Whilst most dramatisations focus on the 2001 bombings alone, this film is different, in that it begins with the lesser-publicised 1993 World Trade Centre bombings. The 9/11 Commission Report – a report conducted by a specially-appointed committee and commissioned by the US President – forms the basis of the story. The programme caused controversy in the US due to the involvement of 9/11 Commission Chairman Thomas Kean as co-producer and advisor.
The series is comprehensive, just like the report it’s based on. It will require you to pay attention to the details in order to piece together the series of events. But it does prove compelling viewing. Harvel Keitel’s masterful portrayal of FBI Special Agent John P. O’Neill is spot-on. A special mention should go to Nabil Elouahabi, who expertly plays terrorist Ramzi Yousef. The actor was clearly wasted in EastEnders as that annoying friend of the Ferreiras, Tariq Larousi.
The film’s highlight is the dramatic ending, which features a poignant but gripping recreation of the second plane hitting the WTC and concludes with the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. Although The Path is one of many dramas based on the terrorist attacks, it stands out as being one of the few that is based on an official report. Watching the details of the FBI investigation, you will realise just how much you didn’t know about the lead up to the events and how the FBI dealt with arguably the biggest threat to the country in living memory. It will certainly leave you with food for thought.
