DVD Review: United 93 (2-Disc Limited Edition)

“I think it’s too easy for people to forget. And it’s not too soon. And I… It’s disturbing to me when I hear our fellow countrymen say, “How dare you? It’s too soon.” Well, you know what? It’s never going to be soon enough. And we have an obligation to continue to pass this on for generations to come.” Lisa – Richard Guadagno’s cousin

United 93 is a masterful film by Paul Greengrass about the harrowing events on the doomed airliner and the brave souls that fought back in the face of adversity. Everyone should see this film to be reminded of the events of 9/11, but should also be prepared for the torrent of emotions that is unleashed with this film. Before beginning the film’s plot description, I only think it proper to list the names of the fallen of United 93 and the actors who portray them:Crew:
Captain Jason Dahl (J. J. Johnson)
First Officer LeRoy Homer (Gary Commock)
Flight Attendant Wanda Anita Green (Starla Benford)
Flight Attendant Lorraine G. Bay (Nancy McDoniel)
Flight Attendant CeeCee Lyles (Opal Alladin)
Flight Attendant Sandra Bradshaw (Trish Gates)
Flight Attendant Deborah Welsh (Polly Adams)
Passengers:
Christian Adams (Erich Redman)
Todd Beamer (David Allen Basche)
Alan Beaven (Simon Poland)
Mark Bingham (Cheyenne Jackson)
Deora Frances Bodley (Triest Dunn)
Marion R. Britton (Jodie Lynne McClintock)
Thomas E. Burnett, Jr. (Christian Clemenson)
William Joseph Cashman (Richard Bekins)
Georgine Rose Corrigan (Marceline Hugot)
Patricia Cushing (Rebecca Schull)
Joseph DeLuca (Ray Charleson)
Patrick Joseph Driscoll (Michael J. Reynolds)
Edward P. Felt (John Rothman)
Jane Folger (Susan Blommaert)
Colleen Fraser (Denny Dillon)
Andrew Garcia (Peter Marinker)
Jeremy Glick (Peter Hermann)
Kristin White Gould (Tara Hugo)
Lauren Caluzzi Grandcolas (Kate Jennings Grant)
Donald Freeman Greene (David Rasche)
Linda Gronlund (Lorna Dallas)
Richard Guadagno (Daniel Sauli)
Toshiya Kuge (Masato Kamo)
Hilda Marcin (Libby Morris)
Waleska Martinez (Liza Colon-Zayas)
Nicole Carol Miller (Olivia Thirlby)
Louis J. Nacke II (Corey Johnson)
Donald Peterson (Tom O’Rourke)
Jean Peterson (Becky London)
Mark Rothenberg (Chip Zien)
Christine Snyder (Leigh Zimmerman)
John Talignani (Joe Jamrog)
Honor Elizabeth Wainio (Chloe Sirene)

Flight 93 takes off

On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77, and United Airlines Flight 93 were hijacked by Muslim extremist terrorists. The plan was to fly two planes into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and the last into the White House or United States Capitol.

United 93 was 40 minutes late in taking off and because of this the passengers were made aware of the destruction of the other two targets of the terrorist plot. They decide to storm the cockpit and attempt to retake the plane. They were unsuccessful in their attempt and the speculation is that the terrorist pilot crashed the plane directly into the ground (outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania).

United 93 is a film of immense power and do not expect to walk away from it without being emotionally affected. Director Paul Greengrass chooses to shoot the film in a documentary style and the results are harrowing, will leave a lump in your throat, or move you to tears. He also earns other points for authenticity by involving the relatives of the fallen of Flight 93 and promises to make sure that the film shows the proper respect to their murdered loved ones.

He also avoids casting familiar Hollywood actors in the roles and instead relies on unknowns, character actors, or actors from the small screen (television). He also has several individuals involved with the events of 9/11 to play themselves (Benedict Sliney of the National Air Traffic Command Center is the one with the most screen time). Greengrass has succeeded in his goal and crafted an excellent film, but also one that leave the viewer recalling the emotions they felt on that fateful day.

United 93 is presented in anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. A separate fullscreen release is also available. Special features include a commentary from director Paul Greengrass. The major extra is the 59 minute “United 93: The Families and the Film.” It is a moving document of the families of the fallen and their involvement with the film. It has several moments where the relatives get to meet and bond with the actors that will be playing their relations in the film. Hi Mom, its me

Hi Mom, it's me

Finally, there’s a 2 minute preview for the Academy Award winning documentary Twin Towers which is about two brothers on the scene of the World Trade Center. Universal has also issued a 2 Disc Limited edition. It has the film in widescreen, the features above, but adds a second disc.

That disc contains the 48 minute “Chasing Planes – Witnesses to 9/11.” It has interviews with Greg Callahan and Rick Tepper of Newark Tower (who play themselves in the film), Benedict Sliney of the National Air Traffic Command Center (who plays himself in the film), Major General Larry Arnold (ret.) of United States Air Force (USAF)/National Air Defense Command (NORAD), Colonel Robert Marr (ret.) USAF/Air National Guard, Lt. Colonel Kevin Nasypany, Tom Roberts of Boston Air Traffic Control (ATC) (who plays himself in the film), Colin Scroggins Boston ATC military liaison, Master Sergeant Mo Dooley USAF/Air Nation Guard, Jim Bohleber of New York ATC, David Bottiglia of N.Y. ATC, Christopher Tucker of N.Y. ATC, Major Dan Nash USAF/F15 fighter pilot, Curt Applegate of N.Y. ATC (who plays himself in the film), Stacia Rountree USAF/Air National Guard, Steve Lund of N.Y. ATC, Lt. Colonel Steve O’ Brien USAF/Air National Guard, Major Bob Schumacher USAF/Air National Guard, Capt. Jeff Rosenthal USAF/Air National Guard, Major Joe Divito USAF/Air National Guard, and Technical Sgt. Robben Todd USAF/Air National Guard.

“Hi Mom, it’s me. This kind lady handed me the phone and told me to call you” The kind lady’s conversation with her husband and Honor Wainio’s short conversation with her mother cause me to weep. I even have to stop typing this review just thinking about it.

Boarding Flight 93

United 93 is a well made and emotionally moving film. It serves as a testament of the courage of those that fought back on the doomed airliner and is a story that needs to be told, as the families of those lost wish it to be.

United 93 (2-Disc Limited Edition) is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more inforation.