A sad and hard-to-watch film about 9/11

Rating: 7/10 (24 December 2006)

United 93 is a disturbing and hard to watch film about the attacks in America on September 11, 2001. Everyone knows what happened on that fateful day, but this film brings it to life remarkably.
As I'm sure you know, four planes were hijacked on September 11 2001 and three of them reached their targets. However, this film is about the fourth plane; United Airlines 93. That plane never made its target because of the strong will of the innocent passengers on board who caused the plane to crash in a field near Pennsylvania instead of its intended target, the White House.
I believe everyone should see this film. It is a strong account of 9/11 and deserves a lot of credit.
You might find this film very hard to watch, especially if you have some kind of connection to the people who lost their lives on 9/11.
I came out of this film feeling very sad. I didn't say much. I was thinking about these poor innocent people. The saddest thing about this film is that it is all true. At least most of it is. Director Paul Greengrass based this film upon the last recordings from the cockpit cabin and the telephone calls made by the passengers to their loved ones.
The cast of mainly unknown actors was each given studies of the people on Flight 93 that they were playing. Families of the passengers and crew members killed on United Flight 93 cooperated in the production of the film.
They offered Greengrass detailed background information about their loved ones. They even told them what clothes they wore and what they read, listened to, or even might have eaten on the plane.
The film is not only about what happens aboard the plane. It also shows what happened in the air traffic control rooms and the reactions by people who witnessed the attacks on the World Trade Centre.
I liked the acting by the unknown ensemble cast. I think it was better to not cast known actors in this film.