Cyrus Nowrasteh

When I took on the assignment to write THE PATH TO 9/11 for ABC I knew it was the most important, and the most sensitive, project that I or any writer could tackle. For that reason, and because of a deeply-felt personal responsibility toward the story and those who died — indeed toward all Americans — I knew the research had to be impeccable. The 9/11 Commission Report, of course, was central, but other books were purchased, and many more referenced along with personal interviews, articles, and an array of consultants. An entire staff of lawyers viewed and reviewed every scene, every bit of dialogue and action, both in the writing process and after it was shot. I would venture to say that no movie or miniseries has ever been so carefully vetted, and hence, as accurate in its presentation of a story that covers 8 1/2 years, numerous continents, and two- hundred-and-sixty characters. more…

WALL STREET JOURNAL op-ed – Cyrus Nowrasteh 

On September 10th and 11th, 2006, ABC aired the docudrama I wrote, The Path to 9/11, at the peak of a firestorm of political protest designed to discredit and shut down the miniseries even before it aired.  Left-leaning pundits and politicos and partisan bloggers waxed hysterical about its supposed inaccuracies and anti-Clinton bias, though the vast majority of them had not seen it – nor, they were determined, should anyone else see it either.  They failed, and the miniseries garnered nearly 28 million viewers and seven Emmy nominations. more…