The Lesson of '9/11'.(The Path to 9/11 )

Broadcasting & Cable, September, 2006

By Staff Television that takes chances always gets our attention and applause; the medium is bolder and better than ever. But criticism of ABC's controversial two-part movie The Path to 9/11 , which began airing on the night of the fifth anniversary of the terror act, deserves the attention of TV filmmakers, executives and viewers.

To suggest that former or current White House officials lacked the spine or intelligence to thwart the attacks is a serious charge. But docudramas, virtually by definition, create scenes and dialogue that didn't happen as they are depicted--if at all. Re-creating an event as horrific as 9/11 and what led to it demanded a special level of scrutiny by ABC. Gov. Thomas H. Kean, chairman of the 9/11 Commission and a...

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