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Deep Dive: 9/11 (2002)

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9/11
9/11 is a documentary film that presents the events of the September 11 attacks in New York City through the perspective of the New York City Fire Department. Directed by Jules and Gédéon Naudet and firefighter James Hanlon, the film follows probationary firefighter Antonios Benetatos and his experiences on that day. Initially intended to document Benetatos's first days as a firefighter, the film captures the chaos and destruction as the firefighters respond to the attacks on the World Trade Center. The film includes rare footage of American Airlines Flight 11 crashing into the North Tower, recorded by Jules Naudet. It also chronicles the actions of Battalion Chief Joseph W. Pfeifer and the firefighters as they attempt rescue operations amidst the unfolding disaster. The film concludes with the aftermath of the attacks, showing the impact on firefighters and the community, and includes updates on the lives of those featured in the documentary years later.

Why Watch

  • •See rare footage of Flight 11 hitting the North Tower.
  • •Meet firefighter Antonios Benetatos during his first day.
  • •Follow Battalion Chief Joseph W. Pfeifer's response efforts.
  • •Find out how the attacks affected firefighters years later.

Did You Know

•The documentary premiered on CBS on March 10, 2002.
•Nearly 3,000 people died in the September 11 attacks.
•Jules Naudet recorded one of only three known videos of Flight 11 hitting the North Tower.
•The film won an Emmy for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special.
•In 2016, CNN aired the film for the fifteenth anniversary of the attacks.

Perfect For

Firefighter storiesSeptember 11 historyDocumentary enthusiasts