On September 11, 2001, an unfathomable and devastating tragedy struck the United States when al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners, two of which crashed into the World Trade Center and the third struck the Pentagon. The fourth plane crashed in rural Pennsylvania after the crew and passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 revolted and prevented the aircraft from hitting its intended target, which was likely the Capitol Building. 2,977 people were killed on that dark and harrowing day in American history, completely changing the spirit and soul of the country as the whole world went into mourning.
In 2006, Hollywood decided to honor the heroic men and women who both risked and gave their lives on 9/11, with Paul Greengrass’ United 93 and Oliver Stone’s World Trade Center debuting in theaters and rendering audiences speechless with their poignant and moving dramatizations. Each film captures the harrowing events of that heartbreaking day, and both pay tribute to the victims and those forever affected by the horrific attack. Let’s revisit what both films are about and how each picture was received by moviegoers to honor those lost on 9/11.
United 93 Honors the Flight’s Courageous Passengers & Crew
The harrowing efforts of the courageous passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 are chronicled in Paul Greengrass’ heartrending docudrama thriller United 93, which provides a powerful look at the events of September 11, 2001, and how the passengers revolted against the terrorists that seized the plane and fought back to prevent an even bigger tragedy from unfolding. The moving and deeply affecting film sets out to recount the hijacking of the flight and depicts what happened in the air and on the ground below after three other flights were hijacked during the 9/11 attacks; Flight 93 was the only plane that failed to hit its intended target.
United 93 was the first Hollywood production to draw its narrative directly from the actual events of 9/11, and Greengrass had several participants from the actual tragedy play themselves in the film, including television journalist Thomas Roberts and FAA operations manager Ben Sliney. The director also had the actors portraying the passengers and crew members put in a separate hotel from those appearing as the hijackers in an effort to create tension and antagonism between the opposing groups.
Production of the film was somber and intense, as the set was built to replicate the way the actual flight moved, and some of the actors even hurt themselves during the revolt scene, with the blood shown on their faces being real and authentic. United 93 was made with the collaboration of many (though not all) of the passengers’ families, and 10% of the movie’s gross income from its first three days of release was promised to go towards a memorial honoring the flight’s victims. United 93 was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $76 million and being hailed as one of the finest releases of the year and a touching tribute to the memory of the passengers.
World Trade Center Pays Tribute to New York’s Finest
Another gripping and deeply compelling picture that was also released in 2006 was Oliver Stone’s docudrama disaster film World Trade Center, which features the talents of Nicolas Cage, Michael Peña, Michael Shannon, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, and shines a light on the brave and noble actions of a team of New York City police officers who become trapped inside the rubble of the World Trade Center on September 11 following the terrorist attacks. Sgt. John McLoughlin (Cage) and Officer Will Jimeno (Peña) must fight to stay alive after being stuck in the wreckage after helping people escape, and they must agonizingly wait for their rescue team to locate them.
Both the real McLoughlin and Jimeno, along with their wives, were involved in the writing and production of the film, wanting to honor and pay tribute to their fallen comrades and rescuers who gave their lives on 9/11. The two heroic men even make a brief cameo at the end of the docudrama as the survivors attend a celebratory barbeque. When asked why they felt the need to participate in World Trade Center, McLoughlin’s wife Donna said, “We got involved because we felt it needed to be done accurately. We wanted to do the right thing and I think the filmmakers wanted to do the right thing too.”
Though some events were fictionalized and criticized, such as the motives and depictions of paramedic Chuck Sereika and rescuer Dave Karnes (and their lack of screen time), producers of World Trade Center met with the victim groups of September 11 to discuss their intentions and mission, and upon its release, both the FDNY and NYPD were satisfied and touched by the finished product. World Trade Center grossed $163 million and received an A- CinemaScore from audiences, garnering appreciation for its recognition of the brave heroes who risked their lives on that devastating day.
Two Poignant & Powerful Pictures About the 9/11 Tragedy
Both United 93 and World Trade Center serve as touching tributes to the brave men and women who gave their lives and fought to keep their country and fellow Americans safe. Each film provides a harrowing reenactment of the dark and tragic day that forever changed the United States. However, the profound agony and despair that hits audiences and squeezes their chests in United 93 is palpable, as moviegoers know exactly how the chilling drama will unfold despite the passengers’ fearless efforts to prevent a catastrophe.
Seeing them courageously take a stand against the hijackers with no regard for their own safety and despite them likely feeling an unfathomable amount of fear and terror truly packed an emotional punch, with Roger Ebert calling United 93 “masterful and heartbreaking” and declaring that it “does honor to the memory of the victims.” The poignant movie has also landed on The A.V. Club‘s list of “Great Films Too Painful to Watch Twice” and garnered numerous accolades, like two Academy Award nominations, including Best Director for Paul Greengrass. United 93 treated the heavy and difficult subject matter with respect and sensitivity, and it provides a powerful and deeply meaningful depiction of the true everyday heroes who risked everything for their country. Stream United 93 on Peacock. Stream World Trade Center on Paramount+.
