Barnes & Noble

The still-painful emotions lingering in the wake of 9/11 may have accounted for the less-than-stellar theatrical box office of United 93, but this taut and compelling drama is to be commended for its entirely non-exploitative depiction of horrific events. Written and directed by Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy), it derives impact from its documentary-like treatment and a strong cast of fresh-faced actors. United 93 is almost an hour old before it zooms into high gear with the slaying of the pilots by al Qaeda hijackers and the passengers’ sudden realization that the commandeered plane is being taken on a suicide mission. At that point, passengers Thomas Burnett (Christian Clemenson) and Todd Beamer (David Alan Basche) begin plotting to wrest back control of the aircraft. Greengrass cuts back and forth between Flight 93, air controllers stunned by the morning’s attacks, and military commanders anguished over their inability to resolve the situation without additional loss of innocent life. United 93, doesn’t dwell on the eventual downing of the plane in a Pennsylvania field, or the international aftermath of the attacks. Its focus remains the moving and inspiring story of average Americans, caught in a totally unpredictable situation, rising to the occasion and acting heroically. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Bloody Sunday director Paul Greengrass marks the five-year anniversary on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States with this speculative meditation on the events that took place onboard the fourth hijacked plane, and the actions of the passengers who gave their lives to ensure the safety of others. Told in real time and acted out by a cast of unknowns who were provided with detailed studies of their real-life counterparts, United 93 attempts to reconstruct the airborne tragedy from the view of the ground and flight controllers, the passengers, and their nervous families awaiting word on the fate of their loved ones. As the terrified travelers and crew gradually become aware of the historical events taking place on the ground so far beneath them, the 90 minutes in which a random collection of strangers realized their fate and came together to confront an unthinkable threat are re-created. Jason Buchanan

Product Details

• UPC: 025192037696
• Source: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
• Time: 1:51:00

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• United 93/Twin Towers