Path to Paradise: The Untold Story of the World Trade Center Bombing (1997 TV Movie) User Reviews

Absolutely Shocking. Even more so than when I first saw it

[Squirrel-5 · 7/10 · 29 October 2001]

I first saw this movie about 3 years ago. I was shocked at how stupid the FBI was not to prevent such a tragedy. It could have been easily prevented. This movie was just unbelievable.

Now seeing it after September 11th, I am appalled and can say that this could have been prevented more easily that most people would want to know.

This film is 100% true

In the final scene of the film, when the mastermind of the 1st attack is being taken to prison by helicopter and flies over the towers, he makes a spine chilling remark, that was laughed at when he said it. "Next time we'll bring them *BOTH* down." This was actually said by Ramzi Yousef after his arrest.

This movie reveals the shocking truth about how the first attacks were carried out right under the noses of the FBI and NYPD. It shows how the 1st and 4th Amendments are partially to blame for the attacks.

I watch this movie now and know that both attacks could have been prevented.

Those Who Can Not Learn From The Past Are Doomed To Relive It

[timdalton007 · 8/10 · 29 May 2009]

Having finally been able to get the DVD of this 1997 HBO film, is at down to watch it. By the time I finished it the old saying "those who can not learn from the past are doomed to relive it" was echoing in the mind. First shown four years after the first bombing of the twin towers (and four years before the events of 9/11) Path To Paradise reveals the series of close encounters, blunders and official in-decisions that led to the first bombing of the twin towers and the lessons we should have learned from them.

Path To Paradise features a nice cast of believable actors. Peter Gallagher and Marcia Gay Harden lead the cast as FBI agents John Anticev and Nancy Floyd who face not only the threats of terrorism but the lack of official interest from their superiors along with their NYPD counterpart Lou Napoli (Paul Guilfoyle). Art Malik, Andreas Katsulas, Shaun Toub and Tony Gillan are among those who plan and carry out the attack all of whom play their roles not as potential clichés but as real living people and make the film all the better for it. Of special mention is Ned Eisenberg as Emad Salem the man whom, if it had not been for skeptical FBI officials, could have potentially informed on the plot.

The film is also well produced. Despite being made for cable this film doesn't feel like a low-budget film at all with its production values particularly in its sets and New York City locations. The film's fascinating cinematography gives the film an almost documentary style at times. When all of these elements are combined with the script it all helps to give the film a sense of reality which makes the events taking place all the more disturbing.

The most disturbing thing about he film is its script. The events of the film are true (minus some dramatic license which is always necessary) and in hindsight are made even more shocking then they must have been when the film was first shown twelve years ago. The film reveals just how a group of men were able to smuggle a bomb into the World Trade Center. They did so thanks to the lack of Arabic translators, government agencies failing to pass information to each other, the FBI ignoring leads from a source and police departments being unable to pick up on clues. Worse then investigators inabilities to connect dots is the fact that many of these same things not only allowed the 9.11 attacks to take place but in some cases (such as the lack of translators) are issues that continue even today. Even more chilling is the ending which really did happen and looks all too prophetic today.

Path To Paradise is a film that should be essential viewing today. The film is not only well acted and produced but teaches us a lesson we should have learned sooner. The lesson of the film? That those who can not learn from the past are doomed to relive it. If you can find this film then watch it and learn from it.

FBI investigation of WTC bombing

[goya-4 · 7/10 · 29 May 2001]

Based on the true story of the FBIs hunt for those who were responsible for the bombing of the World Trade Center Building. A very good film that delves into the FBIs use of informants and how, possibly, the tragedy could have been avoided 7 of 10

What can you say about this movie, in light of what happened since

[sol-kay · 10/10 · 23 September 2003]

We'll never see this movie broadcast by HBO in the near future if at all. If anyone somehow comes across it in a video store just grab it before someone else does, because I doubt if it ever will be re-released again.

An unbelievable and timely movie about the first attack on the World Trade Center on February 26, 1993 and how the government agencies who's job it is to identify and stop terrorists from doing harm and damage to American citizens and American property completely fell down on the job and unwittingly allowed it to happen.

Bone chilling since we all know now that the terrorists who were apprehended at the end of the movie weren't going to be the end of our nightmare that resurfaced on September 11, 2001.

The film brought out everything that went wrong back in 1992-93 that allowed that first tragedy at the WTC to happen. Still it took another eight years to realize that we should have learned from that first WTC attack to be more vigilant and ready to prevent the second and far more devastating assault on the World Trade Center to happen. I found this movie harder to watch after the events of 9/11 then the video of the attacks of 9/11 themselves.

All I can say about this film is don't watch it alone. The very ending itself is so powerful as well as prophetic that it would leave you in a state of shock in knowing what we know today and possibly in need to have someone who's with you, but not watching the movie, to call for medical attention.

If viewed after Sept. 11, will send shivers down the spine.

[pfator · 13 December 2001]

Path To Paradise, an HBO original movie, tells the story of the events leading up to the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City. The film itself is interesting, decent performances and style. However the important draw of this film is it's prophetic content. Watched before Sept. 11th and the movie is just an interesting look at the bombing and the terrorists behind it. Watched after Sept. 11th and you'll barely be able to keep your eyes on the screen. The very last line of Path To Paradise will quite possibly keep you up at night for a long time to come.

A Scary Look At The 1993 WTC Bombing That Should Have Been Taken More Seriously

[Michael-70 · 9/10 · 22 September 2007]

This film is bone chilling in a way that is hard to describe. While it is fairly accurate in its description of the events leading up to and the subsequent investigation regarding the first attempt to destroy the World Trade Center in 1993, seen now post 9/11, it is almost unbearable.

It would be a mistake to call this film prophetic, but it certainly makes the common playground wisdom of "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me" come alive.

Our government learned nothing from the 1993 attempt on the World Trade Center and subsequent readings of the 9/11 Report show that many of the mistakes that led to the bombing in 1993 were repeated.

Some people have criticized the First and Fourth Amendments of the US Constitution as being partly responsible for the Islamic terrorists being able to carry out their evil plans, but that is wrong headed in every possible way.

Surely the people making this argument are not supporting a ban on Free Speech, a free press or freedom of religion? I certainly hope they are not supporting our government officials being able to break into any person's home or office to search without cause or without a warrant.

The fact is, the FBI, the INS and even the local police could have gotten warrants based on the information they had in their possession, but they chose not to for a variety of reasons. Besides, no matter how distasteful or ignorant it is, it is not illegal to speak badly about America or its leaders. Likewise, it is not illegal to either own guns or to pray toward Mecca.

Consider this, until Lee Harvey Oswald actually fired his rifle at President John Kennedy, he wasn't really breaking any laws. Living in a free society has its drawbacks.

Still, Path To Paradise is a must see film that I am afraid will never be seen by that many people. As far as I know, it is not on DVD and 2007 is its tenth anniversary and there are no known revivals of it.

I'm not really surprised, people don't like to document their failures and this film certainly shows that the various agencies that were supposed to protect us did not do their jobs right and for the pettiest of reasons, like jurisdictional squabbles and a refusal to share information.

This is a shame as Path To Paradise is well done and gripping and as many have stated before, the final scene where Ramzi Yousef (played by Art Malik), the bomber who built the truck bomb that was used in the first attempt at destroying the two towers is flying past the World Trade Center after his capture and extradition simply says "Next time we will bring them both down", is a film moment that froze me in place for several minutes.

Prophetic in the initial viewing - now history

[RocketInNYC · 10/10 · 3 October 2002]

I watched the premiere of "Path to Paradise" way back and was stunned by it, dramatic license and all. I lived in NYC (Brooklyn) a few years and kept in mind. Today, given the links to groups such as Al-Queda, Hamas, and the Islamic Jihad, I see it as a warning not recognized by our government. For that I place the blame on our bureaucracy and leaders. 9.11.01 was a new tactic to behead two of our branches of gov't and there is no excuse for our gov't to prevent it, period. "Path to Paradise" was but a dramatic view of the '93 preview, and no one cared. Now, nearly 3,000 deaths later, and years behind, we struggle to find an answer that is decades to resolve.

Disturbing

[SSmith4540 · 17 August 2004]

This film is an excellent dramatization of the blunders of the FBI and the resolve of Islamic Terrorists. It puts a much needed face on terrorism right on American soil.

My father suggested that I view the film as he has had it in his possession for SEVEN years. I had previously heard of the film. Being an instructor of American History I was shocked that not only did the FBI miss the clues THEN, but that they failed to do so prior to 9-11. How could any agency not view this film and learn from it.

I recommend that ALL Americans watch this film in order to comprehend the resolve of our enemies. Also, the last scene is hauntingly accurate and worth the price of admission.

Stuart Smith Williamsburg, VA

Chilling and Prophetic...

[luigilouissaint · 8/10 · 11 September 2010]

2 days before 9/11, I watched this movie late at night...seeing that I am a night owl, I was wandering through the channels before landing on HBO...being from and still having family in Brooklyn, this movie held my utmost attention, as did the bombing back in 1993. I remember thinking to my self that there was NO WAY that the government could have been that inept in NOT being able to see all the warning signs that led up to the 1st bombing...2 days later as I was standing in the Home theater department of the Best Buy I was working at...watching the 1st tower fall...then the second, a cold sweat ran through me as the last line of the movie sounded through my mind...EVERY one needs to see this movie!

Very Good

[dickinsonjason-34081 · 10/10 · 8 December 2020]

This Was A Very Good Movie The Story Was Well Done I Enjoyed It

It came true again...

[H5O · 28 September 2001]

I have seen this on HBO several times, and no one would expect that the plot wasn't over. The 1993 attempt might have failed, and no one would expect the REAL disaster several years later.

REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11, 2001!!! WE MUST REBUILD AND RECOVER.

Interesting but flawed TV movie

[Gregster-5 · 2 August 2001]

Generally quite interesting and not badly acted but the general tone appears (to me at least) to be a little xenophobic and anti-muslim. Admitedlty, given the subject matter it's kind of hard to avoid this, but a better written script would have done so.