September 11, 2001, was a day that changed the world forever. It was a day when terrorists hijacked four passenger planes and struck the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The attacks took the lives of nearly 3,000 people and left countless others injured and traumatized. In the years since the attacks, many documentaries have been made to try to understand what happened that day and to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11. In this article, we will explore a list of 911 documentaries that you can watch to learn more about this tragic event.
1. 9/11 (2002)
This documentary, directed by Jules and Gedeon Naudet and James Hanlon, follows the events of 9/11 as they unfolded from the perspective of the firefighters who responded to the World Trade Center. The filmmakers were actually filming a documentary about a rookie firefighter when the attacks occurred, and they captured some of the only footage from inside the towers during the attacks.
2. 102 Minutes That Changed America (2008)
This documentary, directed by Nicole Rittenmeyer and Seth Skundrick, is a compilation of real-time footage from various sources that captures the events of 9/11 as they happened. The documentary shows the chaos, confusion, and horror of the attacks from the perspective of ordinary people who were caught up in the tragedy.
3. 9/11: The Falling Man (2006)
This documentary, directed by Henry Singer, explores the mystery behind a photograph of a man falling from the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The photograph, which became known as "The Falling Man," was published in newspapers around the world and became one of the most iconic images of 9/11. The documentary investigates the identity of the man in the photograph and the ethical issues surrounding its publication.
4. 9/11: Press for Truth (2006)
This documentary, directed by Ray Nowosielski, investigates the unanswered questions about the events of 9/11 and the government's response to the attacks. The documentary features interviews with family members of 9/11 victims and experts who question the official narrative of what happened that day.
5. 9/11: The Heartland Tapes (2002)
This documentary, directed by Rusty Martin, tells the story of the attacks from the perspective of people who were not in New York City or Washington, D.C. on 9/11. The documentary features interviews with people from the heartland of America who watched the events unfold on television and were deeply affected by the tragedy.
6. 9/11: The Filmmakers' Commemorative Edition (2011)
This documentary, directed by Jules and Gedeon Naudet and James Hanlon, is a remastered version of their original documentary, 9/11. The filmmakers added new footage and interviews to create a more comprehensive and updated account of the events of 9/11.
7. 9/11: Ten Years Later (2011)
This documentary, directed by Gedeon and Jules Naudet, features interviews with former President George W. Bush, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and other key figures from the 9/11 attacks. The documentary reflects on the events of 9/11 and the impact they had on the world ten years later.
8. The Woman Who Wasn't There (2012)
This documentary, directed by Angelo J. Guglielmo Jr., tells the story of Tania Head, a woman who claimed to be a survivor of the 9/11 attacks. Head became a prominent advocate for survivors and was even elected president of the World Trade Center Survivors' Network, but it was later revealed that her entire story was a fabrication.
9. Man on Wire (2008)
This documentary, directed by James Marsh, tells the story of Philippe Petit, a French high-wire artist who walked between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. The documentary is not explicitly about 9/11, but it offers a poignant and bittersweet reminder of the towers' beauty and majesty before they were destroyed.
10. United 93 (2006)
This film, directed by Paul Greengrass, tells the story of United Airlines Flight 93, the plane that crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back against the hijackers. The film is a powerful and emotional tribute to the passengers and crew members who sacrificed their lives to prevent the terrorists from reaching their intended target.
In conclusion, these are just a few of the many documentaries and films that have been made about the events of 9/11. Each of them offers a unique perspective on the tragedy and the people whose lives were forever changed by it. We hope that this list will help you find a documentary that speaks to you and helps you gain a deeper understanding of this pivotal moment in history.