An imaginative portrayal of a terrifying ordeal

Rating: 8/10 (14 October 2006)

Four planes taken over by terrorists on that fateful day we call 9/11 struck terror in the hearts of the Amercan people. This film is an attempt to portray what happened on Flight 93. This was the fourth plane which happened to miss its target and made heroes of its passengers.
I thought the casting was good. I didn't know any of the actors. They seemed like ordinary people caught up in a terrifying experience. What took place on that flight we will never know in absolute detail. We do know however that mobile phones were used by passengers to say a last farewell to wives and loved ones before the imminent crash landing.
I found those final conversations very moving. What do you say when you know that death seems inevitable? That maybe you only have a few minutes left? The scripting of those conversations were probably the most accurate part of the story because families will never forget those final farewells.
I think the scriptwriters did an excellent job in researching the events and portraying what they believed was the manner in which the drama unfolded. It seems entirely acceptable to me. Indeed as I watched the action I felt I was watching an actual record of the real event. When the terrorists lacking in experience took over the control of the aircraft the plane plunged and rolled tossing the occupants out of their seats. These scenes were well done. Considering that most of the camera work was carried out in the one set (the plane) there was never a moment of boredom. The suspense was hardly bearable.
I liked too the subdued musical sound effects, the percussion instruments giving the impression of impending danger. This really did heighten the drama.
Overall a very good production, one I will remember for a very long time