102 minutes that changed America

On the 8th anniversary of the dreadful events that happened in New York, America, and are often referred to as 9/11, we watched "102 Minutes That Changed America."

It is scheduled to be aired again in the UK and in many ways is essential viewing.

​There can be few, if any readers, who know little of what I am writing about. However for that tiny minority:-
On September 11, 2001, a plane hit one of the Trade Centre Towers in New York. At first it was thought to be an accident but, within a short space of time, a second plane hit the other tower and people's worst fears were confirmed. America and its people were under attack from an unknown source.

Since that time there have been many theories about the possible involvement of certain American agencies, foreknowledge of the American Government and conspiracy. I for one do not believe any of these and hope to God that I am right.

So, on that fateful day, as the drama unfolded before the eyes of the World, the twin towers fell to the ground and people were deeply moved, shocked and saddened.

It is now 2017

The following was written September 10, 2009.

"Today is September 10, 2009 and, this year in the UK, there have been many programmes aired regarding the twin towers and 9/11. All have been interesting but of course upsetting. One of the documentaries that I have watched this week was "102 Minutes That Changed America".

This film is available through sources such as Amazon.

For those interested I would recommend watching this film but expect a bumpy ride. 102 Minutes is made up of actual footage that New York's citizens, workforce and visitors collected on that day.

102 minutes is such a brief time when you consider the implications of what took place during this period of time. It was 102 minutes from when the first plane hit the first Trade Centre Tower until the collapse of the second tower and the carnage that was left behind.

9/11
It was a beautiful late Summer, early Autumn day and America looked glorious. The bright blue sky was the type that I find so heartwarming. I doubt that those who witnessed this event close at hand could ever look at such a sky in the same way again.

With footage from around 100 different onlookers, this film shows many aspects of this atrocity which I had not seen before. From close by, a couple of blocks away, five blocks away or even way across New York City on Staton Island this event was witnessed.

In the UK it was early afternoon before the news broke of the first plane hitting one of the Twin Towers. Just as when President Kennedy was assassinated, when I was a child, I remember so well what we were doing on 9/11. Hubby had been ill and a Doctor's appointment was booked for later in the afternoon. I was going with him as he had been very unwell.

By the time the appointment arrived the towers had fallen, the world had changed and the day felt totally unreal. The receptionists were listening to the news on radios at the surgery and everywhere felt eerie. Unlike such disasters in the past the news coverage was intense and all too explicit.

The difference with 102 Minutes That Changed America is that it is real and, in a raw sense, created by the man on the street. There is some news footage but on the whole it is Joe Public who is the camerman,ad woman.

The devastating effect 9/11 had on people who lived close by is there to see as plain as day. The film has the same effect of Cloverfield in that people at times are running for their lives whilst still filming. Only this time it is for real. This makes for a very unstable image at times but we must never forget that this is not a drama but real life.

I cannot say that I enjoyed 102 minutes as that is the wrong word to use.

I was glad that I watched it although much of the two hours when this film was aired was upsetting. By the time each commercial break came around I felt drained and I was only watching a film. Thank god I was not there. As a record of a dreadful piece of history 102 minutes is very accurate.
​
I will not re hash the events of that day, as we all are only too well aware of what happened and what has happened since. I did wonder though how those who were so close by coped after the event. People such as:-

• The emergency service telephone personal who took the calls from some of those trapped in the buildings
• Priests who were on hand.
• Children who lived near.
• Those who witnessed the jumpers.

And so many more.
It goes without saying that those directly involved and their families must struggle on a daily basis.
So this film is recommended viewing but not for everyone.

At the start the film makers state that there is plenty of distressing footage and personal caution should be exercised. Despite the emotional roller coaster this film evoked in me I am glad that I decided to watch 102 minutes. It is gripping stuff and a painful reminder why terrorists must never be allowed to succeed.