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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
9/11: The Falling Man (2006)

9/11: The Falling Man (2006)

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Released 6-Sep-2006

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Documentary None
Rating Rated PG
Year Of Production 2006
Running Time 71:47 (Case: 76)
RSDL / Flipper No/No Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 1,2,3,4,5,6 Directed By Henry Singer
Studio
Distributor

Roadshow Home Entertainment
Starring Tom Junod
Steven Mackintosh
Case Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip
RPI $29.95 Music Dario Marianelli
Alan Mackay
Ben Stark


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame None English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
16x9 Enhanced
Video Format 576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles English Smoking No
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits No

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

    There are images that have defined certain eras or events in humanity. Be it the Vietnam war or any atrocity captured on film, there are certain photos that seem to define a moment perfectly without explanation, photos that come to be widely circulated and recognised throughout the world.

    The Falling Man is a documentary that examines one of the many images that were circulated by the press immediately after the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001. The image in question can be seen above on the cover of the disc. It shows a man plummeting headfirst to the ground, having leapt from the burning towers. After touching on the events of the day and how the nation reacted, the program focuses specifically on this image, the photographer who took it, it's subsequent circulation, the public's reaction to it and why it was later deemed un-newsworthy.

    Amazingly, some journalists attempted to identify the figure in the photograph. Much to the distress of one family, a Canadian journalist believed he had discovered the jumper's identity and published a lengthy, personal article on the man's last days. A deeply religious family, they had believed very strongly that he would never have jumped because his death as a suicide would contradict their beliefs. Once this avenue of investigation is closed, the filmmakers explore other possible identities, interviewing employees and relatives in hope of identifying the falling man.

    One question that is often raised here is 'why explore the photo?'. What more can be learned by revealing the jumper's identity? As is revealed by this documentary, it is clear that most Americans would prefer to ignore those who chose to jump rather than be burned alive, in fact most people instead chose to focus on heroic images of firemen sifting through the rubble. Amazingly, during investigations it was discovered that despite countless reels of film to the contrary, the coroner had no record of any fatalities as a result of wilfully jumping from the burning towers. Those on the ground they say, were 'blown out' on impact.

    Those who participated in this documentary state that through exploring the photo it may assist in reducing the stigma associated with these images. We are introduced to a man who positively identified his wife from a number of photographs taken on the day. Viewing the images helped this man come to terms with his wife's decision to leap from the tower and in turn, gave him some form of closure. Whether or not the documentary succeeds in it's aim is entirely dependant on the viewer.

    If I had to make one criticism of this UK production, I would say that it does unnecessarily romanticise things a little at times, describing some jumpers as 'graceful' and 'soaring'. I can't begin to imagine how difficult it would have been for a human being to make the decision to end their life in this way, but it is explored here tastefully and without a hint of sensationalism. There are pauses for ad breaks present, which can be a little disruptive.

    It really is hard to believe we are already passed the fifth anniversary of 9/11. I was at work in the early hours of the morning when the first plane struck and television stations began broadcasting the atrocity live. I'll never forget the feeling of my workmates and I huddled around the tiny television set, gasping in awe as the events unfolded before our eyes. Strangely, despite the horror of it all, it was a bonding experience that we would never have encountered otherwise. When I reflect on September 11th, I remember that night shift, the uncertainty on my mates' faces and how we are a stronger team because of it.

    If you are seeking a documentary that examines the day's events in more detail, then this production may not be exactly what you're after. On the other hand, it would be impossible to watch this documentary and not be moved in some way. As an exploration of American culture, the media and how 9/11 effected the families of those who perished, this is compelling viewing that succeeds in putting a human face to the tragedy.

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Transfer Quality

Video

    This documentary was produced for broadcast on digital television and has been compiled from numerous sources, news services and amateur footage. As such, the picture quality does vary. Some of the images have been cropped to fit the widescreen frame, resulting in reduced resolution. The interviews and other segments that were recorded especially for this documentary are absolutely pristine in quality. The feature is presented in 1.78:1, complete with 16x9 enhancement.

    The transfer is only limited by the source material. Some of the footage is noticeably grainy, even pixelated at times. I also noticed a few moments of extreme aliasing. As I mentioned above, the footage produced specifically for this documentary is first-rate and shows none of these issues.

    Some mild MPEG compression artefacting can be seen on occasion, but I doubt this will be an issue to the average viewer.

    An optional English subtitle stream is provided and may be activated via the main menu. I found the text accurate and relatively easy to follow.

    Given the small amount of material here, this disc is single layered (DVD5 formatted).

Video Ratings Summary
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    A single English stereo soundtrack is included, presented in Dolby Digital 2.0. This is the production's original language.

    The English dialogue and narration is crystal clear and easy to understand at all times. Like the varying video sources, some of the accompanying audio can be a bit rougher in comparison to the new footage, but these moments don't present any major hurdles for the viewer. On the whole, the soundtrack is involving and problem-free.

    The score by Dario Marianelli is simple, tasteful and piano based. There were absolutely no moments where I felt the score was overly dramatic or doing the subject matter a disservice.

    There is obviously no subwoofer or surround activity to speak of.

Audio Ratings Summary
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

    There are no extras.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

    This title appears to be identical across all regions.

Summary

    9/11 The Falling Man is compelling viewing.

    The transfer is only limited by the source material.

    There are no extras.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Rob Giles (readen de bio, bork, bork, bork.)
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Review Equipment
DVDDenon DVD-3910, using DVI output
DisplaySanyo PLV-Z2 WXGA projector, Screen Technics Cinemasnap 96" (16x9). Calibrated with Video Essentials/Digital Video Essentials. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 720p.
Audio DecoderBuilt in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials/Digital Video Essentials.
AmplificationDenon AVR-2802 Dolby EX/DTS ES Discrete
SpeakersOrpheus Aurora lll Mains (bi-wired), Rears, Centre Rear. Orpheus Centaurus .5 Front Centre. Mirage 10 inch sub.

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