"September 11, 2001. Four planes were hijacked. Three of them reached their target. This is the story of the fourth."
That is the tagline for the upcoming movie, "United 93," about the flight that was hijacked on 9/11 and ended up crashing in Pennsylvania. The movie, due in theatres April 28, is based on events that reportedly occurred on the flight. It is directed by Paul Greengrass, who also directed "The Bourne Supremacy" and "Bloody Sunday."
The flight left New Jersey about 45 minutes late and was on its way to San Francisco. Washington, D.C., was supposedly the target of the three or four hijackers that were on board United 93. A total of about 40 persons were aboard. Ziad Jarrah, 26, was the lead hijacker.
It is believed the plane crashed because many of the passengers heard of the three planes that crashed into the twin towers and Pentagon. The passengers apparently wanted to fight. It is said phone calls were made from the flight, and the cockpit recorder from the plane was found two days after the crash.
I don't think history should be forgotten, but isn't it a bit soon to be releasing a movie about Sept. 11? Only five years have passed, and I know the visual images of the plane crashes are still embedded clearly in my mind. I'm curious, as I'm sure are many others, about what truly occurred on United 93. Even with evidence, it can never be certain what in fact happened on that plane.
Personally, I don't think there is ever a "correct" time to see a heartbreaking and true story like "United 93." However, I believe the wounds of the Sept. 11 attacks are still healing. I could only imagine how the families of those lost loved ones feel. Will the movie actually show the plane crashing into the ground at an approximated 580 miles per hour and leaving a 115-foot-deep crater, killing all those aboard?
Essentially, this movie will be about reliving the horrific events and the absolute fright that must have been felt by the passengers and crewmembers. I expect the results to be powerful. Just reading about Flight 93 is powerful to me.
I just hope that "United 93" depicts as factually as possible what occurred. Those passengers and crewmembers were heroes for wanting to save people on the ground instead of themselves.
I still believe this story should be told. Its intensity, its truth and its depth should be told. I just believe it is a bit too early. It's a bit too soon after the real attacks for me, and I didn't know anybody onboard personally. After just watching the preview I literally had chills crawling up and down my skin.
And I know for certain it has to be too soon for the loved ones who knew the "hostages," as police call them. It would be awfully painful for them to recall the phone conversations and the events surrounding the crash in general.
This wound is far from healed.
Victoria is a journalism junior. Reach her at victoria.ragogna@asu.edu.
