It's been nearly four years since the collapse of the Twin Towers, the attack on the Pentagon and the crash landing in a western Pennsylvania field that marked September 11, 2001 as one of the darkest days in American history. As the nation reeled from these then-unexplained acts of violence against our country, efforts were made to again take up the day-to-day existence that had been so thoroughly rocked that Tuesday morning. The deeply poignant and moving documentary, Nine Innings From Ground Zero examines the miraculous post-season ride that the New York Yankees embarked upon in light of a city healing and rebuilding itself.

Narrated by Liev Schrieber and featuring interviews from many of the players in that fall's World Series, former mayor Rudolph Giuliani and family members of 9/11 victims, the film chronicles the uncertain period following the attacks when the New York Yankees improbably came back not once, but three times to battle it out with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the world championship of baseball in 2001.

Despite already knowing the series' outcome, it's impossible not to be caught up in the passion and depths of emotion displayed by the New Yorkers cheering, against all odds, for their hometown boys to pull one out and take home the championship. I found myself choked up more than once watching these survivors and family members express just how much a simple phone call or visit from a ballplayer lifted their spirits and made it possible to think about getting on with their lives and move forward.

A dramatic, potent examination of how even the most seemingly insignificant events or things can have an impact, Nine Innings From Ground Zero is a moving portrait of sports serving as a city's catharsis in dire and difficult times.

The Video:

Nine Innings From Ground Zero is offered in 1.33 fullscreen and looks solid. Taken from various sources, including TV and camcorder footage, there are few inherent flaws in the source material but otherwise, the filmed portions look very smooth and free from any noticeable defects.

Presented in Dolby 2.0 stereo,Nine Innings From Ground Zero offers clean, clear dialogue throughout. The majority of the film deals with TV broadcasts and talking head interviews and all are presented free of distortion.

There isn't a single extra included on Nine Innings From Ground Zero.

An at times overwhelmingly emotional and draining experience, Nine Innings From Ground Zero is nevertheless a film that will serve not only as a important historical document but will restore anyone's faith in the game of baseball who may find it shaken in these days of sky-high salaries and rampant rumors about steroids. Recommended.