World Trade Center

by Robbo

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Posted on 17 August 2021

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Rating -

World Trade Center is a 2006 American docudrama disaster film[3] directed by Oliver Stone, based on the experience of a few police officers during the September 11 attacks, in which they were trapped in the rubble of the collapsed World Trade Center. It stars Nicolas Cage, Maria Bello, Michael Peña, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Stephen Dorff, and Michael Shannon.

On September 11, 2001, members of the Port Authority Police are dispatched to Midtown Manhattan in response to the North Tower of the World Trade Center having been hit by a plane. The officers learn en route that the South Tower also was hit by another plane. Sergeant John McLoughlin, veteran of the 1993 bombing, assembles a group of volunteers including officers Will Jimeno and Dominick Pezzulo, to retrieve rescue equipment from Building 5.

As the officers prepare to enter the North Tower from the concourse, the South Tower begins to collapse onto them and realise that their only chance of survival is to take shelter in the elevator shaft. McLoughlin, Jimeno, and Pezzulo are the only survivors, but they are trapped beneath the rubble. Pezzulo tries but fails to free Jimeno, whose lower half is pinned. McLoughlin, who is also pinned, listens helplessly as the North Tower begins to collapse. Pezzulo is fatally injured when a concrete slab crushes his torso.

Two United States Marines, Dave Karnes and Jason Thomas, who are searching for survivors, hear the noise produced by Jimeno and find the men, calling for help to dig them out. After hours and effort by first responders, Jimeno is rescued first, and then hours later McLoughlin is lifted out of the debris in critical condition.

In 2003, Jimeno and McLoughlin, both medically retired from duty, attend a celebratory barbecue with their families. The epilogue reveals that both men were two of twenty people found alive at Ground Zero, and they were numbers eighteen and nineteen, respectively.

David Karnes reenlisted in the Marines and served two tours in the Iraq War.

As Oliver Stone films go this is very muted and overtly non-political.

It faithfully tells the story without fanfare or flourish and presents the events as they happen, displaying Oliver Stones meticulous attention to detail.

Rather than trying to cover all the events of September 11 it instead focuses on a single incident involving handful of people, which makes it a much more personal film that helps you to really engage with the characters.

Overall World Trade Center is a competent film if a little flag waving at times and I would highly recommend.

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