Simon Dillon reviews the 9/11 picture

United 93

United 93 - the true story of the passengers on the only plane in the 9/11 hijackings that didn't reach its target - begins and ends with a prayer. At the start the terrorists pray before going to the airport. At the end, the passengers say the Lord's Prayer as they take their heroic stand against the terrorists. These moments show this was not just a physical battle but a spiritual one. I'll return to this point later.

Made with the full endorsement of the relatives of the United 93 passengers, the film nevertheless has attracted controversy, with some claiming it's too soon for a 9/11 picture. But too soon or not, United 93 is an outstanding achievement and will undoubtedly get a best picture nomination come Oscar time. Neither sensational or exploitative, director Paul Greengrass' signature documentary style (replete with "shakycam") actually works very well here. He also recruits a cast of unknowns (all of whom do a great job), and even casts a key roles, such as FAA controller Ben Sliney, as themselves.

Make no mistake, this is no Friday night popcorn flick, but one of the most monumentally upsetting experiences you will ever have in a cinema. The first half in particular, prior to the plane being hijacked, is excruciating. The passengers undergo the usual mundane routine of air travel unaware of their peril and the terrorists they are rubbing shoulders with. They get frustrated at take-off delays, pay no attention to the stewardess' safety demonstration, and make polite but disinterested small talk with one another. What makes these scenes disturbing is they are so commonplace and they are scenes we have all witnessed on countless commercial flights.

All of this is intercut with the situation in air traffic control and air force headquarters, where the broader 9/11 tragedy begins to play out. Sitting through these moments is like reliving the whole horrible experience all over again, and here is where I suspect most viewers will draw the line. My own vivid memories of that horrible afternoon watching the television incredulously all returned with a vengeance.

But despite all this, I did not find the film needlessly depressing but overwhelmingly positive. It shows the best and worst of human nature and the power of the right snap decision under pressure - both the decisions to ground over four thousand planes, and more importantly the riveting moment where the passengers realise they are going to die anyway, but there are far more of them than there are terrorists.

And here is where I return to the spiritual angle. The terrorists on United 93 tried to intimidate the passengers, but their captives overcame their fear and thwarted them. This film honours their memory by showing their immense bravery and courage, but it also demonstrates an important and inspiring spiritual principle about the power within everyone to overcome fear and do the right thing, however difficult, whatever the cost. In short, this is a true story that restores one's faith in humanity.

I therefore urge you in the strongest possible terms to put aside any misgivings you might have and see this film. It does contain some bad language and violence, but it is obviously all contextual and justified. In any event, I cannot foresee a more brilliant, stunningly powerful and deeply moving film emerging this year.