9/11: Inside the President's War Room

An interesting re-telling of the 9/11 story, but it seemed to maintain that the decisions made by Bush and Cheney somehow justified their actions. In reality, their entire circle of war hawks were nothing more than a cabal of bumbling idiots whose "war on terror" spanned 20+ years and cost US$2.2 trillion dollars. Seems like that money could have provided health care for the entire country for more than 20 years. Go figure.

Apparently it is for all these bashers difficult to put this docu in the context of 2001 or from a preferred political party point of view. Dont look at it from a Rep. Lens or Dems lens but look at it through a 2001 lens.

It is so easy (and a cheap shot) to judge those based on the knowledge we have today and if you do, well yeah you rate it probably below 4*.

If you watch these docu througg a 2001 lens or perhaps, if you are a bit more sophisticated, through a political analyst lens, you might actually enjoy this doc.

As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, I'm sure there will be a glut of films and documentaries re-examining the events of that awful day. This ninety-minute fly-on-the-wall documentary took us through the fateful 24 hours from the collective point of view of the American Executive and in particular President George W Bush as he and the rest of his team watch and somehow have to react disbelievingly to the events as they occur. There's notably no comment on how the aftermath played out subsequently with the U. S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, which is ironic of course given current events as we now see the seismic impact of the controversial U. S. and U. K. withdrawals of their armed forces from Afghanistan. This documentary then focuses exclusively on how Bush and his senior aides coped on a day when all their nightmares came true and while the rest of us could only watch in horror, he and they had to make instant decisions to both protect and pacify the rest of their country and indeed the rest of the world.

I remember at the time there was some satirical jibing on U. K. TV about Bush's befuddled initial reaction on being told, while attending a children's primary school, that America was under attack, but while I'm no great admirer of the president's time in office, I can't imagine any human being reacting very differently to such shocking news. It has to be said however, that with the active participation of the president and his staff in this film, there was never going to be much critical comment on their actions here, so we hear nothing about the failures in U. S. Intelligence which failed to anticipate the attacks and instead we end up with a lionising tribute to the President by all and sundry when to be honest, he reacted pretty much as you'd expect him to.

I was amazed at the televisual access on the day to Bush in particular but also the Vice President Dick Cheney and other senior government officials, with it seems video or still photographic depictions of their almost every move in reaction to the chaotic events. There were some interesting reveals along the way, such as Condoleeza Rice's briefing of Russian President Putin or the mistaken belief that the President's jet Air Force One was itself under attack. While there was little room for the background stories of the slain or the heroism of the rescue services, there was the sad retelling of the death of the wife of the U. S. Attorney General who was actually on board one of the four planes used in the attacks, who the night before had left a touching birthday note on her husband's pillow as he slept.

There possibly is a more critical programme to be made on how the events of 9/11 could conceivably have been prevented in the first place or the unforeseen consequences right up to the present day of Bush's self-justified gung-ho reaction to events but there was certainly never any chance that he was going to regret, at least on camera, any of his subsequent decisions. However, critical as I may be of him in other ways, I'm going to cut the man some slack on what was a cataclysmic day. As he says himself at the close, his ends justified the means as there have been no further atrocities carried out in mainland America since then.

That said, he may yet live to rue those words if a Taliban-run Afghanistan does indeed become, as is now feared, a future breeding ground for American-targeted terrorist attacks in the future...

"9/11: Inside the President's War Room" is an extraordinary documentary that chronicles the harrowing events of September 11, 2001, with a focus on the decision-making process within the highest echelons of power. In this riveting account, viewers are granted an exclusive glimpse into the intense and often heart-wrenching discussions that took place in the White House Situation Room.

Through skillful storytelling and meticulous research, the film succeeds in capturing the gravity of the situation and the weight of responsibility that fell upon the shoulders of our nation's leaders. It presents a balanced perspective by featuring interviews with key figures, including President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and other members of the administration.

What sets this documentary apart is its ability to humanize the individuals involved. It portrays them not just as political figures, but as human beings grappling with immense pressure and the weight of history. The film delves into the emotional toll and difficult choices faced by those in power, showcasing the complexities and dilemmas they encountered during those dark hours.

The narrative is expertly paced, seamlessly interweaving personal accounts, archival footage, and real-time reconstructions. The result is a gripping and immersive experience that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, even though they already know the outcome. The attention to detail and authenticity in the production design further enhances the film's credibility and impact.

"9/11: Inside the President's War Room" is not just a recollection of past events; it is a reflection on the resilience of the American people in the face of tragedy. It serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by first responders and the bravery displayed by ordinary citizens in times of crisis.

While the documentary does not shy away from the controversies and criticisms surrounding the response to the attacks, it refrains from passing judgment or engaging in political debate. Instead, it focuses on illuminating the decision-making process and the extraordinary efforts undertaken to protect and rebuild the nation.

In the end, "9/11: Inside the President's War Room" is a testament to the power of leadership and the indomitable spirit of a nation united. It is a must-watch for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of those fateful events and the people who were at the forefront of shaping the response. Prepare to be moved, inspired, and ultimately reminded of the enduring strength of the human spirit.

This is an amazing doc. It actually just seems to be a 2021 version of the 2011 documentary with the same people. That documentary was called 9/11:The day that changed America. It's nice to hear it from the bush administration at that time and from his words. I loved how seemless the scenes moved through.