An unbelievably brilliant piece of film-making.

Rating: 10/10 (20 October 2006)

By the time I actually saw "United 93", I had read quite a few reviews of the film, almost all very positive. And of course, I knew the details of the real life event. But none of these prepared me for the raw intensity and power of Greengrass' script and direction. By choosing to make it in the semi-documentary style using unknown actors, he took a big risk but the end product is beyond reproach. I sat clutching a cushion throughout the film, palms sweating and heart pounding. The carefully edited depiction of the reactions both in the air and on the ground as the tragedy unfolds is a masterpiece of film-making. The last 10 minutes are positively gut-wrenching and are going to remain with me for the rest of my days. I am sure that only minimal artistic licence had to used in guessing the events on board the plane and even that must be very close to actually what happened. If this film does not win Oscars for Best Picture, Direction & Screenplay & Editing, the awards will cease to have any meaning for me.