Desertman84 9/11 is a documentary about the September 11 attacks in New York City, in which two planes crashed into the buildings of the World Trade Center from the point of view of the New York City Fire Department.It is an extraordinary record of that fateful day in New York City.Telecast to coincide with the six-month "anniversary" of the horrific terrorist attack on New York's World Trade Center,it was directed by Jules and Gedeon Naudet, and FDNY firefighter James Hanlon.This one-of-a-kind documentary was originally conceived as a portrait of 21-year-old Tony Benetatos, a firefighter trainee at Manhattan's Duane Street firehouse, located seven blocks from the World Trade Center. By the time filming was finished, brothers Jules and Gedeon Naudet had captured history in the making, including the only image of the first jetliner striking Tower 1, and the only footage from within the tower as it collapsed. This is not, however, a film about the murderous nightmare of terrorism. It's the ultimate rite-of-passage drama, more immediate and meaningful than any fiction film could be with Benetatos and his supportive colleagues emerging as heroes of the first order involved it became an important journalistic work by simply capturing a moment in time.This documentary will endure forever as a tribute to those, living and dead, who witnessed hell on that sunny Tuesday morning on September 11,2001.

Michael_Elliott 9/11 (2002) **** (out of 4) Powerful documentary about a fire crew that was at the World Trade Centers just as all hell broke loose. I guess this here is the most popular documentary of that day but I just now got around to it. As usual, everything we see going on down there is still shocking and it still seems like it was just a bad dream. The noise of the bodies hitting the ground is a sound you won't get out of your head.There have been countless documentaries done on 9/11 and I find all of them incredibly hard to watch and this one here is no different.

Syl It wasn't supposed to happen. Their initial intention was to follow a fireman from the fire academy through the 9 month probationary period. Tony was chosen from the fire academy and he was stationed at firehouse number one in New York City only a couple blocks from the World Trade Center. Watching the documentary, you can't help but be moved by it. They didn't know what was going to happen and on September 10, 2001, they filmed the twin towers from their firehouse. The Twin Towers was considered not to be attractive but I never thought so. I thought they completed the skyline of New York City. Even from 30 miles away, you could have seen them in my area whether up on a hill or somewhere else. I miss those buildings and mourn the devastating loss of the people inside even though I didn't know anybody personally lost. You take for granted that you see a certain building or landmark. Imagine if the French lost the Eiffel Tower or Rome lost the Vatican, it's a horrible thought because we didn't think something like the events on September 11 could ever happen and so fast. Think about the Titanic, nobody thought she could sink and when she hit the iceberg, she sank faster. The Titanic and the Twin Towers were a lot alike. We thought they would be invincible and last forever. I can't remember when I last saw the Twin Towers. I think it was when I got my new car the week before and saw the New York City skyline wishing I was there. Like Titanic, the Twin Towers was destructible only by man's destruction. Watching this documentary, you get to know what was going on with the firemen. They are never the same again after this day. I resisted watching this tape because I didn't need to see any more footage but this tape is different, it's worth watching at least once. You get to know these firemen, their brotherhood, their closeness to death, and surviving the horrific day and watching it on television. We weren't prepared then but maybe we are now that we are not invincible. This documentary is worth the awards and accolades although I think the film directors would tell you that they would preferred it to be something boring and no lives lost. Watching the brothers reunite after thinking that one might have been lost is one of the most touching scenes ever.

foodstampcharlie Great documentary about the lives of NY firefighters during the worst terrorist attack of all time.. That reason alone is why this should be a must see collectors item.. What shocked me was not only the attacks, but the"High Fat Diet" and physical appearance of some of these firefighters. I think a lot of Doctors would agree with me that,in the physical shape they were in, some of these firefighters would NOT of made it to the 79th floor carrying over 60 lbs of gear. Having said that i now have a greater respect for firefighters and i realize becoming a firefighter is a life altering job. The French have a history of making great documentary's and that is what this is, a Great Documentary.....