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.
