Posted on 04/27/2006 6:44:38 AM PDT by chris_in_nj
Fellow FReepers,
As the son of Joe Driscoll, passenger on Flight 93, I was invited to opening of the Tribeca Film Festival to view United 93.
Unless you are 110% sure you can't take watching this movie - you have got to see this film. Universal Studios and Paul Greengrass absolutely nailed it.
Even though the ending is no surprise this movie is gripping and powerful. There is no political statement - and by no means is this a politically correct tribute. It is rough, true and stark.
Almost no one in the film is mentioned by name and nor are there any A-list stars, just average Americans...it truly represents "THE 40" that come together as one to say "we will not let this happen".
The military air space commanders, air traffic controllers, etc...many of whom played themselves in the film add a tremendous amount of reality. It was absolutely fascinating to see the inner workings of those command centers on that day. And to try and figure out which handful of planes, out of 4,200 in the sky at the time, were hijacked...you will walk away with a whole new appreciation for the monumental task that these men and women had on the ground to control the skies.
And for the monumental task that THE 40 had in the plane - it was superb. The cinematography and score was magnificent.
The film left me emotionally exhausted. At times I wanted to cheer my father and his fellow passengers on and at the end it I sat in stunned silence. The chaotic and noisy climax comes to an abrupt end and you are left sitting in a silent and dark theater. At that time there were family members all around me who simply lost it - with cries and tears piercing the dark room as the credits began to roll across a black screen.
Beaming with pride but wrought with heartache I walked out of the theater with my brother onto the streets of Manhattan, trying seemingly in vain to digest what I just witnessed. It was a fruitless effort as I think it will simply take time, a long time.
This film is not here "too soon", that is a ridiculous notion. Now, I totally respect an individual not wanting to see this film - that is understandable. But many in this country are ready. We need to be ready. We need a fresh reminder of that day as it is painfully obvious that many - even here in NYC - have lost their raw emotion and anger from that day....and that is a tragedy in itself.
I hope you all try and see this movie. The good folks here at this site understand the nature and insatiable evil of our enemy. This film captures that in no uncertain terms.
Again, kudos to Paul Greengrass and Universal Studios.
Chris
Welllllllllllllll. I'll thank God for any clarity. If it was up to me, it would all be tied in a knot : )
EXACTLY!!! I saw it yesterday afternoon. I got INTENSE shivers at points and of course had many tears. I came out of the theatre in tears.
It is a MUST SEE for ALL AMERICANS!
That means President Bush as well!
I just got back from seeing it, this was an excellent and moving movie. I saw it with my nephew, who was in the Iraq war. This wasn't just about tears, me and my nephew were saying "yeah!" when Beamer started wailing on those terrorist scum.
Another memorable part in the movie was when the American passengers were saying the Lord's prayer moments before they fought back and at the same time the terrorists were praying to Allah. What a great way to contrast the two.
God bless your father and his memory.
.
Doesn't the Bible talk about the role 'Connectors' play in GOD's Plan for more LOVE on Earth...
...and afterwards..?
.
Chris,
Thank you so much for your heartfelt post. I wanted to see the movie this weekend, but did not want to go by myself, so I'm going to see it sometime this week with my daughter and son in law.
My prayers are with you, and I'm so very proud of your dad, and the others who showed such incredible courage that day.
You're referring to the blond man who wanted to placate the hijackers?
My impression was that that actor was portraying a German, not a Scandinavian. That was my take on his accent.
Btw, according to this critical article on 'United 93,' there's no evidence that any passenger on United 93 behaved that way. That bit of storyline was apparently invented.
That was one of the only things that troubled me about the making of the movie. (Wonder what the Germans will think about that -- making the only rat on the plane a German? That's not going to help Angela Merkl.)
I was also disappointed that Todd Beamer's role (and his reciting the Lord's Prayer with telephone operator, Lisa Jefferson, just before he famously called out, "Let's roll!"), was minimized almost to the point of nonexistence.
One more cavil: I thought more of the Arabic dialogue should've been translated and put into subtitles. And I question the translation of Allah as 'God.'
But those are minor quibbles. 'United 93' was great. It should be required viewing for everyone over the age of 15 in America AND Europe.
For some reason...your link doesn't work ; )
I actually thought the Scandanavian had a French accent, and really, should have better described him as a European.
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