The Crux of the 9/11 Film Fracas

No doubt unwittingly, Thomas Kean, ex-New Jersey Guv, co-chair of the 9/11 commission and consultant on the Disney/ABC film, “The Path to 9/11”, hit the nail on the head re the controversy over the film. This morning the New York Times reported, “Mr. Kean said he was surprised by the outcry, since most of the critics have not seen the film.” Right, Mr. Kean. That’s true. And why have no Democrats, including those who are mis-quoted and maligned in the film not seen the film? Because the weaselly producers, director and Disney/ABC saw to that only Republicans were sent advanced copies. The same stripe of Republicans who are now fighting tooth and nail to keep detained terrorists from seeing the evidence that will execute them, also decided that only Republicans would be allowed to review the 9/11 film before it is aired. These are totalitarian fascistic maneuvers. However, the review that Chicago Sun-Times television critic, Doug Elfman, gave the film today is so deliciously scathing that it puts the entire controversy in perspective in a way that mere complaints about unfair tactics cannot come close to. I’m reprinting some of the review here: Doug Elfman said, “I once sat in a car forever waiting for my mom to come out of a grocery store. I thought that was the definition of "interminable." I had no idea "The Path to 9/11" was in my future. “This is what happens during 4-1/2 lonnng hours of "Path." Terrorists talk about killing Americans for Allah. FBI and other security officials try to track them but fail. 9/11 happens. “You don't say. “This is the most anticlimactic, tension-free movie in the history of terrorist TV. Elfman gives the film a zero-stars rating, then says, “It's hard to fathom a brouhaha brewed over such a bore. ABC has received tens of thousands of letters -- including one from Bill Clinton's office -- insisting "Path" is wildly inaccurate and should not air. But ABC still plans to air the two-part movie. “Controversy could boost viewership, except "Path" is the dullest, worst-shot TV movie since ABC's disastrous "Ten Commandments" remake. It substitutes shaky handheld cameras and dumb dialogue for craftsmanship. It could not be more amateurish or poorly constructed unless someone had forgotten to light the sets.” He goes on, but read it yourself: http://www.suntimes.com/output/entertainment/cst-ftr-elf08.html