After reading The Red Bandanna by Tom Rinaldi, I felt a strong urge to know more about Welles's story. The very next day I bought tickets to view Man in Red Bandana. I was 20 years old when 9/11 happened and I have not seen footage of the actual day since the first day when I watched the 2nd tower fall on TV. Re-watching the footage in the documentary brought me back to that time when my innocence of youth was forever changed.
The documentary includes other survivors accounts of that day in the South Tower and how a man named Welles Crowther risked his own life to save others. He was only 24 years old with a life ahead of him and it pains me that he, along with the others who lost their lives that day, will never get another day. I am grateful that his documentary was made. It will never bring Welles' or the others back, but it gave the Crowther's a special gift- their son will be a legacy for years to come. I know that does not make it any easier, but I hope they found peace in knowing they raised a magnificent, selfless man.
Man in Red Bandana
2017
Biography / Documentary / History
Man in Red Bandana
2017
Biography / Documentary / History
Keywords: new york cityherofaithfolklore9/11
Plot summary
On 9/11, American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower between the 93rd and 98th floors ... 1,355 people died at or above the crash site. No one survived. United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower 17 minutes later between floors 77 to 85 killing 599 people. Miraculously, 18 occupants of the South Tower at or above the crash site crossed the line of death and made it to safety below. This is the story of the one man, Welles Remy Crowther, responsible for saving many of these 18 survivors. Welles was a volunteer fireman as a high school student. He then attended Boston College and played lacrosse. After he graduated, he took a job at Sandler O'Neil & Partners, a Wall Street firm. He worked on the 104th floor of the South Tower. Welles was a fun-loving person who enjoyed giving more than receiving. Viewers will instantly like him. Welles' identity became known because his survivors described being saved by a man wearing a red bandana in a May 2002 New York Times Article. His mother, Alison Crowther, knew that this had to be her son. Welles always carried a red bandana. Two survivors (both of which were badly injured) positively ID'd Welles from photos and, then, met with the Crowthers. At this meeting, they were able to piece together the last hour of his life (his finest hour). She learned that Welles had found the one viable escape route and carried a woman on his shoulder from the 78th to the 61st floor while leading a group of others. Remarkably, he then went back up 17 flights to lead down yet another group. He was last seen going back up again. Welles went up when others went down. His body was recovered in March 2002. He had made it down to the lobby of the South Tower where he stayed to continue to help. Those who have heard the story have been inspired by Welles and have honored him in many ways. Some examples are New York City making him the first and only honorary fireman. Boston College holding an annual 5K red bandana run and skier Tyler Jewell (Welles' college friend) wearing a red bandana in his honor in the Olympics. Fascinatingly, people who never met Welles and have no connection to him have honored him and the red bandana in the form of poems, songs, murals, photographs, books, drawings and sermons. Mothers have even named their boys Welles after him. The film will contain these items leading to an inspiring and uplifting ending.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
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720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
A hero, A legacy
Best Ending Of Any Documentary
The story of Welles Crowther is simply amazing. Welles saved, at least, 10 people in the upper reaches of the South Tower on 9/11. However, no one knew what happened to him until 8 months later. Welles' mom was reading the NY Times and read about a man wearing a red bandanna who saved people. She knew instantly that this was her son. The film shows all the heroic actions that Welles displayed that day and then shows how he has assumed a folklore status throughout the country. The final ending just blew me away!
True American Hero
This is such an inspiring documentary and a must watch for all Americans. My husband was a marine and was deployed often after 9/11. I wanted to find a story for my sons that focused on the heroism, rather than the terrorism. This documentary helps all of us to remember the pure good in our fellow man and how we should strive to live up to the character of Welles every day.