World Trade Center

Spiritually Speaking in the Movies: “World Trade Center.” PG-13, 2h9m, 2006. Nicholas Cage, Michael Pena. Quote: “We were prepared for everything, but not this. Not something this size.” - Sargent John McLoughlin.

Should you see it? Absolutely, Yes. In the middle of one of the most traumatic events in American history, we see vital faith in action in more ways than one. It comes via a screenplay by five people, four who were on the scene that day and lived the events revealed. We see real people in a real place we are all familiar with.

Watch “World Trade Center” and be touched by an angel — or God — or both.

The Quick Review

Spiritually Speaking, If you had been waiting for Hollywood to release a major motion picture with excellent production values that includes more than a cursory look at faith, “World Trade Center,” WTC, is that movie.

You may have missed it when it was released in 2006, for a number of reasons. The nation was still in shock, I think, over the trauma of being attacked by foreign entities on American soil. Who would want to pay to experience that trauma once again?

And notably, the spiritual element within the film did not seem to make it to mass marketing. Without the faith framework, it seems predictable what actors might say in a Hollywood tale: existential threats, patriotism and/or vengeance. Much of that seems near-empty hyperbole playing for ticket sales. As a result, I wouldn’t — and didn’t — bite at “World Trade Center” when it was released.

Except “World Trade Center” is not about any of those things. It’s about something deeper, kinder, noble and familiar to many of us; sacrifice in the face of danger.

Five men, first responders, are trapped beneath the rubble of Tower One when it suddenly comes down on them. The story is about them, their families, their courage and a miracle.

And where does the courage come from? The real people portrayed in the film do it from a firm conviction of trust in God. This is shown unapologetically. A main character, Sargent John McLoughlin (Cage) says it is their duty and sacred honor to help people “simply because it’s the right thing to do.”

There is an opportunity for multiple revelations watching World Trade Center such as; life is precious and fleeting: regrets or mistakes should be addressed or taken care of immediately; we need each other, and more. There are too many direct faith indicators included to list here.

This is handled with restraint and remarkable good taste. The actors are superlative. The direction, the editing, the reenactment of first responders are all very believable.

I predict self-promises will be made by viewers, and self-questions asked; I should do better; why do I get angry at others?; am I a thankful person on a daily basis for every breath I take? And so on.

There is also the realization there is still time to do the things that, so to speak, should be done before the Tower collapses upon us one day, unexpectedly, without warning.

People often, when inspired, resolve to “do it now,” — whatever is seen as necessary. The challenge will be that once the curtain comes down and the lights come on, will we yet be inspired to follow through?

I certainly hope so.

A Deeper Dive into “World Trade Center” (WTC)

On a routine morning, on a routine day, Tuesday, September 11, 2001, Sargent John McLoughlin (Sarge), is handing out the day’s assignments to young officers when suddenly the unexpected occurs — something awful happened downtown concerning the World Trade Center. No one really has anything but fragmented information about it, but every available man is re-assigned to address the situation.

As viewers, we all know what actually happened and what these officers are about to encounter. It’s a curious thing to hear their speculations and observations as they respond. Truly, they had no idea at all of the hell they are headed for.

At this point in the film, our tension, as viewers, escalates. It’s easy to conjecture what we are about to see; planes flying into buildings, spectacular explosions, multiple persons jumping to their deaths, mass hysteria.

What we see instead are the officers who are awe-struck by the scope of a fire and dazed, disbelieving people who need their help. They are ready to go, … yes, with trepidation and caution, but without hesitation. Fear isn’t abnormal. It’s the response to it that counts.

Nobody quits in “World Trade Center.” Everybody fights.

Sarge, is a 21-year veteran who was at the 1991 WTC car bombing. He knows his way around the buildings. The Lieutenant says “Sarge is the best man” for the job.

“We have to evacuate the towers,” Sarge tells a group of young officers watching the burning buildings. “Whose coming? Step forward.” After a moment or two, five young officers make their way up front.

Volunteer Willy Jimeno says to Sarge, “Dom, Antonio, Chris, me and Alvarez, (all real figures in the story) we figured we might as well follow the best going in.”

Without understanding what really caused the disaster, the men gear up and go into Tower One, already burning for over an hour. People are still being evacuated. A group of tired firemen are leaving Tower One for Tower Two and pass McLoughlin and his team.

“Where are you guys going, Sarge asks?

“It took us an hour to get to (floor) 30 in One ,” the exhausted leader says, without complaining or stopping. “Now they want us in Tower Two.”

“Why, what happened in Two?” Sarge asks, still not knowing.

“I don’t know,” the fireman tiredly replies, as he walks away with his team, “You guys be careful, okay?,” Sarge calls after him.

“Yeah, stay safe,” the other calls back, revealing the fellowship of first responders, a simple scene loaded with emotional impact

The camera lingers on the firefighters for a moment, and almost in slow motion we see these men as they walk into eternity.

Loud explosions begin to rattle the building far above them.“Don’t think,” Sarge tells his team. “Stay focused. Move forward.” A minute later, the tower comes down.

Much of the movie then centers on the visceral reactions at home with the wives, kids and extended families, and in the rubble where McLoughlin is trapped with his team. The odds are against them that they will be found amidst the chaos. The story lines wisely cut between several sites, keeping us from emotional overload with any one crisis.

Then, quite unexpectedly, another, crucial element is introduced. We meet Marine Staff Sargent Dave Karnes far away in a quiet, peaceful empty church, sitting in a pew, regarding a huge cross over the altar. The hymn placard before him reads, “Pentecost.” A close-up of a Bible, open to the Revelation of John, is shown.

He seems intent, as if he is getting direction from God Himself. His pastor comes and sits with him. Karnes explains this is his moment of destiny and he knows it.

“I”m a Marine for a reason,” he says. “I’m supposed to help.”

In any other film, this mystery man would be a fictional Hollywood character, too good to be true. But we find later that Karnes survived to serve two tours in Iraq. He is, significantly, a real person, not a “based on” conglomeration of characters so often seen in films.

Going on nothing but a belief that God is directing him, he plays such a significant role in the story, that there would be no “World Trade Center” film without him. I can’t reveal what happens without being a spoiler. You will have to see it to believe it. You may not believe it anyway. It’s that kind of story.

But many will see, identify with and believe, just as Karnes did. It may be one of the most faith-affirming set of scenes in movies. The visuals of some rescue are more like a joyful rising from the dead or the tearful gratitude of personal resurrection. A trapped man has a dream of Jesus. Almost anyone could embrace that.

It’s important to remember that four of the five writers of “World Trade Center” were present that day, who saw, heard and wrote it themselves. Some Web sites inaccurately list only one writer for WTC.

The four writers sometimes left out, are what historians call “primary sources.”

It’s unusual for such sources to be writers in movies. It is unusual, still, the care and respect the film’s director, Oliver Stone (Platoon, JFK) unexpectedly takes in accurately recounting the story’s spiritual aspects. Perhaps the scope of the tragedy demanded this deep, respectful response and the movie makers knew it.

These scenes open a window for us on the faith of millions of American believers we rarely see in wide-release films, as Karnes did. Easily making his way through obstacles at Ground Zero focused and calm, he will not be dissuaded from his purpose. Late at night on the piles of rubble, where he is not allowed to go, me tells an EMT helping him, “If anyone says, ‘stop’ we don’t. There’s no going back now.”

The film seems to shout that one day, your life — or the lives of others — may depend on just how well you follow where God is leading. I consider this inclusion of the story to be a kind of miracle in and of itself.

Isn’t it time we all had a bit of a miracle happening in our lives today? Watch “World Trade Center” this 25th Anniversary of 911, September 11, 2026, and see if you agree.

Epilogue : The film does not forget all the first responders who died that day. Their names are listed at the end — 343 firefighters, and 84 Port Authority workers 37 of whom were police. A wall of “The Missing” is shown amongst the survivors.

At the time the film was made, it was believed 2,749 people died at the World Trade Center. Today, at the 25th anniversary of 911, more were added who died as a result of complications.

A Fire Battalion Commander says to tearful men of those lost under his leadership, “May God Bless their souls.” Yes, indeed.