Educational Media Reviews Online

A man is measured not by his longevity but by his positive impact on the world. That is one of the central messages of the film Man in Red Bandana. The documentary tells the story of one of the victims of September 11th, Welles Remy Crowther. Welles was a 24 year old working on the 104th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center on that fateful day. He was admired by many, but he grew up admiring two men himself, his fire station lieutenant and his father. He trained to be a fire fighter with the former, and always carried a red bandana as a way to emulate the latter.

The bandana he carried that day, like all days, would become recognized around the country and the world as a symbol of his heroism. Welles, thanks to his fire fighter training, helped at least 10 people escape from the 78th floor of the South Tower – directly in the zone of where the second plane hit.

The film is a journey of the day itself, from news reports to how his parents and friends saw the events unfold from their homes and jobs. It further explores how his parents eventually pieced together Welles’ final day, especially his final hour – his finest hour on earth, the film declares. The film pieces together old and new interviews with the survivors of the South Tower, reliving the moments of the day, as well as how the man in the red bandana eventually led them to their freedom.

Many films exist regarding the events from September 11, 2001, told from just as many points of view. Man in Red Bandana adds to the collection of uplifting and inspiring stories that emanated from terror and tragedy by focusing in on one person’s incredible heroics. As Welles’ mother, Alison Crowther, states at one point, the stories of humans looking out for one another are what should ultimately be remembered when thinking of September 11th.

This film is highly recommended and would be beneficial for high school, college, or general adult audiences. It could also be used in whole or in part for educational purposes. Welles’ story, in varying degrees of detail, has already been used in classrooms around the country to teach children about courage, leadership, and forgiveness. It should be noted, however, like most films about September 11th, graphic photographs and videos from the day are included and could be upsetting to some.