United 93

Last night I saw Paul Greengrass's dramatisation of the last hours of Flight 93 on 7th July 2001 - hardly multiplex, typical cinema entertainment and many consider it to be in bad taste, but in a way I'm very glad it took a non-American director to make this: Greengrass's background in "real life" dramatisations is second-to-none and I'd imagine an American director taking on this project would've instilled a sense of schmultz too it, not to mention the inclusion of "name" actors.

The decision to go for "unknown" actors definitely helped this production - adds another layer of realism to the proceedings; if, say, Bruce Willis or Harrison Ford were involved then in the back of our mind we would be expecting him to lead a revolt against the hi-jackers.

U93 also doesn't preach to the audience about how "evil" Islam is - far from it - but rather the inadequacy in the chain of command: both President and Vice-President were otherwise engaged for at least two monomentual moments, to make a decision which could quite easily have changed the course of the day...

The hi-jackers themselves are not portrayed has cold-blooded killers, but rather four frightened young men, wondering if they're doing the right thing... is this what their God wants of them?

The pace of the film is superb, a slow but sure build-up of tension; everyone from passenger to air traffic controller go about their mundane life as like any other day, the camera following their every move.

Much of the film, as you would expect is set within the aircraft itself and this adds enormously to the claustrophobic nature of the story - this must've been a nighmare to photograph, but Barry Ackroyd lights it well.

Overall, it's a film that not only we should watch but also those above us, those who are supposed to be looking after us.

Recommended.