1. Health
About.com
Death and Dying

Before You See the "World Trade Center" Movie

From , former About.com Guide

Updated: October 1, 2006

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Healing or Harmful?

The answer depends on your perspective.

Some people believe that the time has come. Others think it is too still soon.

One film viewer interviewed after seeing the movie said:

"This movie should have been made three or four years ago. This is a story that needs to be told… [seeing the film] could be empowering, it might help them deal with their feelings of what happened that day."

In filming the movie, Oliver Stone chose to focus on the survival and rescue of McLoughlin and Jimeno

Healing: A Story of Survival

"World Trade Center" movie doesn’t look at the causes of the terrorist attacks or the political fall-out from that day. The focus is on the survival and rescue of two police officers John McLoughlin and Will Jimeno, recounting the two hours that the men spent under the rubble of the World Trade Center before being rescued.

Stone has been quoted saying: "I was looking for a truth about how people survive. It was an inspiration because it was a true story....You couldn't have made it up."

Harmful: Reliving the Tragedy

There are others who aren’t sure about the movie, especially since the release date is so close to the upcoming 5th year anniversary of the tragic event. 9/11 Family advocacy group are warning that the film contains graphic imagery that could potentially be very difficult for 9/11 Family Members. Jeanette Pezzulo believes that the file is too soon and too graphic. Her husband died that day, and now his is dying once again in the film.

Advice for Survivors: View with Caution

Mary Fetchet, founder of Voices of September 11th, a non-profit 9/11 family advocacy group, offers the following advice:

    In deciding whether or not to view the movie it is important to remember that the grieving process is different for everyone. The film may be useful for some family members and traumatic for other. We would like to encourage each family member to decide for himself/herself if seeing this film is appropriate for him/her.

Understanding the Challenges Faced by Survivors

Mary, whose son Bradley died in the World Trade Center, did go to the premiere of the movie in New York. Fetchet said it was important for her to view the movie. "It is important to understand how accurate the films are and the challenges that families may face."

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.

We comply with the HONcode standard
for trustworthy health information: verify here.