United 93: The Movie

I went to see United 93 last night. My husband was gracious enough to offer to stay home and babysit. So, since I knew I had free (and competent) babysitting, plus the knowlegde that a portion of the proceeds from this weekend's box-office profits will be donated to the United 93 memorial fund, I went to the movie theater by myself for the first time in my life to watch a very serious movie.

Let me preface this by saying that I have also seen the A&E channel movie on the same subject, entitled Flight 93. Both are worth your time. I also want to let you know that this post may be a bit of a spoiler, although I really don't feel too bad, since we all know the end of the story, so to speak. But as fair warning, if you don't want any details, don't read any further. (I will try to keep it to a minimum, though.)

The theater was half-full at best (at the 7:05 pm showing). I think I was a little disappointed. I was hoping to have to fight for a seat because I think we all need to see the movie. We need to be reminded who the enemy is, who the heroes are and why we must fight and win this war on terror. We must remember...we cannot afford to forget.

The movie portrayed events that occured both in the air, on United flight 93, and on the ground, in various air traffic control centers and military command air traffic centers. At least half of the movie focused on the pandemonium in the air traffic control centers. The producers did a good job of showing the confusion, disbelief and then chaos that occurred in the air on Sept. 11th. I was struck by how quickly the events happened that day and how the very timing of the attacks helped lead to such widespread confusion, panic and fear. I remember those feelings myself.

The other half of the movie portrays the passengers, flight crew and terrorist hijackers, from the time they board the flight 93 until it crashes. The passengers are never really identified (at least by full name), so it takes a little while to figure out who is who and in some cases, you never know.

The movie demonstrates how crucial the timing of flight 93 was in relationship to the other flights that had been hijacked. I had never really considered how a routine traffic delay on the runway might have completely changed the events of that day. Had the plane been held up for even 30 more minutes (the movie does show a delay on the runway) the air traffic controllers might never have allowed the plane to take off. The passengers might have learned of the terror attacks sooner, so many different scenarios might have occurred, all probably better than what did happen. Instead, the movie highlights what must have been extremely meticulous planning on the part of the hijackers, at least with regard to the scheduling of the planned targeted flights and the timing of the planes' hijacking.

I was also struck by the portrayal of the terrorists. The movie follows the 4 terrorists aboard the plane, from their preparations in the hotel room, to their ultimate death in the plane crash. The terrorists' portrayal was not sympathetic, which I greatly appreciated. I don't personally care how traumatic it was for the terrorists. They knew what they were getting into, how their lives would end and how destructive their actions were going to be to countless others. I have no sympathy for them, and I'm glad the producers of this movie didn't either. The movies shows them praying. A lot. To Allah. In fact, much of what the terrorists say is in Arabic and is usually not translated. It is clear however, that they are praying. We know they recited some prayers because the official flight data recorder transcript documents it.

Contrast this with the portrayal of the passengers who are seen and heard reciting The Lord's Prayer (another documented fact, from a 911 call, I believe) and the differences between the terrorists and passengers is striking. The muslim terrorists (our enemies) use their god and religion to injure, kill, torture, terrorize and reign death and destruction on their sworn enemies, (the U.S and other Christian nations). The passengers (who represent the U.S. and a Christian nation) pray for guidance and strength and forgiveness. No matter how politically incorrect this statement may be, we are in a war with the muslim religion. This is a religious war. The other side is fighting for its god and if we want to maintain our freedom to worship our God, then we have to be willing to fight just as hard.

As I watched the passengers get themselves together and strike back against the terrorists, I wanted to stand up and cheer. I knew the final outcome, but I wanted them to win. I wanted them to save the plane and themselves. I wanted the hijackers captured and put on trial and sentenced for their crimes. I wanted to see the courage of those passengers rewarded.

It was, though not in the way I would have liked. Because those men and women stood and fought against evil and terror, countless other lives were saved. They were heroes, the movie portrays them as such and they died, defending themselves and our country. Their families are, and should be, proud.

I did not cry at this movie, though there were plenty who did. It is disturbing, but in my opinion, not as emotional as the A&E movie. The A&E movie delved more into the passengers' lives and their last moments with their families, which to me was a far more emotional experience. Still, United 93 needs to be seen. We need to honor the brave men and women who fought back that horrific day. We need to remember how we were all attacked and be reminded who the true enemies and heroes are. Go see the movie and remember.