102 Minutes That Changed America

102 minutes that changed America is a totally engrossing documentary, focusing on the attacks in New york in real time. Much of the footage has never been seen before. It captures perfectly the terror, chaos and confusion of that morning, using police and fire department radio calls, 911 calls from people trapped in the towers and of course video footage from news cameras and people in the street. The most amazing moment is filmed from an apartment several blocks away. As two women talk off camera, the second plane flies into the second tower. The screams of horror and disbelief that follow are just incredible to hear. Unmissable.

There are plenty of news specials on this week, since today's the 10th anniversary of the event, but after taking a look at a lot of them I have to say that this 2008 documentary (made by The History Channel, I believe - ?) is the very best there is. It has no commercials, is in chronological order of what occurred and there is NO NARRATION, which allows you to re-live the entire thing as if it's happening again. Not that this is something anyone actually wants to do ... but, if you're looking for the best collection of videos explaining exactly what happened that day, this is the one for you. I may even look into purchasing a copy, for a historical reference.

Channel 4 has absolutely surpassed itself in screening this moving and extremely challenging documentary. For two hours, image after image took one's breath away as we saw real (but mostly very high quality) video footage of the twin towers collapse from 8.45 am until 10 29 am. Played sequentially with views from all angles including actually inside the towers it was heart stopping television.

I think one thing that made it so powerful was its lack of commentary and opinion. It was not a political film, simply an unfolding of an event in something like real time. Some might say it was the extremest form of voyeuristic television but I thought it was a work of true skill and, indeed, art. I should make special mention of the constant but very subtle musical underscore, by Brendon Anderegg, which was quite beautiful. Someone call the BAFTAs. (And the Academy, and the Emmys.) Truly magnificent TV.

I've seen many documentaries about this horrible tragedy but non of them did have so much shocking atmosphere.

It is not typical documentary with narration or speaking hosts, it is true image of the tragedy very intelligently made from multiple camera shots and recorded voices of people that witness it from beginning of the attacks.

The background music is of pure horror that follows scenes from first shot till the moments when huge dust settled after both towers collapsed.

It is the image of the real situation, the pure horror of that tragedy, the real image of human fear and shock. If you ever saw catastrophic movie and you know the excitement feeling, this documentary will make you feel shocked, speechless and with tears in your eyes.

Great great work.

I watched this two nights ago on the History Channel and was completely engrossed.

I watched the entire thing unravel on Sky News as it happened, and as I was concentrating on the pictures as opposed to the fill-in commentary the "102 minutes" tended to match my remembrance of the time. For example, I will never forget Kay Burley waffling about something, with a picture wall backdrop behind her of the two towers in the distance from well north. I watched a belching cloud of dust create in the distance and knew one of them had come down. Unbelievable as that was at the time.

"102 minutes" recreates the experience from everyone's eyes in the vicinity. Expertly edited, with some very poignant radio messages and phone calls done as voice-over (particularly those of the NYFD).

I didn't cross the spoilers box, as everyone knows the story. But watch for a video left running unattended (family's voices in the background), out a window, industrial hoppers in the foreground, and Tower 1 in the distance. As the inevitable happens in perfect focus, I think my heart stopped for a beat or two. Unforgettable.

Last night I watched World Trade Centre with Nicholas Cage. One review in the paper was rather scathing, and said "the film" about 9/11 was probably still out there waiting to be made. He was right; "102 minutes" is it!.

This is an absolute must see.