Not many filmmakers have dared to tackle the 9/11 terrorist attacks on screen, but here are some who did.
Saturday marks 20 years since 9/11, and Hollywood has struggled all that time with how to address it. Here’s how 22 films and TV shows tried to tell stories tied to Sept.11,2001. Comedy Central « South Park » (2001) The first episode of the always topical dark comedy to air after 9/11 revolved around America’s invasion of Afghanistan. NBC « The West Wing » (2001) Creator and showrunner Aaron Sorkin wrote this special episode, about a fictional terrorist attack, and it aired just three weeks after the attacks. NBC « Law & Order » The 9/11 attacks occurred during Season 12 of the long-running drama, and several later episodes revolved around it, including one episode where a woman’s remains were dumped at Ground Zero in order to cover up a murder. Fox « 24 » (2001) Shot a few months before the attacks, the Fox spy thriller became more timely and relevant than it ever intended to be. NBC « Third Watch » (2001) This drama about New York City’s first responders remembered 9/11 with a non-fiction episode, followed by two episodes putting its main characters directly in the aftermath of 9/11. Disney « 25th Hour » (2002) Spike Lee ‘s drama, featuring a pivotal scene within sight of Ground Zero, was the first major film to confront 9/11. It premiered in December 2002. FX « Rescue Me » (2004) The Dennis Leary dramedy focuses on a firefighter who lost his best friend in the 9/11 attacks.
