The Anthrax Attacks: In the Shadow of 9/11

TV-MA

2022

1h 35m

Documentary

List

89%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

48%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

The Anthrax Attacks tells the story of the 2001 anthrax attacks on the United States and one of the largest and most complex FBI investigations in the history of law enforcement. Five Americans were killed and at least 17 fell ill in what became one of the worst biological attacks in U.S. history, which followed one week after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Unfolding across America and beyond, it’s an incredible scientific tale of deadly poison, obsession, and paranoia, all told against the backdrop of the war on terror. Using a combination of interviews and scripted reenactments based on emails and FBI field notes, the documentary feature also shares shocking and heartbreaking stories from investigators, survivors and the families of those who were infected.

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patrick f

This documentary does a decent job capturing the chaos and uncertainty of the weeks after 9/11 when America was besieged by Anthrax-laced mailings. These mailings resulted in only five deaths, but caused an untold level of fear. The film does a good job overviewing the lengthy and expensive FBI investigation into the case. Having lived through that era as a teenager it was interesting to watch this film as a piece of history now that we are over 20 years removed from the attacks. From the science of the pure anthrax spores to the cryptic notes included with the anthrax to the red herrings and missteps along the way, the film manages to cover an enormous amount of information in less than two hours. The film is a mix of news reel footage, interviews with those involved in the case, and re-enactments of key interactions with the main suspect. Clark Gregg of Marvel fame portrays Dr. Bruce Ivins who after a years long investigation was identified by the FBI as the perpetrator. Gregg gave a good performance. I don't normally like re-enactments in documentaries, but these scenes were written based directly on FBI interview notes of their conversations with Ivins as well as Ivins' own emails and writings. This gave the re-enactments a grounded and real feel. Overall this is an informative and easy to digest documentary. However, even after watching it, the viewer may feel less than convinced that the FBI got there man.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Jason E

Learned so many things about the attacks and investigation that I either never heard before or had simply forgotten. Gregg gives an outstanding performance as the scientist most believed by authorities to have been the #1 suspect; something I was not expecting in a documentary. Also shed a light on the PO workers who got no relief after at least 2 died and many were slickened simply by doing their jobs.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/07/22

Full Review

cconnelly1

It is telegraphed so early on in this documentary, who the perpetrator was, that there's a total lack of tension and suspense. The use of actors to portray just didn't go well with the material. And the main actor was not believable, cartoonist portrayal.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/02/22

Full Review

dan r

In the darkest times of American history the country was under another threat. This is documented in ‘The Anthrax Attacks: In the Shadow of 9/11.' SYNOPSIS: ‘Days after 9/11, letters containing fatal anthrax spores spark panic in the United States, prompting an FBI investigation.' This documentary focuses on the abject terror and paranoia that was rife straight after the 9/11 attacks and now, 21 years later, we watch this and wonder how effectively the anthrax crisis was handled. In honesty it wasn't handled very well. It's in depth and detailed. Even educational at times. However, the creative choice to combine traditional non fiction storytelling with recreations of events with a famous actor just doesn't work. As soon as I saw and heard Clark Gregg (Agents of Shield, Avengers) I was taken totally out of this story. The tension which had been built up was gone. It is still a worthwhile watch. 6/10

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Dan Krauss

Director

Clark Gregg

Dr. Bruce Ivins

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Chris Vognar

San Francisco Chronicle

“The Anthrax Attacks” conjures the terror and paranoia afresh and, with the hindsight of 21 years, asks the viewer to consider how effectively the crisis was handled.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 16, 2022

Full Review

Jack Seale

Guardian

By focusing on the investigation itself, The Anthrax Attacks throws up plenty of rage-worthy injustices and tantalising mysteries.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 12, 2022

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Noel Murray

Los Angeles Times

The film is a unique kind of procedural, with fascinating information about how the FBI cracks cases, combined with an admission that some crimes may never be explained.

Sep 9, 2022

Full Review

Wade Major

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

Very solid and well-made. My only complaint is that, if you lived through it, it doesn't really break any new ground.

Sep 19, 2022

Full Review

Lael Loewenstein

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

It's a pretty well done documentary in spite of the fact that it uses a great deal of reenactments, which I don't usually care for.

Sep 19, 2022

Full Review

Sabrina McFarland

Common Sense Media

Docu details historic bioterror assault; language; violence.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 17, 2022

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Synopsis

The Anthrax Attacks tells the story of the 2001 anthrax attacks on the United States and one of the largest and most complex FBI investigations in the history of law enforcement. Five Americans were killed and at least 17 fell ill in what became one of the worst biological attacks in U.S. history, which followed one week after the September 11 terrorist attacks. Unfolding across America and beyond, it’s an incredible scientific tale of deadly poison, obsession, and paranoia, all told against the backdrop of the war on terror. Using a combination of interviews and scripted reenactments based on emails and FBI field notes, the documentary feature also shares shocking and heartbreaking stories from investigators, survivors and the families of those who were infected.

Director: Dan Krauss
Rating: TV-MA
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 8, 2022
Runtime: 1h 35m