Review: 9/11: Inside the President's War Room

9/11: Inside the President's War Room is an astonishing and harrowing documentary — taking a behind-the-scenes look at one of America's most tragic days.

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BBC One's newest documentary gives us an in-depth look and a minute-by-minute breakdown at the Bush administration's response to one of the worst terrorist attacks in American history. Now, BBC One does a great job keeping their documentary sufficiently apolitical and focused. Likewise, I will also do my best to keep this review apolitical as well. I believe this documentary needs to be watched and discussed: no matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on or what your feelings are towards the Bush administration. Narrated by actor Jeff Daniels, we follow then-President George W. Bush and his inner circle for 12 hours on September 11, 2001. Starting from 6 a.m. that morning until that evening, we get to see and listen to then-President Bush's viewpoint.

As the chaos and tragedy of that day unfolded, Bush and his administration had to piece the news and intelligence coming in from New York City and elsewhere. Inside the President's War Room is a gripping documentary that reconstructs the day of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks from the point of view of Bush and his advisors. News broke of the first jetliner crashing into the World Trade Center shortly before 9 a.m., while Bush was attending a Florida Elementary school. At first thinking, it was an accident, then realizing that this was an attack, shortly after the second jetliner crashed into the World Trade Center. We watch Bush and his advisors trying to gather intelligence from inside a Florida classroom — while then-Vice President Dick Cheney and then-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were at the White House being informed on the situation. It's easy to forget how surreal and confusing that day was, but Adam Wishart skillfully captures that sad day through archived videos and photos.

Once Bush made it to Air Force One, he insisted that he go back to Washington. His advisors deemed it not safe, especially after the Pentagon was attacked at 9:37 a.m. We watch Air Force One's route from Florida to Louisiana to Nebraska, where the administration could gather more intelligence and briefings. We also learn that Air Force One did not have cable and could only pick up news channels if they were flying over large cities. Ironically, Air Force One became the worst place to gather intelligence, but the secret service deemed this the safest place for the president at the time. Other people we listen to during this documentary include: Cheney, Rice, Colin Powell, Andy Card, Dan Bartlett, Deborah Loewer, Josh Bolten, Ari Fleischer, Karl Rove, Ted Olson, and more. Apple bought the distribution rights for Wishart's doc, releasing it on September 1, 2021: paralleling the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Wishart's doc also captures the horrors and turmoil of that day. He tackles a genuine backseat view at an administration's worst fears coming alive. Through breathtaking editing and photography, we relive America's deadliest terrorist attack and how it has shaped and modeled our country 20 years later. On a final note: Over the weekend, former President Bush gave a speech at the Flight 93 memorial service, where he recounted the heroism of the passengers and crew of Flight 93. But he also talked about the impacts of domestic terrorism and how it has become a growing threat, i.e. the US Capitol insurrection on January 6, 2021. "There's little cultural overlap between violent extremists abroad and violent extremists at home. But in their disdain for pluralism, in their disregard for human life, in their determination to defile national symbols, they are children of the same foul spirit. And it is our continuing duty to confront them."

Now Streaming on Apple TV+

9/11: Inside the President's War Room is not rated (NA)

Directed by Adam Wishart

Starring George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Rice, Colin Powell, Andy Card, Dan Bartlett, Deborah Loewer, Josh Bolten, Ari Fleischer, Karl Rove, and Ted Olson.