United 93 Opens Today

The much anticipated film United 93 officially opens today. Everything I've heard from those who have been fortunate enough to see the film already has been very positive. I will have more to say after I've seen the film.

David Beamer, father of United 93 passenger and hero Todd Beamer, wrote a wonderfully moving article over at OpinionJournal.com in which he praises the filmmakers for "getting it right." He also addresses the objection that it is "too soon" to tell this story:

There are those who question the timing of this project and the painful memories it evokes. Clearly, the film portrays the reality of the attack on our homeland and its terrible consequences. Often we attend movies to escape reality and fantasize a bit. In this case and at this time, it is appropriate to get a dose of reality about this war and the real enemy we face. It is not too soon for this story to be told, seen and heard. But it is too soon for us to become complacent. It is too soon for us to think of this war in only national terms. We need to be mindful that this enemy, who made those holes in our landscape and caused the deaths of some 3,000 of our fellow free people, has a vision to personally kill or convert each and every one of us. This film reminds us that this war is personal. This enemy is on a fanatical mission to take away our lives and liberty--the liberty that has been secured for us by those whose names are on those walls in Battery Park and so many other walls and stones throughout this nation. This enemy seeks to take away the free will that our Creator has endowed in us. Patrick Henry got it right some 231 years ago. Living without liberty is not living at all.

Americans are blessed with a short national memory. We don't tend to dwell on the past, but continue to look to the future. However, we can't afford to just forget what happened 5 1/2 years ago on a beautiful September morning -- no matter how politically inconvenient that may be. Is it too soon to be showing this film? No, it's not. I think it's 3 years late, but I'll settle for now.


Related Post:
United 93 Film In Theatres April 28th


United 93 Links:

Official Movie Website

Heroes of United Flight 93

Guide to September 11th Memorials

Flight 93 Memorial Chapel

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Coverage of Flight 93

Popular Mechanics: Debunking the Myths of September 11th