"9/11: Inside the President's War Room" is actually a pretty simple documentary. It follows then-President George W. Bush from his morning jog in Florida to addressing the nation from the Oval Office later that night after the terrorist attack that felled the World Trade Center, damaged the Pentagon, and nearly targeted the White House were it not for the United Flight 93 passengers. This doc--under the direction of Adam Wishart--is utterly riveting in its simultaneous simplicity and complexity (as well as A-political nature).
Basically, "War Room" tells the story of what President Bush did during the course of that entire day, from reading to a elementary school classroom in Florida to jet-setting across the country in Air Force One (trying to keep his cabinet safe and gather information) to finally "coming home" to D. C. and addressing the nation. There is a palpable sense of tension throughout this entire doc, in a very small way mirroring the events of the day in question. While easy to look back in hindsight and criticize actions, it is instructive to remember the unprecedented nature of the day's events and how major decisions were being made in real-time.
I saw many photographs and video clips in "War Room" that I had never previously viewed--things like President Bush on Air Force One, Vice President Dick Cheney & Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a secure bunker. Again, this all helped me gain perspective on just how fractured and difficult the decision-making process was on that day.
"War Room" is also the type of documentary that doesn't even sniff a political stance or personal "take" on the issues at hand. While such a "just the facts, ma'am" approach limits the scope of the piece quite a bit, there is also something refreshing about hearing the stories directly from the sources (Bush, Cheney, Rice, cabinet/advisors, etc.). Agree/disagree, like/dislike, but to me this doc painted--via the first-hand accounts and corresponding images--about as accurate of a picture as can be had of the President's timeline and actions that fateful day.
9/11 is one of those events that will never be forgotten by those who lived through it. As such, there has been so much written/said/shown about every angle of that topic that it can be difficult to find something new or refreshing to cover. Fortunately, "War Room" worms its way into that niche by focusing on the President, his principal advisors, and a blow-by-blow description of the day's events. I was completely engaged from beginning to end and could have watched another hour and a half with ease. The narration of Jeff Daniels is also an enormous plus--his voice and composure is made for this sort of thing.
Basically, "War Room" tells the story of what President Bush did during the course of that entire day, from reading to a elementary school classroom in Florida to jet-setting across the country in Air Force One (trying to keep his cabinet safe and gather information) to finally "coming home" to D. C. and addressing the nation. There is a palpable sense of tension throughout this entire doc, in a very small way mirroring the events of the day in question. While easy to look back in hindsight and criticize actions, it is instructive to remember the unprecedented nature of the day's events and how major decisions were being made in real-time.
I saw many photographs and video clips in "War Room" that I had never previously viewed--things like President Bush on Air Force One, Vice President Dick Cheney & Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a secure bunker. Again, this all helped me gain perspective on just how fractured and difficult the decision-making process was on that day.
"War Room" is also the type of documentary that doesn't even sniff a political stance or personal "take" on the issues at hand. While such a "just the facts, ma'am" approach limits the scope of the piece quite a bit, there is also something refreshing about hearing the stories directly from the sources (Bush, Cheney, Rice, cabinet/advisors, etc.). Agree/disagree, like/dislike, but to me this doc painted--via the first-hand accounts and corresponding images--about as accurate of a picture as can be had of the President's timeline and actions that fateful day.
9/11 is one of those events that will never be forgotten by those who lived through it. As such, there has been so much written/said/shown about every angle of that topic that it can be difficult to find something new or refreshing to cover. Fortunately, "War Room" worms its way into that niche by focusing on the President, his principal advisors, and a blow-by-blow description of the day's events. I was completely engaged from beginning to end and could have watched another hour and a half with ease. The narration of Jeff Daniels is also an enormous plus--his voice and composure is made for this sort of thing.