United 93

I just watched on DVD the docu-drama “United 93” which just won a BAFTA award (British version of the Oscars) for Best Direction. I

It was gut-wrenching to watch the re-enactment of the events that happened on 9/11. Emotions which I thought had already faded with time resurfaced. I felt chills & goose bumps watching the collision of the two planes smash into the two towers of the World Trade Center. I couldn’t stop the tears from forming. Despite knowing how it all ends, I couldn’t help but feel the devastation as it happened.

In addition to relating the story of what happened on flight UA93, the movie also shows a gripping view of what went on in the air traffic control towers on the East Coast & the military air command post when these events were unfolding. Two words: Utter Confusion. No one knew what was happening till it was too late. Even the military had no rules of engagement for such an occasion. No one ever thought that something like that could or would happen.

At one point, the director shot a close-up view of the radar screen showing all the air traffic that was in flying in American air space. Imagine each of those blips as a potential weapon. A terrifying thought. And not as outrageous as it may seem. Five years ago, if someone were to tell me that large commercial planes would be used by terrorists to inflict horror upon the world, I would have laughed & pooh-poohed it off as rubbish. Then look what happened.

I cannot imagine how the passengers on flight United 93 must have felt when they realized what was happening. How do you face your impending doom? What do you say in that last phone call to your loved ones?

And would you have the courage to do what those few did, trying to disarm the terrorists, knowing full well that whatever they did, the end result would likely be death?

What would you have done?

What would I have done?

I hope I will never have to find out for myself.