The Anthrax Attacks: In the Shadow of 9/11
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The Anthrax Attacks: In the Shadow of 9/11
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Anthrax Attacks: In the Shadow of 9/11 is a documentary about the criminal investigation of the historic biochemical assault on the United States in 2001. References and images include footage from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, letters containing anthrax and messages of hate, people feeling vulnerable due to attacks, death, suicide, murder, the drug Cipro to treat anthrax exposure, allegations of heavy smoking and alcohol use, sleep medications, vaccine needle injections, and obsessive behavior. Swear words include "bastards," "f--k," "f---ing" and "s--t." Slur words include "crazy," "dopey," and "jerk." Featured positive messages are that intolerance is unacceptable and that people should help others in a crisis.
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What's the Story?
In THE ANTHRAX ATTACKS: IN THE SHADOW OF 9/11, law enforcement officials and others join forces to find the source behind the dissemination of anthrax among the American population shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The spore-producing bacterium caused illness and the deaths of five people.
Is It Any Good?
Director and Oscar nominee Dan Krauss (The Kill Team) shares a precise perspective in an essential film about one of America's darkest chapters. The Anthrax Attacks: In the Shadow of 9/11 revisits the historic incident and relies on firsthand interviews that include survivors and family members, reenactments based on official government files, and archival news footage and photos.
On October 4, 2001, and just three weeks after the September 11 U.S. terrorist attacks, anthrax claims its first fatality. "We had someone who had died from anthrax poisoning," recalls FBI agent Brad Garrett. "The question is, how did it get there?" The agency is assigned to solve the case, which reportedly becomes the most expensive one ever carried out by the team. It costs more than $10 million dollars, involves 9,000-plus interviews and 6,000 issued grand jury subpoenas, and reveals surprising results that viewers may find questionable today.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the teamwork of the people in The Anthrax Attacks: In the Shadow of 9/11. How do they also demonstrate communication and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?
During the anthrax exposure in the Washington, D.C., area, there are allegations of disparities in the treatment of the contagion between Congress members and postal service employees. What may have been the possible reasons behind this?
What do you think of the legal outcomes of the investigation? Was justice served in this case? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: September 8, 2022
- Cast: Clark Gregg, Paul Keim, Terrell Worrell
- Director: Dan Krauss
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: STEM, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, History
- Character Strengths: Communication, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 95 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: September 30, 2022
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