United 93 (film)

United 93 is a 2006 docudramaaction film produced, written, and directed by Paul Greengrass, that depicts the events around United Airlines Flight 93, one of four hijacked flights of the September 11 attacks; Flight 93 was the only plane not to hit a target, due to the actions of its passengers. The film also covers the experiences of government officials and air traffic controllers, some of whom are played by themselves, as they witness the attacks unfold.

The film recounts the hijacking and subsequent events during the flight using a real time perspective, where the film takes place over the same amount of time as the real-life events, beginning from takeoff. There is, however, a disclaimer that some imagination was used to tell the story. United 93 was made with the support and cooperation of many passengers' families, who attended the premiere, although there were a few who did not participate in any of the film's activities. Some of the on-the-ground personnel, most notably Federal Aviation Administration head Ben Sliney, portray themselves.

United 93 premiered on April 25, 2006, at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, and later opened in theaters nationwide in America on April 28, 2006. The film was a box-office success, grossing $78 million worldwide. Ten percent of the gross income from the three-day opening weekend was promised as a donation to create a memorial for the flight's victims.

The film is often listed as one of best films of the 2000s and received accolades including two BAFTAS, an Empire Award and prizes at multiple international film festivals in addition to two Academy Award nominations: Best Director for Greengrass and for Clare Douglas, Richard Pearson, and Christopher Rouse.