9/11

Anyone watch the CBS documentary last night? It made me feel exactly like I felt on the real Sept. 11, sick to my stomach all over again. What an odd twist of fate that these filmmakers happened to be at that time and place when they did.

Anyone have any thoughts on the film? I personally think that too many of us had begun to go on with business as usual. It was time to rethink the event.

It was a gut wrenching, sickening and almost fascinating experience to watch it from this filmaker's perspective. I was so glad that the engine company being filmed, that all the men made it back in one piece physically, though they are wounded mentally beyond belief. It doesn't seem like it was only 6 months ago that it happened though, it seems much earlier to me anyway. There were parts when I closed my eyes and tried to close off my ears too, and those who watched it could probably tell what parts those were. My heart again goes to all those who lost someone and to all the brave people who in an instant had no choice, but to die along with all the victims.

I watched, also. It was so intense... it was like reliving that morning again. I felt, once again, like I was being punched in the stomach watching the first plane hit, then the second. My S/O told me not to watch it, that it was just upsetting but I disagree. I told him it NEEDED to be watched. We can't just go on as nothing happened.

I missed it last night, but from what I heard, it was really good. Does anyone know if they are going to air it again soon?

I watched most of it, and I found it to be so emotional. I found the sounds ( and if you watched it you know which sounds I mean ) to be nauseating. I just cringed, and cannot imagine how those firefighters must have felt. The whole day is still with me just like it happened yesterday, its hard to believe that 6 months have gone by.

The documentary was presented very well, I was impressed. I hope it gets released on video, I'd like to add it to my history collection.

I watched it too, and tears were in my eyes. I am glad there was no censorship and I can watch everything, through the filmmakers' eyes.

Originally posted by dtolle
I found the sounds (and if you watched it you know which sounds I mean) to be nauseating.

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dtolle,

I have to agree with you. The sounds were the worst part of all. According to an article I read on Sunday morning, those sounds were edited by the filmmakers, because in reality you heard one every 20-30 seconds. It is almost incomprehensible. As that one firefighter put it, "I can't imagine how horrible it must be up there if jumping is the preferable alternative".

I missed it

Me too AP! I didn't hear anything about it.

My husband and I watched it. From what I heard, this is the only time that they will air it. I'm sure it will be released on video/dvd, though. My husband recorded it on the satellite receiver (like TIVO), but I don't think that I even want to watch it again. It's one of those things that I'm glad I saw it once, but don't want to watch it again even though it's good to have in the library.

I think that it was a good time to air it. It was put together so well, and really got the feeling of that horrible day. Amazing footage.

I taped it as well. It is a good thing to keep for its historical significance. I taped the news the night that the Challenger exploded.

Last year, my son brought the video to school as part of a presentation for his science class. So many kids had never seen the coverage because it was before they were born. It gave them a unique perspective on a historical event.

I missed it too I wish I had known it was on.

CBS "9/11" documentary draws big ratings
Reuters
Mar 11 2002 4:01PM

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The CBS telecast of "9/11," a documentary account of the World Trade Center attacks from the perspective of firefighters on the scene, drew nearly 39 million viewers, making it the most watched non-sports program this season, early ratings showed Monday.
A full third of all households whose TV sets were turned on during the two-hour broadcast Sunday night tuned in to the special, which aired on the eve of the six-month anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Hosted by actor Robert De Niro, "9/11" was compiled from footage shot by French filmmakers Jules and Gedeon Naudet from inside the north tower of the trade center after it was struck by the first of two hijacked airliners, and from scenes of chaos and terror outside.

The program was shown without commercial interruption, except for public service messages from sponsor Nextel Communications and from U.S. homeland defense chief Tom Ridge.

Preliminary figures from Nielsen showed the program drew an average audience of 38.98 million viewers, more than have watched any non-sports broadcast in prime time so far this season. By comparison, the Super Bowl pro football championship last month averaged 86.8 million viewers, and the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City drew 46 million. Nearly 32 million viewers tuned in to the season premiere of "Friends" on NBC.

The Naudet brothers who shot "9/11" had been making a documentary about a rookie fireman and other members of the New York Fire Department's Engine 7, Ladder 1.

The morning of Sept. 11, Jules Gedeon rode along with firefighters on a routine call to a reported gas leak blocks away from the Trade Center when he captured the only known footage of the first plane plunging into the north tower.

He then rushed with the first group of firefighters to the scene and continued to roll tape inside the lobby, while his brother shot scenes on the surrounding streets.

The documentary contained rough language that CBS aired unedited, but no footage of actual deaths or carnage was shown. A CBS executive said the network had made the decision not to show "gruesome, unkind or difficult" images.

But the program had no shortage of gripping moments, notably the off-screen sounds of bodies of those who had jumped from the towers slamming into the pavement outside the lobby. The film showed the faces of veteran firefighters, normally stoic, but on this day experiencing almost overwhelming bewilderment at the devastation unfolding around them.

Some 3,000 people -- more than 10 percent of whom were firefighters -- were killed in the attacks and subsequent collapse of the towers.

Some victims' family groups and politicians recently wrote to CBS urging the network to exercise sensitivity in airing the documentary and expressing concerns that graphic footage might prove especially disturbing to survivors.

CBS executives said other family members acknowledged the documentary would be hard to watch but said they felt it was important that it be aired because of its historical significance.

"We've done everything we can to produce the show with the greatest respect for the event and the people who died, as well as for those who survived," a CBS executive said.

I hope they air it again for the people who didn't see it, but I cannot watch it a second time. It hurt my heart to much to see these brave souls who endured this hell.

yes I watched it it was very emotioal and I cry at time,s

I watched it & it was a very powerful show. The sounds (which you know which ones) were just horrifying to listen to. I don't know about you, but it felt like you were right along with them ..... I am glad I watched it ...... The documentary was presented very well.

i was in bed fallen to the hands of NyQuil (bad head cold) and i missed it.

did anyone happen to tape it? i'm really upset to have missed it.

I taped it.

let me re-phrase;

anyone tape it that is willing to send it to Canada?

I'll make a copy and send it to you, jones jr.