[mojo2]

World’s finest: Oliver Stone’s 9/11 film relives heroic rescue
By Sean L. McCarthy/ Movies
Boston Herald Feature Writer
Sunday, August 6, 2006

Yes, Oliver Stone has made a 9/11 movie.
No, “World Trade Center” (opening Wednesday) does not dabble in conspiracy theories about what happened in the terrorist attacks five years ago.

Rather, it’s a gripping survival story about two Port Authority cops who ran into the towers, only to become trapped beneath.

“The only reason to make it was that they lived and were able to talk about it,” Stone told the Herald. “Otherwise, I would’ve had to do another movie from another point of view. I wasn’t looking to do a 9/11 movie.”

But after reading the script late in 2004, Stone felt drawn to it.

Even if, as he conceded, he had gotten into trouble with the media by suggesting a 9/11 film as early as October 2001.

“I said, ‘Why run away from this?’ ” Stone recalled. “My tendency is to confront fear . . . to say, ‘What the hell happened?’ ”

That led him to Sgt. John McLoughlin (played by Nicolas Cage) and rookie Officer Will Jimeno (Michael Pena), the 18th and 19th of only 20 survivors pulled from the wreckage.
The real McLoughlin, still walking with a limp and quite thin, said he, his wife, Donna, and the Jimenos were cautious about turning their real-life struggles into a movie.

“But (our) intent has always been that we need to remember the men we lost that day,” he told the Herald. “On our team, Will and I were the last to see many of those officers alive. To get their stories out there and the stories of the rescue workers was more important to us than telling our story.”

New York City’s first responders didn’t run or retreat, he said. They stayed and tried to save as many people as they could. And when McLoughlin and Jimeno became buried in rubble, others came to rescue them.

How well could they convey what really happened in and under the towers, though, without suffering more post-traumatic stress?

“There’s aspects of all this that, through repetition, I’m now more comfortable in dealing with,” McLoughlin said. “But there’s aspects of it that still are very much emotional and raw.

And they always will be.”

Stone, screenwriter Andrea Berloff (who grew up in Framingham) and producers respected that and often apologized for prying, he said.

“We said, ‘Listen, you need to know all the details to do the job right. Just go for it. Ask us. We’ll tell you,’ ” McLoughlin said.

The first time he saw the finished movie, he was “too involved in the process,” checking to make sure everything looked and felt right. The second time, with their families and friends, they watched it as regular audience members.

“I walked out to the lobby and broke down,” he said.
But McLoughlin said this story needed to be told.

“This is showing a different part of 9/11 than you’ve generally seen in the press,” he said. “It’s showing how people came together that day. It showed how families had to come together that day. If people feel better about their families or look at their kids differently (afterward), that’d be a good thing.”

Stone proudly noted that “World Trade Center” is his first PG-13 movie. Word-of-mouth has been bolstered by rough-cut preview screenings in Minneapolis and Seattle.

“I insisted that they bring 13- to 16-year-olds because of the PG-13,” he said.

Stone also brought his two children, ages 10 and 14, to a screening. Like most children, they may have been too young to comprehend 9/11 when events unfolded.

“You’d be surprised, in Seattle, how many of them . . . said, ‘I really wanted to know what happened on that day.’ We were shocked.”

Stone’s critics may be surprised that “World Trade Center” doesn’t carry a political agenda.
“That was everybody’s intent from the start,” McLoughlin said. “This was not to be a political message. This tells about families and individuals.”

His wife, Donna, added: “The heroics of the day - the way that people were willing to sacrifice to save other people - that’s our message. There’s no political anything. This is what we want. That’s our intent. And Oliver’s intent as well.”


- slmccarthy@bostonherald.com

http://theedge.bostonherald.com/movi...ticleid=151536

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More on:
• Oliver Stone
• 9/11
• World Trade Center

[Kevin]

Not so sure this was the most tasteful movie to be made.

[residentEvil]

Let alone Nicolas Cage...

The trailer played before Talladega Nights (now that was funny) and when Cage was on screen, everyone in the theater groaned.

[Kevin]

Yeah the trailer just left a bad feeling in my stomach.

[Adam Betts]

Good to hear that it doesn’t carry a political agenda. I like the director but his political agenda is just ridiculous.

I'll never understand why they picked Nicholas Cage.

[Spook E]

Not to be a bugger, but will we ever hear the end of this? Seriously?

[IceEnclosure]

Originally Posted by Spook E

Not to be a bugger, but will we ever hear the end of this? Seriously?

of what? Seriously.

[Mithras]

The right-wingers at National Review all seemed to like the movie quite a bit. Make of that what you will.

[Chuckit]

If they mean "gripping" in the sense of "trite and cliched," I completely agree.

[Zeeb]

Originally Posted by Chuckit

If they mean "gripping" in the sense of "trite and cliched," I completely agree.

Have you seen this movie? I've heard it opens Wednesday. How can you criticize it if you haven't?

[His Dudeness]

Originally Posted by Mithras

The right-wingers at National Review all seemed to like the movie quite a bit. Make of that what you will.

And I'm sure left winger environmental wacko tree huggers think that Bush did it all.

[scaught]

Originally Posted by His Dudeness

And I'm sure left winger environmental wacko tree huggers think that Bush did it all.

actually, we're blaming you.

[His Dudeness]

Hey, I was asleep at the time. And nobody saw me do it, so there.

[Landos Mustache]

They should make a movie about the Tsunami. I know 200,000 Non-American Deaths aren't as sad but I am sure it is was just as "entertaining".

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

They should make a movie about the Tsunami. I know 200,000 Non-American Deaths aren't as sad but I am sure it is was just as "entertaining".

seek help.

[SVass]

From today's Onion

"NEW YORK—Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone said Monday that his new film World Trade Center unveils "compelling and controversial" new evidence that a single plane was responsible for all four collisions..."

[Landos Mustache]

Originally Posted by SVass

From today's Onion

"NEW YORK—Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone said Monday that his new film World Trade Center unveils "compelling and controversial" new evidence that a single plane was responsible for all four collisions..."

AND it was piloted by Atheist Gays.

[Monique]

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

They should make a movie about the Tsunami. I know 200,000 Non-American Deaths aren't as sad but I am sure it is was just as "entertaining".

So Mr. Perfect make one.

[Landos Mustache]

Originally Posted by Monique

So Mr. Perfect make one.

I'm not a movie producer.

[Monique]

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

I'm not a movie producer.

But, you are perfect enough to constantly criticize the Americans even though the courage of the firemen and policemen were incredible you still find faulth with them.

[Landos Mustache]

Originally Posted by Monique

But, you are perfect enough to constantly criticize the Americans even though the courage of the firemen and policemen were incredible you still find faulth with them.

Never said anything about them actually.

But since you always complain about Canada Miss Perfect perhaps you should go off and start your own country.... the land of the miserable middle age woman would be a hit.

[residentEvil]

i think a macnn movie would be a cult hit. just think of the star cast to play the regulars around here...the famous and not so famous posters.

hmmmm

[Monique]

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Never said anything about them actually.

But since you always complain about Canada Miss Perfect perhaps you should go off and start your own country.... the land of the miserable middle age woman would be a hit.

That is what I am often talking about, criticize some Canadian and he will be aggressive but it is ok for the same Canadians to criticize heroes because they are Americans.

[Landos Mustache]

I really don't think a movie should be made about these events. Sure you show how some people were heroic etc. but in the end it is just a snuff type of entertainment.

Movies like Schindler's list are important because it shows events from 60 years ago that were horrific and bringing it up again educate people so something like that never happen again.

This movie will only make people sadder and madder than they already are. It won't prevent anything.

I don't want to watch this movie as it will make me upset and mad. Me feeling that way will not positively contribute to the current situation with the wars.

I can respect and honor the hero's without having to watch a movie about it.

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

They should make a movie about the Tsunami. I know 200,000 Non-American Deaths aren't as sad but I am sure it is was just as "entertaining".

Landos, why do you criticize the choice to make a film about two Policemen who survived a tragedy?

How long should their story be hidden from view?

In your view would it be alright to wait til they actually pass away from natural causes many many years from now? Make it something like a "Saving Private Ryan" film?

There's nothing wrong with SPR or the timing of it coming out while there are still WWII veterans alive.

But you must know that there were movies about WWII which came out DURING the war. And "The Best Years of Our Lives" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0036868/ was released in Nov. 1946 about a year after the war ended and dealt specifically with the effect the war had on America and Americans.

Plot Summary for
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

Three American servicemen return home to Boone City after the war, to find their lives irrevocably changed by their military experience. Homer Parrish* has lost his hands, and has become distant from his fiancee and family as he struggles to overcome his disability. Al Stephenson returns to a family which has grown and changed during his three years away. And Fred Derry finds himself stuck in a lousy job and a loveless marriage, while at the same time falling in love with Al's daughter. Together, the three must find a way to come to terms with their experiences and pick up the pieces, lest wartime turn out to be "the best years of their lives".

Summary written by Shannon Patrick Sullivan {shannon@morgan.ucs.mun.ca}

*Harold John Russell was born in Nova Scotia in 1914. His family moved to Cambridge Massachusetts when his father died in 1919. He was training paratroopers at Camp MacKall NC on June 6, 1944 when some TNT he was using exploded in his hands. He lost both hands. After receiving hooks, and training on them, he was chosen to make an Army training film called "Diary Of A Sergeant". William Wyler saw the film and decided to change a character in his film The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) from a spastic to a double amputee. Harold Russell played Homer Parish. For this role he received 2 Oscars, a Best Supporting and one for being an inspiration to all returning veterans. He is the only actor to receive 2 Oscars for the same role. After the movie he attended Boston University. He later went on to help establish AMVETS as a viable alternative to the American Legion for veterans, though his dream of an international veterans organization was never realized. He later appeared in Inside Moves (1980) and Dogtown (1997). He lived with his wife on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. He wrote 2 biographies: "Victory In My Hands" (1947) & "The Best Years Of My Life" (1981). http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0751174/bio

Stone's World Trade Center comes out five years later and focuses on the survival of two of the heroes of that tragedy.

What is your problem?

[Landos Mustache]

Originally Posted by mojo2

Landos, why do you criticize the choice to make a film about two Policemen who survived a tragedy?

How long should their story be hidden from view?

Did I say anything about sweeping it under a rug? Write a book about it, or a TV special... but a movie with nicolas cage?

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by Landos Mustache

Did I say anything about sweeping it under a rug? Write a book about it, or a TV special... but a movie with nicolas cage?

Ooops, your "PROGRESSIVENESS" is showing.

I don't expect to EVER hear you complain about Constitutional rights now that you are on record as saying THAT!

[Kevin]

He just doesn't like it cause it's about America, and doesn't paint it into a bad light.

Ignore his xenophobic behavior.

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by Kevin

He just doesn't like it cause it's about America, and doesn't paint it into a bad light.

Ignore his xenophobic behavior.

[Landos Mustache]

Originally Posted by mojo2

I don't expect to EVER hear you complain about Constitutional rights now that you are on record as saying THAT!

Huh?

[MindFad]

This thread FTW!

[Peter]

guess someone has to cash in in 9/11

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Peter

guess someone has to cash in in 9/11

Yeah, exactly.

I'd like to know how long Hollywood waited before its first movies about Pearl harbor.

[Monique]

Originally Posted by Dakar

Yeah, exactly.

I'd like to know how long Hollywood waited before its first movies about Pearl harbor.

Actually there were lots of movies on the war during the war; I would say in the 50's there were more on the European victory than the Asian side; I guess the public was more interested on the white side of the equation. 1970 was the year Tora Tora Tora came out, 25 years later. But the Oliver Stone's movie is not really about the attack it is more about the rescue officers that survived the ordeal.

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by Dakar

Yeah, exactly.

I'd like to know how long Hollywood waited before its first movies about Pearl harbor.

So you are saying we should adopt the US WWII model of behavior and attitudes for today's war?

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by Monique

Actually there were lots of movies on the war during the war; I would say in the 50's there were more on the European victory than the Asian side; I guess the public was more interested on the white side of the equation. 1970 was the year Tora Tora Tora came out, 25 years later. But the Oliver Stone's movie is not really about the attack it is more about the rescue officers that survived the ordeal.

Correct again, Monique!

Category:World War II films made in wartime
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Subcategories

There are 1 subcategories shown below (more may be shown on subsequent pages).
W
Why We Fight
Pages in category "World War II films made in wartime"

There are 24 pages in this section of this category.
A
An Airman's Letter to His Mother
C
A Canterbury Tale
Casablanca (film)
Coastal Command (film)
Contraband (film)
Corvette K-225
F
Forty-Ninth Parallel
H
Hangmen Also Die
I
In Which We Serve
L
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp
The Lion Has Wings
M
Mrs. Miniver (film)
N
Night Train to Munich
The North Star (1943 film)
O
One of Our Aircraft is Missing
P
Pimpernel Smith
Prelude to War
S
The Story of G.I. Joe
T
This Happy Breed
This Is the Army
This Land Is Mine
V
The Volunteer
W
Wake Island (1942 film)
Went the Day Well?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categor...ade_in_wartime

[jokell82]

Originally Posted by Dakar

Yeah, exactly.

I'd like to know how long Hollywood waited before its first movies about Pearl harbor.

The Secret Agent of Japan was released in April of 1942, so 4 months.

That was a fictitious movie, though. December 7, 1941 was an Academy Award winning documentary released in 1943.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by jokell82

The Secret Agent of Japan was released in April of 1942, so 4 months.

That was a fictitious movie, though. December 7, 1941 was an Academy Award winning documentary released in 1943.

Thanks. Interesting.

[tooki]

Mojo2: please use the Political lounge for political topics.

tooki