Homeland Security (film)

Homeland Security

Company type	TV film
Industry	Entertainment
Founded	2004
Headquarters	Los Angeles , United States
Key people	Daniel Sackheim (director), Christopher Crowe (writer), Scott Glenn (actor), Tom Skerritt (actor)
Products	Television film
Parent	NBC

Homeland Security is a 2004 American TV film drama that dramatizes the establishment of the United States Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Directed by Daniel Sackheim and penned by Christopher Crowe, the production features performances by Scott Glenn and Tom Skerritt. Originally developed by NBC as a pilot for a potential series that was ultimately not commissioned, it was broadcast as a standalone movie on April 11, 2004.

Plot

Following the events of 9/11, retired Admiral Theodore McKee is brought back to serve within the newly created Office of Homeland Security (OHS), led by Tom Ridge. His mission involves structuring the agency to prevent future terrorist threats. McKee recruits NSA operative Sol Binder, who pushes for integrating intelligence from all U.S. law enforcement entities into the OHS to address longstanding inter-agency competition.

Binder’s earlier intelligence concerning an attack connected to the numbers Nine and Eleven suggests that such unified collaboration might have prevented the 9/11 tragedy. The narrative centers on forming the OHS, which subsequently evolves into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following Congressional endorsement.

Additional storylines cover the United States invasion of Afghanistan, deployment of precision-guided weapons such as GPS-enabled JDAMs, customs officers intercepting explosives at the Canada–United States border, and operations aimed at locating Osama bin Laden and shutting down Al'Qaeda training facilities.

Admiral McKee’s daughter, Melissa, narrowly avoids boarding United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11. After learning about the hijacking and crash, she reaches out to her family. Later, her flight is escorted by military jets amid orders to shoot down unresponsive aircraft, nearly resulting in a catastrophic error before safely landing at Chicago’s O'Hare Airport. Melissa’s ordeal highlights the intense security atmosphere prevalent that day.

Production

The pilot received approval from NBC in January 2003, with principal photography taking place in Los Angeles.

Reception

The film did not garner favorable reviews and was discontinued prior to development into a full television series. Critics characterized it as a dull and shallow depiction of the events surrounding 9/11, despite featuring acclaimed actors such as Tom Skerritt and Scott Glenn.

Home release

Region 1	Region 2
August 23, 2005	Not available

See also

• September 11, 2001 attacks
• Flight 93 (TV film)
• United 93 (film)
• World Trade Center (film)