The Sum Of All Fears

After watching a movie with your children or students, we encourage parents and teachers to look for education opportunities to teach with movies. Here are a few discussion topics that can help with lesson plans or teaching in the home.

National leaders carry incredible responsibilities when making decisions for their countries and citizens. Should one person be afforded so much power?

How did Ryan’s knowledge of the new Russian president affect his belief about the leader’s involvement in the attack? How important is trust in international relationships, especially when dealing with crisis?

Even though we live in an increasingly connected world, how do language barriers, cultural differences, personal attitudes and ideals contribute to continuing lapses in solving global problems and initiating peace?

This movie is based on a book written over a decade ago, and the movie was well into production prior to the September 11 disaster. Yet in promoting this film, do you think Hollywood is taking advantage of a tragic situation? What criteria should be used when making a movie about such events?