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United 93
2006 111 min France, United Kingdom, United States of America R 16+
★8.1
Drama, History, Crime, Thriller, Action
Director: Paul Greengrass
🎭 Based on
«9/11 Commission Report»
by9/11 Commission
Trailers
Description
A real-time account of the events on United Flight 93, one of the planes hijacked on 9/11 that crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania when passengers foiled the terrorist plot.
Budget:
$15M
US Gross:
$31.48M
Worldwide:
$76.3M
Starring
David Alan Basche
Actor
Olivia Thirlby
Actor
Liza Colón-Zayas
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 2007
— Best Film Editing
BAFTA 2007
— David Lean Award for Direction
BAFTA 2007
— Best Cinematography
BAFTA 2007
— Best Original Screenplay
BAFTA 2007
— Best Sound
Academy Awards 2007
— Best Director
BAFTA 2007
— David Lean Award for Direction
BAFTA 2007
— Alexander Korda Award for Outstanding British Film
Key opinion
United 93 is widely praised for its stark, documentary-style approach to the 9/11 hijackings, prioritizing a raw and respectful portrayal of the passengers' final moments over traditional Hollywood melodrama. While the majority of viewers find the film an emotionally devastating and immersive historical achievement, a minority critique its technical realism and narrative choices.
| Direction | The use of real-life air traffic controllers and personnel alongside handheld cinematography creates a visceral, immersive sense of documentary-like realism. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds in honoring the humanity and bravery of the passengers without resorting to exploitative tropes or excessive sentimental manipulation. | |
| Acting | The decision to avoid recognizable stars and traditional plot structures fosters a more authentic, somber reflection on the tragedy. | |
| Ending | The abrupt and stark conclusion provides a jarring, powerful sense of finality that leaves a lasting emotional impact on the audience. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the screenplay are divided: some appreciate the stripped-back, factual focus, while others find the characterizations and depictions of the hijackers artificial and lacking historical nuance. |