11 Minutes

As Episode 1 of "11 Minutes" (2022 release; 4 episodes of about 50 min each) opens, it is "October 1, 2017" and radio host Storme Warren addresses the camera: "This is about people helping people, not about the shooter." We then go to the Route 91 Harvest country music festival, with over 22,000 fans in attendance at the Las Vegas fairgrounds. Jason Aldean is the headliner and at some point, one can hear a popping noise: perhaps just fireworks?

Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary from veteran writer-producer-director Jeff Zimbalist ("Give Us This Day", "The Two Escobars"). Here he reflects on the largest mass shooting in US history, which happened 5 years ago to this very day. We get testimonials of those that were there, including concert fans, first responders, the police. Let me admit upfront that I had never seen any footage of these events, and to say that this will liken make you sick to your stomach, would be the understatement of the year. Episode 1 plays out over much (but not all just yet) of the infamous 11 minutes, during which the shooter fires round after round with his automatic weapons into the crowd. The elephant in the room (why, oh why, would anyone ever need to have automatic assault weapons in the first place) doesn't get addressed until episode 4, but when it does, it hits hard. The parents of a young woman killed at the event look into the camera and ask "how many more will have to die?" (that is: before meaningful gun restrictions are enacted). There are no words, frankly. The phenom of repeated and utterly predictable mass shootings is UNIQUE to the US in the entire world. Just think about that for a second. At the end of Episode 4 of this series, it lists the names of the 58 people that were killed 5 years ago in Vegas. Then it list the HUNDREDS and HUNDREDS of mass shooting victims in this country since Vegas 2017. How many more will have to die indeed...

"11 Minutes" was released a few days ago on Paramount+ in the lead-up to the 5th anniversary of the Vegas mass killing. I found this to be a most disturbing but heads on viewing experience. Meanwhile our so-called political leaders are more interested in taking NRA contributions than act, and hence continue to mostly ignore the issue. Shame on them all. If you have any interest in these issues, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

So yes it demonstrates how horrific this event was; awful and I'm sorry people had to go through it. It was very good at building the suspense of events leading up to the tragedy. But aren't we over thoughts and prayers and the heroism on the day? How about using this as a change of direction for gun reform in America? The only nod to this was from the parents of 1 unfortunate victim and their attempt to sue thr gun companies... but how about all those country music heroes of the stage calling for gun reform; it just needs a restriction of automatic weapons?.... some might say they don't want to upset the NRA too? (Like many politicians) this made me very sad. Why do we as humans never learn?

Very good - Very Well done, the documentary is great - the event is awful! Such an absolutely devastating American Tragedy, but again, the show is well made. At the same time - a show that retells a handful of stories from that night doesn't come close to relating the true impact of the event that actually effected more than 30,000+ people. From the concert audience, the performers, the crew, the first responders, the hospitals, families, everyone - this was absolutely mindboggling.

There are a few things to be learned from this - the total confusion as to what was actually happening, the reactions from the crowd - the first responders, etc., it was just mass confusion - and no one really knew what was happening or where the gunfire was coming from - and still to this day no one knows why the shooter did what he did - and the truth is, there are no why's to such a thing. That part doesn't matter - it's pure evil, it's pure cowardice, it's pure insanity.

It is though, a well-made documentary about a horrible event. And it's amazing how somethings aligned to bring this tragedy to an end. DeeJay Silver laments his decision to have his family there - and the danger that this had put his family in - but if not for his nanny and his small child - this tragedy could have gone on much longer. His Nanny, and child - brought this tragedy to an end.

The whole this is moving, tragic, and indomitable!

This was a well made documentary about the lives of people caught up in this horrendous crime.

Then the producers and director felt the need to jump on that liberal/democrat anti-gun train had to and use the act of one evil man to attempt to attack the rights of one evil man to attack the rights of decent, law-abiding, gun owning citizens who have nothing to do with this kind of evil and are not criminals illegally in possession of guns who are usually involved in the so called mass shootings that democrat lawbreakers are desperate to use to attack Constituional rights.

Too bad everything has to have a "message" these days.

11 Minutes is an absolute must-watch. This documentary is incredible. It tells the story of one of the hardest nights in American history, truly honoring those who wear there. I have a friend who is a survivor, and this helped me further understand her story and the story of those touched by this event. The footage is immersive and moving to say the least. You can't help but be inspired and touched by everyone's stories of bravery and resilience while simultaneously angry anyone has to experience this.

Thank you to those who put this together. It is something every person in this country should watch.