary is even structured like a movie, the beginning shows the passengers on the ground boarding the plane, it shows them in their natural environment, with their lovers, with their children, the scenes at the beginning really introduce the main characters and give an insight into their lives. This is of course to gripe the audience emotionally into the film and ensure they are able to relate to each character.
The middle of the film is the most tense and emotional part in which the passengers are made aware that their flight has now been hijacked and they are making emotional calls to their family and loved ones and planning how to get control of the plane. This part of the film is very effective, after coming to know some of the passengers and crew it is very emotional to watch them speaking with their loved ones and this I think is the longest part of the film, but I would not suggest in anyway that it is dragged out or too long.
The ending of the film is quick, not very detailed like a documentary should be, although the ‘facts’ we are told dictate that each passengers body was found and identified, the film ends with the plane and bodies missing and this is where the documentary fails to inform and the film fails to impress.
Leaving many questions unanswered, and plenty of reasons to search the internet for the answers.
Cast
The cast in the film are listed below, you will see that they are not big names, the production was successful and budgeted on story and not on the people featured in it, I also think it would have been totally inappropriate to make a film about such emotional events and spend its proceeds on paying the wages of over rated actors however I thought that for the benefit of readers is was harmless to name a few actors -
Jeffrey Nording - Tom Burnett
Brennan Elliot - Todd Beamer
Kendall Cross - Deena Burnett
Ty Olson - Mark Bingham
Marilyn Norry - Mark Binghams Mother
Kirsten Williamson - Melodie Homer
Biski Gugushe - LeRoy Homer Jr
Acting
Terrorists
The hijacking of the flight was led by a man called Ziad Jarrah who was a part of the Al-Quaeda, he was apparently a well educated man from a wealthy Lebanon family background, he had studied for many different ranged degrees and was well travelled, however whilst living in Hamburg he is said to have become a devout Muslim with a radical group of followers and eventually moved to Afghanistan for a few months in which he met with Osama Bin Laden before obtaining a clean passport and visa so that he could move to Florida and take flying lessons as well as training in aspects of combat.
Jarrah is played in this film slightly differently to how I would have imagined the real man to have been. In the production it is not completely clear who the leader of the hijackers is until toward the end when he takes over the cockpit and starts to make demands to the other hijackers. The young actor who plays Jarrah plays the part as it was written perfectly, he acts as a semi assertive yet scared man who does not seem to recognise the seriousness of the actions that he is undertaking.
Although the actor plays the part well, I do not think the part was written well. The actor does not in anyway show the intelligent or radical man that Jarrah is said to have been. He looks more naive and scared than I would have expected, the director has made him seem to be a young stupid man who is unaware off his actions, when I think in realty this well travelled and clever man was fully aware of the task he was proceeding with.
Along with Jarrah there were three other hijackers which were with him to scare the crew and passengers and to override the cockpit, these actors were also young and played their written parts well, however I cannot escape the feeling that the hijackers were portrayed as very limp and weak when in fact they were intelligent and manically religious nuts who managed to scare 40 passengers and take control of a Boeing 757 aircraft.
The limp characters created by the director were probably written this way to take the focus off of them and onto the scared passengers who were the victims and sorrow of this dreadful day, and I have to admit that although the hijackers were portrayed as young, naïve and scared, I did not feel any empathy for them throughout the whole of the film. And rightly so.
Passengers
There were only 37 passengers on board the plane, which was an unusual 20% of the planes load capacity, the 30 - 40 actors playing the parts of the passengers played their parts effectively considering it is almost impossible to consider the real ordeal that the people that day were experiencing.
The best part of the acting was the telephone conversations, the passengers were lost for words in most of them which I think was most likely how the real passengers felt, the emotions from the actors was realistic probably because the subject is very realistic and for Americans especially the subject of 9/11 and flight 93 is very upsetting and therefore many of the emotions on the film set were probably real.
I thought it was excellent the way that we were able to see around four or five passengers more closely, the film obviously could not follow each individual story so it focuses on around four or five so that the audience can relate to each one more closely.
As I have already stated, the film is more of a documentary, however instead of having a voice over to dictate the events, the stories and the ‘facts,’ the actors are given the task of telling the story and they tell it with their words, their emotions and their interactions. The story is told how it was intended and for this I credit the fantastic acting.
Families
Although it hard to imagine how scared a person would be on a hijacked plane, for me it is even harder to imagine a wife on the ground speaking to her husband, who is on a hijacked plane. Or a mother, talking to her daughter for the last time. The powerless feeling that these families must have had is unimaginable and the actors playing this hard part do it as well as they could’ve, and although these families will never have the justice they deserve the acting goes as far as to tell their soul destroying and frustrating stories.
My favourite acting from the families is from one of the wives who is speaking with her husband, she keeps walking round in circles, then she walks outside, then she sits on the floor, these are all the actions of someone who just does not know what to do and is entirely powerless to do anything anyway.
Most of the telephone calls were based on the real life calls made at the time and some of the answer phone messages can still be listened to online, however this is not something I have ever wanted to listen to.
Why DVD?
Although the events depicted are a part of our history now, the realism in the film is very morbid and not something which many would agree suitable to create and then sell as a DVD, however in 2006 the DVD was released and a significant amount of the proceeds was donated to the Flight 93 memorial fund. This was the reason that a few years ago I purchased the film, it was priced at something low like £4 when bought with a newspaper coupon, this was probably a good way to advertise the film and also advertise that proceeds are for a good cause.
I think that another reason for creating a film and DVD on the events was that even though the events will be remembered, the film is not just a tribute but also a document of as much information that I believe we will ever be allowed.
Around September 11th the media was riot with the events, but the main tragedies covered was that of the twin towers and the details of Flight 93 were not as publicised as the rest. The film was created to remind everyone of another important plane that day and I think that this was a nice way to remember the passengers who according to the film are absolute heroes and to show their families their heroic actions.
As well as being on DVD the production is also shown on TV every few months, and for some reason even though I have the DVD I always watch it, or some of it when it is on TV, I don’t think I have ever even watched it on my DVD.
Special effects, Soundtrack and Extras
The production although really a documentary is not low budget, the filming is pretty flawless and the scenes are captured correctly ensuring that all of the right information gets across to the viewers. The film does not contain many special effects, apart from the odd scene of the plane in the air from the outside and even the crash scene is brief and low on detail.
The film is not jazzed up with amazing effects or a thrilling sound track and famous actors plastered with foundation, this is not an action film this is a real life drama and a real life tragedy which the director leaves as raw as possible so that the limelight is not taken away from the real victims, the passengers who died and the families who suffered the loss.
The extras on the DVD are the only thing that I have watched on the disc, there are not many features on the DVD but there are a few bits on the making of the film/documentary which I think are definitely worth a watch. I really like that the DVD is not plastered with extras the simplicity is another mark of respect to the victims and their families.
Controversy
The subject of 9/11 is controversial all over the world, the director of this film steers clear of most of the controversy and conspiracy theories to make Flight 93 a respectable film, he keeps as close to the facts as possible (the facts as we know them) and they also released the film five years after the events. All of this made the film less shocking when it came out and did not upset a great deal of people or spark any more controversy.
Even though the dust will never settle for the families involved, the five year gap was left as a mark of respect for the families and I think that the film is portrayed in the most gentle way possible for such a shocking story
One theory
One of the main and most controversial theories regarding Flight 93 was that the plane was shot down, this theory does not change the fact that the passengers did revolt against the hijackers and that they also did call their families, however the theory suggests that the reason for the crash in Pennsylvania was due to the aeroplane being hit by a missile, this has been backed up by the fact that the debris of the plane was apparently scattered over a huge area covering about 6 miles and also the eyewitness accounts of a collection of people who saw and heard things at the time of the plane hitting the ground.
This theory is of course very different to the ending of the film and after seeing the film it is hard to understand this difference in events, however facts dictate that the debris could not have been blown as far as they were by the wind and there was eyewitnesses who say that the plane came down at a vertical angle and that the sound of an explosion was heard before the plane contacted the ground, suggesting it had been hit.
The effects of the film on the theories
There are obviously many theories regarding the crash of Flight 93, I have only outlined one of them, however, although the film was intended to be a respectable mark of the events, and was made to follow ‘facts’ the film raises so much curiosity that I believe even further theories have come from it.
In my own opinion I think that this was the directors expected responses to his film, in order to make his film successful all he had to do was keep to the ‘facts’ and make his film not seem controversial, just by doing this he would get the attention of all of the conspiracy theory seekers and people would be able to make their own minds up about the events regarding Flight 93 and 9/11.
What do I think?
My ideas change every time I watch this film, I do believe that the passengers attempted to take control of the plane in a heroic attempt to stop the plane from hitting another target and also to try and save their own lives. However, the film shows that the government were aware of what was going on in the plane whilst it was up in the air, I did at one point think that the government and people in charge of the planes following Flight 93 may not have trusted the passengers to gain control, and may have used the opportunity of the flight being above a quiet location to stop the plane in its tracks, killing the passengers but also saving the lives of many people at the target.
This idea was put to me by a friend, and I did give it some serious consideration, however I am fully aware that we will never be informed of the full details and therefore I am also aware that anything could have happened. Making me unsure on what I believe now.
If you get time (lots of it) I really recommend that you Google ‘Flight 93 conspiracy theories’ even if you are not a believer there is such a document of information that it really moves your mind and will give you hours of different and scary thoughts about what sort of world we really live in.
Ratings
The film is really suitable for all audiences, apart from young children. The film, although made with a violent and adult storyline, does not contain a lot of violence and does not have any swearing in it. However, the film is very emotional and therefore even though it is not rated an over 15, I am going to give it 15 as my personal rating. The story is easy to follow, but hard to comprehend and so any audience watching it should be aware of the films content and also aware that it is not a movie, it is a documentary.
My opinion on the DVD
This documentary is once that I have watched over and over, not because it is a thrilling or enjoyable experience, but because it sparks so much interest for me, I feel like I am learning more and more every time I watch it.
However, earlier I mentioned that I do not watch this on my DVD copy and I only view it when it is on TV, this is because it is not a film that you would choose to watch, more like one that you feel you should watch. I would find it inappropriate if someone came over and said ‘can we watch Flight 93?’ the DVD is just a reminder to me of the events, and something I feel I should own.
I would recommend that you buy this, only if the copy you are buying is going to donate the proceeds to a memorial, if it is not, then watch this online, or wait for it to come onto TV, it is a recommended, but not enjoyable watch. It will also get your mind going so fast.
The film is easy to watch and can be seen over and over without it becoming boring, the director ensures that whilst educating you he is also making sure you feel the right emotions related to each part of the film, and it really is one to bring the tissues too.
The DVD isn’t expensive, so even if you’ve seen it, if the money is going somewhere helpful then buy it and just keep it.
Advantages: Patriotic, Action-Filled Disadvantages: Some see it as a Disrespect to 9/11
While many film companies have been planning to make a film based on the September 11th attacks, this film has finally released as a "glowing tribute to those moderm day heroes", as it says on the rear of the DVD case.
The film revolves around Flight93, the Boeing that plundered into a field, and missed it's target, alledgedly the White House, and the planes passengers. While, before the aircraft takes off, the film gets the viewer associated with the Pilot, Copilot, cabin crew and each passenger on the plane, it makes the viewer think about those who were involved in early September.
As the film unfolds, and the terrorists make their move, the crew and passengers come together, and attempt to think up a plan to overthrow their captors, with the help of their family, and friends, back at ground level.
As an Englishman ...
frankplummer 17.08.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Flight 93 (DVD)
Advantages: great film Disadvantages: emotionally disturbing as really happened
When hearing about this film I was told that it was about 9/11. You know, that thing about the World Trade Centre that nobody knows about ;-)
There was little else I was told, and I had seen no clips or movie trailers to show me what was happening. But the fact is was based on real events during that horrific event sparked my curiosity. I wouldn't say I m morbid, but I wanted to see, to experience the emotions that took place that day. And so it began....
THE COVER:
We shall start with the DVD cover. It shows a plane flying in the sky. First impressions may let you think this was planes flying in formation. But having seen the film you can understand that this is the plane used for Flight93, and the two military craft scrambled to try and find it when it deviated from course. The back offers us a brief run down, but ...
daddyof3 28.06.2006 (03.11.2006)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Flight 93 (DVD)
Advantages: An even handed take on an extremely sensitive subject Disadvantages: stark and disturbing by the end
Directed and written by Paul Greengrass
Run time 111 minutes
Let's face it, there won't be any spoilers in this review, we all know what happened on September 11th 2001. The director here tries to personalise the events of United flight93: the 757 laden with 33 passengers and crew which crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania en route to a slightly more high profile destination. 9/11 has rightfully become such a major, profound event in peoples' minds' throughout the world and real objectivity has become very difficult. Greengrass has neatly sidestepped all the questions which such a significant event raises in a way Oliver Stone's JFK ploughs straight through.
Essentially therefore, Flight93 plays as a straight drama: something more familiar to watchers of The Hallmark Channel as opposed to anything grander ...
On September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93 bound for San Francisco, was one of four planes hijacked by terrorists. This is the harrowing true story of the passengers who fought back.
Based on the now-notorious events of September 11, 2001, FLIGHT 93 tells the harrowing true story of United Airlines Flight 93 and the moments leading up to its crash. Shot in real time, the film shows how terrorists managed to commandeer the cockpit with the intention of turning a routine flight into a suicide mission. As the petrified passengers plan to fight back, the US military scrambles into action in a frantic bid to save the plane from the inevitable. On the surface, there isn’t a great deal to distinguish this film from Paul Greengrass' UNITED 93, which deals with the same subject matter. Both films make for uneasy viewing for obvious reasons, but the low-budget FLIGHT 93 is gripping in its own right.
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