I'm curious how you devined that from the film. All we have to go on are cockpit voice recorders. I think Greengrass was smart in making it a united effort. Specifically, no one person "took control". Each person portrayed had their own strengts. Burnett kept cool and was collected, etc. I think it was appropriate also to portray that not all of us can assume such courage under a circumstance like this. I would guess roughly 20 people on that flight made an attempt to enter the cockpit. That's just smart storytelling. Could you be sure you could make such a stand? I myself do not know for sure.
I agree, it was nicely done.
The terrorists probably directed the plane to the ground to kill everybody, they just crazy, it's not like fighting with other country over something.
I asked my girlfriend after the movie what will she do in the situation like this, she said "I would cut somebodies throat with my teeth" - I think I would do the same, never surrender!
It's just the spirit of FREE MEN.
The actor who played him was portrayed taking the lead, and the transcipt (I think)bears that out. I think a second look at the movie will convince you. But of course he did not act alone. As often in such cases. there are several who join in and form a team. But there are other example of leadershiop coming to the fore. the FAA leader; the general. He respects the process and then when it breaks down, he acts in accordance with his own lights. Just think: one man, not the president of the United States, decides to ground all the planes in the United States and such is the degree of professionalism that it is accomplished in a few hours. I am sure that AlQaida never dreamed that this was possible.