Flight 93: The Movie

This is by far the best film on the foiled attempt to fly United Flight 93 into the Capitol or the White House on 9/11. In my opinion it is much better than the later Hollywood version entitled "United 93." Made for TV earlier this year, "Flight 93" was a powerful, gripping movie that fully engaged the viewers emotions. By focusing on the individual passangers and heroes of Flight 93 it made the viewer empathize with the actual people who acted with such courage and died in the attempt to foil the highjackers. The calls from the plane to loved ones on the ground were heart wrenching. I don't usually cry at movies, but I did while watching this one.By contrast "United 93" -- while an exciting, hold onto your seat reenactment of the event -- was, for the most part, a typical Hollywood chase movie. All of the people, so effectively portrayed in "Flight 93," were anonymous in this version. The viewer learned nothing about them -- not even there names. (It seems to me that an anonymous hero is a contrdiction in terms.) Consequently the movie failed to engage one's emotions, except for a feeling of horror at the enormity of the terrorist's deeds. One felt little empathy for the actual real lfe passangers of Flight 93, because we did not get to know them as individuals.Instead the movie focused on the chaos of the situation both on the plane and on the ground, and on the chaotic attempts to get control of the situation by the air traffic controllers and, to a lesser extent, by the military. From time to time one got the sense that, in the usual Hollywood fashion, the film makers saw these people, caught up in a truly impossible situation, as, in some undefined way, incompetent.In the end Hollywood drew on its usual resources and made another airplane highjacking/pursuit movie. A good one, but not a great one. Hollywood's problem is that it is so rarely able to transcend itself. It did not do so here.

This fine A&E reenactment of one slice of the confusing events of September 11, 2001 succeeds in showing the combination of ad hoc citizen response and highly professional management that greeted the high-speed unfolding of those incomprehensible events.The grippingly eerie music of the soundtrack frames the portraits of normalcy that open the film. Early on, we are shown the names of many of Flight 93's passengers when the camera focuses on the processing of their boarding passes by a Newark flight agent. From then on, we see them as real people who find themselves the protagonists of a seemingly unreal attack.When it becomes clear that Flight 93 is 'obviously not planning on landing', the passengers - with the encouragement or acquiescence of grieving family on the ground - do what they have to do to 'regain control of the plane'.Flight 93 suggests the possibility that orders were given - or would soon have been given - to take the flight down as it made its erratic way towards Washington. This reviewer - a frequent flyer - applauds discussion of this possibility and believes such action should be taken in the event we again find ourselves in this predicament.Flight 93 is not an easy film to watch. Yet it is salutary to do so, for a moment to imagine the terror experienced by civilians caught in a war in the airspace above a peaceful land, to see that evil *and* fear coexist in the eyes of the people who do such things, and to remember that sometimes the most dire of circumstances squeeze heroism to the surface of quite ordinary lives.

Although you know the ending before the movie begins, this is still a real cliffhanger and nail biter. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.The movie is excellent and extremely well-done. It is a great tribute to the men and women who died on Flight 93, and the courage and love they showed in the face of death. They were real martyrs! The movie was also very respectfully done, considering the sensitive nature of this event, the feelings of the families involved, and the trauma they experienced. I think it stands as a living testament for these families to be proud of.I don't think it would hurt for anyone to watch this and re-live the horrible experience that terrorism brought to our shores that day and, because of it, to recommit themselves to personal involvement in the life of our country and its government so that this may never happen again. As President Abraham Lincoln said at Gettysburg:--------------------------------------------------------------It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us--that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

I had some teary moments. Very well played out. Loved the movie. Worth the purchase

I have watched this movie on the anniversary of 9/11 ever since it was made. I usually watched it on cable television but this year I could not find it!! So, it was time to purchase my own copy. I feel an obligation to remember what happened, and this movie captures a lot of the drama, the heartbreak, the sorrow, and the courage of the passengers of Flight 93. It is well worth watching.... every year.

Trivia said there was no TSA prior to 9/11, which is true, but there were metal detectors. The key is that those agents who are scanning passengers in the movie are not TSA but 'something' Security Firm which was common prior to 9/11 and initiated after the numerous highjackings US airlines had been through prior. US airlines even had begun posting/printing out Caribbean air maps for crews due to the prevalence of highjackings to Cuba.

Fantastic movie tribute to our heroes on Flight 93 and their families. Heart-wrenching, so sad and a must watch!

Awesome movie really gives a feel for the bravery of flight 93

I've seen this a number of times before and indeed I think this movie is at least as good as the better known "United 93". I have both DVDs in another house and got this one to make up the set in one of my other homes. The DVD was well packaged and is playing very well - it's in the DVD player now.This came out as a TV movie some months before "United 93" and takes a slightly different angle, and is equally moving in the way it tells this awful tale, specially poignant for me as one of those on board was known to me.

I like true stories but I watch them with sadness that everyone died.It’s good to know the names of all the heroes

This film is based on true phone conversations and messages of the passengers knowing they were going to die - make sure you have a box of tissues handy

Film was outstanding SO sad but didnt fully understand what the end of movie actully ment .

This is an amazing story of courage. These passengers all knew they were going to die but they overcame that fear to save countless lives on the ground. Everyone of them should have been awarded the highest honour by President Barrack Obama. R.I.P