Lets face it, everyone remembers where they were when they heard the news, on Tuesday September 11th 2001 19 men took 4 planes and used them as misiles to hit some of the most significant buildings in America. First American Airlines 11 hit the north tower of the world trade centre then AA flight 175 hit the south tower and there was no doubt this was a terrorist attack, soon afterwards a 3rd plane hit the pentagon and then there was a plane crash in Shankesville Pensylvania and we would all soon learn that this was also a part of the events in New York and Virginia.
United Airlines Flight 93 was the very last plane to be hijacked on that fateful morning and perhaps that's one of the reasons that it didnt reach it's target which many think was heading toward the capitol building in Washington D.C. or the White House. Using real life footage from the CNN coverage of the attack on the WTC Director Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum) focuses on the military and air traffic operators and the 40 passengers of the plane in question. As a plane is hijacked and hijacker Mohhammed Atta accidentally hits the button to talk to the airline base rather than the passengers as he thought (note: the actual transmission of Atta is used in the film) a hijacking is suspected and as the North Tower of the Trade Centre is seen to be in flames confusion hits, when Flight 173 hits the South Tower the question goes from are we under attack? to what planes are hijacked and where are they going? Meanwhile the 4 hijackers aboard United 93 hesitate before finally taking control of the plane using knifes and a fake bomb. As the passengers start to suspect the bomb is a fake news of the hits on the World Trade and the Pentagon inspire the passengers to prevent a 4th tragedy by taking the plane back from the terrorists. This attempted insurrexion results in the plane being crashed in a field in Shankesville killing all on board but possibly saving thousands of more lives on a day where 3000 were murdered. Director Greengrass doesnt glorify the events on the plane or tries to make a bigger than life hero out of any of the passengers or even villify the terrorists more than they should be, instead he chooses to remain as factual as possible and uses the emotion to keep your attention and indeed it's the emotion that makes the film so powerful.
The film is a powerful and probably very accurate (obviously no one knows exactly how it all happened and some storytelling license is probably used but more or less we're probably looking at a very real actualisation of the events on United 93) portrayal of 40 normal people who find themselves a part of the biggest attack on American Soil and perhaps the story of United 93 is an example of, while America has it's problems like the rest of the world the country is also made up of brave people who wont stand to be terrorized. On the DVD there's a 45 minute documentary about the film-makers attempt to contact all the families of the passengers for their concent for the film and you get to hear some heartbreaking stories about families who's lives changed on 9/11. Then if you want to learn more about the passengers there are memorial pages on all of them with mini bios.
United 93 is a great example of why cinema is such a powerful, cathardic and theraputic medium that can help us tell incredible, moving, real stories and perhaps in 100 years time people will watch this film and get a glimpse at what a truly historic and emotional day September 11th 2001 really was.

We all know the terrible sights that were seen on that day, with the twin towers falling and the Pentagon in flames . As Three planes were used as flying bombs to strike terror into the west ! What is not as well documented is the story of the fourth plane that never reached it's target. I have never seen as movie that has filled me with as much anger and has moved me in equel measure as this ! It deals with United Flight 93 being hijact in mid-flight, and the passangers realising what the out come of the hijacker objectives are. Also it deals in detail, the total confusion as the FAA and the National Guard strive to get a grip on the unfolding day of sheer terror. Director Paul ( The Bourn Suprmacy and The Bourn Ultimatum ) Deals with this subject matter very even handed and never once takes sides or lets the film fall into soapy re-enactments. He just gives you the facts. The camera is used as if you are actually there, being hand held. The actors play there parts very real, and the acting is if it is real, with people getting tounge tied and stuttering, it's as if its happening and not being repeated from remembering lines. I urge you to buy this movie , not just for a reminder of what happend on 9/11, but as a reminder of human courage. This movie is a timeless shocking classic !

This film is based on the true hearings and sightings that others have came across. People in flight centers, the passesnges family and friends, people in their houses and even people on the street have all put their own personal stories of what they heard and saw that tragic day, and this is how they came up with the pecing of this film.

This is a very good film, and its also very emotional. There have been alot of films made about 9/11 and this must be in the top 2. It must have took alot of courage to stand up to those terrorists whilst the plane is rocking side to side in the air and nose diving so rappidly to then come shooting back up again. But if you like films like this then i would strongly recomend this film to you

The film's storyline IS based on a true crash, yet the events depicted during the 106 minutes here are mainly assumed and not proven. This just shows a view on how it may have happened, told to a backdrop with 9/11 taking place disastrously. I did not enjoy the method in which the circumstances and situations were assumed as fact instead of theory.

I reviewed the 3rd Bourne film that Greengrass also directed and was worried about watching this one due to his tendency to use headache inducing camera shaking filming techniques.

I am glad I finally watched this movie. Filmed in documentary style, I found it very moving and realistic. I was gripped from beginning to end.

The subject matter was dealt with superbly. I would challenge ayone not to be emotionally moved by this one. It is not a film to enjoy it is just a film you need to watch.

This film is amazing, deffinatly one to keep you on the edge of your seat.
I would recomend this to a friend by all means!!
buy it!

this film is made in real time as events happen a outstanding movie a must buy

This film has been brilliantly made. It shows a realistic account of what happened on that flight on September 11 2001.

The acting is terrific, and the quality of the drama is definetely 5 stars.

This film is a very moving and powerful reinactment, it tells the story of what happened on the 4th hijacked plane which didn't reach its target on september 11th, 2001, due to the passengers rising up to fight the terrorists. It is very powerful film and the acting is brilliant, there is not much that can really be said about this film, you would have to watch it to experiance its full force, how the passengers fight back with such desperation is heart wrenching, and i would recommend this film to everyone

This for me was more in the control centres and government authorities, but it did not neglet the storyline of the events unfolding of that day or the people lost. Tribute was definately paid to the loss of the lives on United Flight 93. The other events of that day came into it but it never made it as though it was about any crashes or affects. Just reminded me how sickening it was to watch on that pretty normal September day. Nice to wake up to a warm sunny early autumn day feeling positve and getting on with your life only for this to be thrust upon you carrying out your daily and neccessary working life, WHY!

When I watch and remember these people, all of them caught up in that day, it is harder to put yourself in their position as it is so far away, I think at this time then of our own losses in London although on a smaller scale, 7/7. I can never forget the newsreel of that day, as no doubt all americans will never lose the images of this sad day.

Definately worth a watch, we must do them the honour of learning the facts despite failing to understand why it happened to them.