“102 Minutes That Changed America” is a 102-minute documentary produced by the History Channel and made its premiere on September 11, 2008. The film depicts the real time events of the September 11th attacks primarily using raw footage captured by citizens and amateur journalists. The footage itself focuses on the events of the attacks themselves and the reactions of the people of New York during the incident. The documentary also includes an 18-minute feature named “I-Witness to 9/11,” featuring interviews of nine individuals who were able to capture the events on camera.
This documentary is arguably the best piece the History Channel has ever created. The documentary itself includes footage from various sources chronologically placed to show the events of the tragedy unfold minute by minute. Today, 15 years after the incident, everyone in America knows the story of the events and the narrative to go along.
But that’s the best part about this documentary: the lack of narrative.
Instead of having a Morgan Freeman sounding voice narrating all of the information about the tragedy of that day, the raw footage of the events speaks for itself. From the first plane hitting the North Tower at 8:46 AM to the collapse of the tower at 10:28, viewers see the 102 minutes of the unedited terror that was September 11, 2001.
The footage itself speaks for the terror that simply cannot be put into words. Viewers see both planes as they fly full force into each building, and the first hand effects this tragedy had. The documentary includes every minute of the terror all the way down to some harrowing footage of victims falling or jumping out of the towers. More than the events themselves, it also shows the people of New York in pure terror as they stand on the sidewalks of their city or watch from their apartments assuming the worst and hoping in gripping fear that they weren’t next.
This documentary shows the reactions of the people of New York in a raw and unfiltered way. The innocent people of New York stand on the sidewalks watching with shock as first responders run toward the terror. It shows the innocence of the bystanders as they discuss the possibility of what this unfathomable tragedy could be.
This documentary makes for a huge realization that September 11, 2001 was so much more than “a terrorist attack where thousands of people died.” As 15 years have gone by and we become numb to the tragedy and indifferent to the numerous stories we have heard, I challenge everyone to watch this documentary. Watch as the terror unfolds, and catch a small glimpse of what it might have been like to witness the tragedy. Let yourself feel just a sliver of the pain that was felt that day.
This documentary makes any average American (like myself) see September 11, 2001 in a completely different way. You’ll feel pain for those who lost love ones on that day, and admiration for any police officer, firefighter, and first responder. You’ll feel appreciation for every veteran and active duty military personnel choosing to fight for our freedom. After watching this documentary, you will feel a love for your country like never before. It’ll make you want to stand up every time you hear the National Anthem being played, and want to scream every time you see someone stomping on the American flag. When you hear comments like “I hate America” or “9/11 was an inside job,” you’ll rage with fury because the first hand glimpse of this horrible day that this documentary shows. The harrowing events that occurred in Lower Manhattan on that day will be embedded in your mind forever, as they should be.
These are 102 minutes that changed America forever, and they should always be remembered. They should never be forgotten.
