PATH TO 9-11, THE {PART 2 OF 2} / PRESIDENT BUSH 9/11 ADDRESS (TV)
Summary
Tape one of two. Part two in this two-part miniseries, a dramatization of events leading up to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, based on sources which include the 9/11 Commission report and containing fictionalized scenes and composite characters. This part begins on September 11, 2001, as George W. Bush reads to schoolchildren in Florida. Meanwhile, terrorists prepare to hijack planes in Boston and Washington D.C. At F.A.A. Boston Center at 8:14 a.m., ground control monitors its flights, losing communication with American Airlines flight 11. Flight control realizes that the plane has been hijacked, as well as United 175, and that they may be headed toward New York. Calls are put in for fighter jets to get in the air. The program flashes back to October 12, 2000 in New York City, as FBI agent John O'Neill learns that the U.S.S. Cole has just been the target of a suicide bomber in Yemen. In Aden, Yemen, on October 14, O'Neill arrives to head an investigation. There, O'Neill goes to the U.S. Embassy where he meets with Ambassador Barbara Bodine. The ambassador is tough with him, listing her strict rules for how O'Neill and his men should act in Yemen. She later insults O'Neill's men, raising his ire. O'Neill meets privately with Bodine, wondering why she won't help him and she eventually shuts his operation down. Meanwhile, National Coordinator for Counterterrorism Richard Clarke briefs his men on the latest Usama Bin Ladin news, wanting to hit all Al-Qaeda targets simultaneously. Secretary of State Madeline Albright, Secretary of Defense William Cohen, and CIA Director George Tenet aren't sure they should launch a retaliatory strike. National Security Adviser Sandy Berger takes Tenet to task for not being "on top of this," causing Tenet to walk out. Clarke is angry that Albright refuses to act, seemingly more concerned with politics. Later, Clarke gets permission to send a drone into Yemen. Though the drone spots Bin Ladin, its signals are eventually scrambled. Meanwhile, Carver is furious that an armed drone wasn't sent in which would have taken out Bin Ladin and his associates. At the Northern Alliance Base Camp in Afghanistan, leader Ahmed Shah Massoud studies video of Bin Ladin's compound. Massoud asks Kirk why America doesn't use its fancy technology to kill Bin Ladin. Massoud wants to be provided with arms instead of "trinkets." At the Al-Qaeda Training Camp in Al Mater, Afghanistan, Ziad Jarrah, planned hijacker of United 93, Marwan Al-Shehhi, planned hijacker of United 175, Muhammad Atta, planned hijacker of American Airlines 11, and logistical supporter Ramzi Binalshibh are introduced to Ayman al-Zawahiri. Meanwhile, the presidential contest between Bush and Al Gore heats up. Back in the United States, the would-be hijackers undergo flight training. Jonathan Pitts, ground controller, and FAA investigator Harvey Hansen find it odd that two Middle Eastern students left their plane on the runway and bolted to avoid questions. Meanwhile, after Bush is elected, O'Neill's briefcase is stolen in Miami but, oddly enough, no classified papers are taken. However, O'Neill is in trouble for having removed classified documents from FBI offices. At the same time, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice meets with Clarke to discuss the Al-Qaeda situation. Rice wants to "redefine" Clarke's position to focus on other security concerns. Clarke tells O'Neill that Tenet is sure Al-Qaeda will attack America soon. O'Neill is tired of political correctness and is considering get out of the FBI. In Homestead, Florida, Atta tries to get a bank loan to purchase a crop duster and is turned down. Later, O'Neill meets with the CIA, getting some more intel on the goings-on in Yemen, with the CIA wanting him to ID some suspects. O'Neill grows furious when CIA analyst Jim Fielding says he doesn't have clearance to give names of suspects to the FBI. On July 4, 2001, at U.S. Customs in Miami, more would-be hijackers enter the country. On July 10, at the FBI Office in Phoenix, Ken Williams writes a memo discussing possible Bin Ladin-sent terrorists attending American flight schools. At the Hoover Building at FBI Headquarters, the FBI decides to "table" Williams's information. On August 4 at U.S. Customs in Orlando, Mohammed Al-Kahtani of Saudi Arabia is taken into holding when he gets belligerent after presenting his paperwork. INS agent Jose Perez questions Al-Kahtani, thinking him a "hit man" and not allowing him into the country. In Madrid, Spain, Atta meets with Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, who shows photos of their U.S. targets. Atta doesn't think there are enough pilots and Muhammad recommends Zacarias Moussaoui, who is learning how to fly. At the Pan Am International Flight Academy in Minneapolis in August, Moussaoui undergoes training. The instructors are privately concerned that Moussaoui is not interested in learning how to land or take-off, only how to steer, thinking he could be a terrorist. Eventually, the FBI and INS offices are alerted and agents track Moussaoui to his apartment. Moussaoui is held on a visa violation. However, Washington refuses to give the FBI permission to look through Moussaoui's laptop, even though O'Neill knows the man is "dirty." However, O'Neill is in the midst of packing up his office, having decided to retire from the FBI after being dragged through the mud about his stolen briefcase. Meanwhile, on a European press tour, Massoud questions why Bush is not acting against Al-Qaeda. Afterward, Massoud asks Kirk why America is not funding the Northern Alliance. Massoud thinks Bin Ladin is planning an act of "terrorism beyond comprehension" in America. Kirk meets with Tenet to detail Massoud's thoughts on Al-Qaeda. Rice gets word from Tenet that Bin Ladin is determined to strike America. Meanwhile, O'Neill attends a party on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center, at Windows on the World restaurant. There he meets with ABC correspondent John Miller, discussing the latest developments on Bin Ladin. During the party, O'Neill reveals his newest job, as director of security for the World Trade Center. In Madrid, Spain, on August 29, terrorists receive the date of the impending attacks, as approved by Atta. At Al Mater on August 30, news is delivered to al-Zawahiri that it is finally time for the attacks. Meanwhile, Massoud calls Kirk, informing him that Bin Ladin is ordering his people back into the mountains. Massoud believes Bin Ladin is about to perpetuate a "spectacular" aviation hijacking in America. Kirk informs his superiors but no one is willing to act. Rice tells the security council that Bush believes Al-Qaeda is a real threat and wants to initiate action against Bin Ladin. At the Northern Alliance headquarters on September 9, men claiming to be journalists arrive to meet with Massoud. Massoud is curious why the Moroccan men are using Belgian passports but allows them in nevertheless. Once inside, the interviewer detonates a bomb and assassinates Massoud. Kirk is upset to hear of Massoud's death, revealing that Massoud once claimed that if he is assassinated that it will be "a signal" that something bigger is about to begin. In Portland, Maine, on September 10, the terrorists make final preparations, with Atta discussing his religious convictions while eating pizza. That night, the men buy box cutters and knives. The next morning, on September 11, Atta gets his boarding pass for Los Angeles, al-Hazmi gets his pass despite not having a photo ID, and O'Neill arrives for work at the World Trade Center. Then, once American 11 and United 175 are in the air, the terrorists prepare to hijack them. By 8:37 a.m., ground control is calling for F-16s to possibly take down the hijacked aircraft. Then, from his office, O'Neill sees the north tower struck by a plane. He immediately heads to the tower, trying to clear people from both buildings. Meanwhile, Tenet gets word about the crash at the World Trade Center. O'Neill talks to his son J.P. by cellphone, telling him not to come to the World Trade Center as they had planned. John Miller and his news crew arrive on the scene, capturing some startling footage. Meanwhile, ground control tracks United 175, noticing it heading for the south tower, where it ultimately crashes. Rice is stunned by the attacks, talking with Clarke about what the next step should be. O'Neill continues trying to help evacuate the World Trade Center. Commercials precede the program. Continues on T:89727. An hour into the broadcast, Charles Gibson interrupts to present an Oval Office address from Bush on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks. After footage of Bush observing memorials earlier in the day, the president discusses what has been done since the attacks. He also addresses subjects which include the following: why America attacked Saddam Hussein in Iraq; the training of Iraqi troops to defend their country; the sacrifices of the U.S. military and their families; and why he has hopes that the Middle East will soon find peace. After the 16-minute speech, George Stephanopoulos, ABC News chief Washington correspondent, discusses Bush's speech and summarizes its message that "the war is not over."
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: September 11, 2006 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:59:22
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:89726
- GENRE: Docudrama; News
- SUBJECT HEADING: Docudrama; News
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 2006
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Promos - "Dancing With the Stars"
- TV - Promos - "Men in Trees"
- TV - Promos - "Primetime: 9/11/06: Where Things Stand"
CREDITS
- for "The Path to 9/11"
- Marc Platt … Executive Producer
- Thomas H. Kean … Co-Executive Producer
- Cyrus Nowrasteh … Producer, Writer
- Mark Winemaker … Producer
- Penelope L. Foster … Producer
- Hans Proppe … Producer
- Bruce Dunn … Co-Producer
- Richard Luke Rothschild … Production (Misc.), Line Producer, Morocco
- Zakaria Alaoui … Production (Misc.), Line Producer, Morocco
- David L. Cunningham … Director
- John Miller … Based in part on the book "The Cell" by
- Michael Stone … Based in part on the book "The Cell" by
- Peter Lance … Based in part on the book "1000 Years for Revenge: International Terrorism and the FBI, the Untold Story" by
- Samuel M. Katz … Based in part on the book "Relentless Pursuit" by
- John Cameron … Music by
- Harvey Keitel … Cast, John O'Neill
- Michael Benyaer … Cast, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed
- Wendy Crewson … Cast, Valerie James
- Shirley Douglas … Cast, Madeline Albright
- Kevin Dunn … Cast, Samuel "Sandy" Berger
- Mido Hamada … Cast, Ahmed Shah Massoud
- Patricia Heaton … Cast, Barbara Bodine
- Barclay Hope … Cast, John Miller
- Penny Johnson Jerald … Cast, Condoleezza Rice
- Dan Lauria … Cast, George Tenet
- Amy Madigan … Cast, Patricia Carver
- Michael Murphy … Cast, William Cohen
- Stephen Root … Cast, Richard Clarke
- William Sadler … Cast, Neil Herman
- Pip Torrens … Cast, Paul Kessler
- Donnie Wahlberg … Cast, Kirk
- David Zayas … Cast, Lou Napoli
- Martin Brody … Cast, Muhammad Atta
- Stephanie Moore … Cast, Deena Burnett
- Nayef Rashed … Cast, Ayman al-Zawahari
- Elie Gamael … Cast, Mohammed Al-Kahtani
- Geoffrey Rivas … Cast, Perez/Customs
- Jean Yoon … Cast, Betty Ong
- Gabe Fazio … Cast, J.P.
- Zee Sulleyman … Cast, Zacarias Moussaoui
- Mark McDonald … Cast, NEADS Controller
- Cecelia Jaladian … Cast, Translator/Customs
- Joel Keller … Cast, Pete Zatewski
- Angela Asher … Cast, Lorraine
- Philippa Domville … Cast, Coleen Rowley
- George R. Robertson … Cast, Dick Cheney
- Don Allison … Cast, Gen. Hugh Shelton
- Karen Glave … Cast, Betsy/Customs
- David Huband … Cast, Charley/Customs
- Alex Karzis … Cast, Murray
- Mike Realba … Cast, Reeve
- Noam Jenkins … Cast, Marwan Al-Shehhi
- Neil Crone … Cast, Dorsey
- Emilio Doorgasingh … Cast, Atel
- Fahad Hussein … Cast, Al-Omari
- Navid Negahban … Cast, Khalili
- Ham Zanoun … Cast, Assassin Cameraman
- Cameron Bancroft … Cast, Mike McCormick
- Sayed Badreya … Cast, Massoud Assassin
- Mahmoudi Mbarek … Cast, Massoud's Guard
- Marcia Bennett … Cast, Jane Garvey (FAA)
- Sasha Roiz … Cast, Demoia INS
- Terry Serpico … Cast, Pulaski FBI
- Vik Sahay … Cast, Moussaoui's Roommate
- Ruth Marshal … Cast, Johnette
- Ron Lea … Cast, Jim Fielding (CIA)
- Arnold Pinnock … Cast, FBI Staffer
- Daniela Saioni … Cast, O'Neill's Secretary
- Abdullah Chikh … Cast, Ramzi Binatshibh
- Jennifer Ricci … Cast, Amy Sweeney
- Tarik Ait Benali … Cast, Ziad Jarrah
- Daniel Chapman Smith … Cast, Salem al-Hazmi
- Ben Lourdjane … Cast, KSM Courier
- Hardee Lineham … Cast, ATC Boston Supervisor
- Alison Smiley … Cast, AA Ticket Agent Boston
- Rebecca Northan … Cast, AA Supervisor
- Shannon Lawson … Cast, Reservation Agent N.C.
- Arlene Mazerolle … Cast, AA Agent
- Carolyn Scott … Cast, Stacey
- Karl Pruner … Cast, FAA Supervisor
- Nicholas Baillie … Cast, Nerdy Controller
- Robert Verlaque … Cast, Commissioner
- Christian Lloyd … Cast, Boston Controller
- Jonathan Potts … Cast, Harvey Hansen
- Victor Young … Cast, Gen. Myers
- Lubomir Mykytiuk … Cast, Ken Williams
- Richard Blackburn … Cast, FDNY Fire Chief
- Sam Malkin … Cast, W.T. C. Firefighter 1
- Philip Craig … Cast, FDNY Chaplain
- Phil Luzi … Cast, Tired Fireman
- Anthony Ashbee … Cast, W.T.C. Firefigher 2
- Brian Rhodes … Cast, P.A. Maintenance Guy
- Roger Dunn … Cast, Deputy General Counsel
- Kim Roberts … Cast, Female Administrator
- Steve Behal … Cast, Pan Am Instructor
- John Ralston … Cast, Pan Am Lead Instructor
- Peter MacNeill … Cast, USAF Colonel
- Deborah Grover … Cast, Lt. Col Deskins
- Michael Rhoaders … Cast, Al Dwyer
- Dave Nichols … Cast, FBI Case Manager
- Johnny Gardhouse … Cast, Dwight
- Beatriz Yuste … Cast, Risa
- Maria Ricossa … Cast, Key Analyst
- David Boyce … Cast, Old Guard
- Araxi Arslanian … Cast, Cashier
- Olivia Palenstein … Cast, Ambassador's Secretary
- John Boylan … Cast, Josh Bolten
- Shane Daly … Cast, Secret Service Guy
- Marilo Nunez … Cast, Woman Victim
- Summer Taylor … Cast, Madison Burnett
- Osama bin Laden
- George W. Bush
- Al Gore
- for "President Bush 9/11 Address"
- Charles Gibson … Anchor
- George W. Bush … Speaker
- George Stephanopoulos … Reporter
- Saddam Hussein