National Geographic - 9.11: One Day in America (2021)

If there was one single day to point to as a changing point in modern American culture, 9/11 would be that day. The terrorist attacks on American soil not just took a tragic number of lives but also left a scar on the American soul that still hasn't fully healed.
The moment America changes, just a few seconds after 9:03 a.m., Eastern time, on Sept. 11, 2001. Across the nation, millions of people have been staring at their televisions, watching smoke pour from the Trade Center's North Tower and listening to witnesses describe the scene. A plane, American Airlines Flight 11, had crashed into the building.
Then, as the witnesses and newscasters talk, the second passenger jet, United Flight 175, enters the right side of the frame, crosses and disappears into the Trade Center's South Tower, releasing a volcanic fireball. The mind takes a few moments to absorb what the eyes have seen. This is no accident.
In official collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Academy Award-winning filmmakers TJ Martin and Daniel Lindsay take viewers through the harrowing moments of the historic morning of September 11, 2001. Series chronicles the events of that day in 2001—at times, minute by minute—from the perspective of first responders and survivors, also looking at the heroism prompted by 9/11 and the tragic day's lasting impact.
Footage shot by firefighters responding to a routine gas leak captures the moment the world changed. Survivors from the World Trade Center and Pentagon share their experiences of that day, chronicling the shock and emotions that rippled across the world 20 years ago.
"9/11: One Day In America" was developed and executive produced by Emmy Award-winning 72 Films ("Inside North Korea's Dynasty") and Emmy and Academy Award-winning EPs Dan Lindsay and T.J. Martin ("LA 92", "Undefeated").
The filmmakers sifted through nearly 1000 hours of archival footage, some of which had never been seen before, and logged 235 hours of interviews with 54 people.

Series Director Daniel Bogado ; Produced by 72 Films for National Geographic Network

Part 1: First Response
As a hijacked plane hits the north tower, we follow the first firefighters on the scene and their race against time to rescue the civilians trapped above and witness a businessman trying to save the life of a badly injured stranger. As a second plane hits the south tower, no doubt remains: America is under attack.

Part 2: The South Tower
As an announcement tells people to remain where they are, those in the south tower watch with shock as the north tower burns after being hit by a hijacked plane. When the second plane hits, civilians in the south tower have to find a way to escape from the top floors to safety. Paramedics at street level face an onslaught of both the badly injured and casualties. They race against time to save lives.

Part 3: Collapse
After two planes hit the World Trade Center, a day of terror continues to unfold. Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon, while Flight 93 is hijacked and diverted toward Washington D.C. We follow the heroic stories of military personnel in D.C. and the United 93 passengers as they desperately struggle to save lives. Back in New York, the south tower collapses, unleashing a new wave of casualties.

Part 4: The Cloud
Survivors become separated when they are engulfed by a gigantic dust cloud after the fall of the south tower. We follow them as they wrestle with the trauma of their experiences and desperately search for missing loved ones. When the dust settles after the collapse of the north tower, we witness emotional reunions and heart-breaking losses.

Part 5: I'm Coming for You, Brother
First responders look at the vast pile of debris at ground zero and wonder how anyone could still be alive. But one group of firefighters who were inside the north tower as it collapsed managed to survive miraculously. Now they are trapped, and as they radio “mayday” for help, other firefighters must race against time to locate and rescue their “brothers” in a dangerous and unstable ocean of rubble.

Part 6: It's All Gone, Kid
In the aftermath of the towers collapsing, two former Marines and an ex-paramedic head to ground zero to search for survivors. Together they stumble upon two Port Authority police officers trapped 50-feet beneath the rubble. Putting their own lives on the line and against all odds, the volunteers manage to pull off one of the most daring and inspiring rescue stories of the day.