Tower

'Tower' is an innovative, emotionally compelling, and critically acclaimed documentary that dramatically retells a momentous historical event in a way that truly brings it to life. Directed by Keith Maitland, this 2016 production utilizes unique storytelling techniques to explore a seminal moment in American history: the 1966 mass shooting at the University of Texas in Austin. The film does not star traditional actors; allowing Monty Muir, Violett Beane, and Cole Bee Wilson, amongst others, to provide voice and character animation for the documentary film.

The narrative centers on the cataclysmic day of August 1, 1966, a day that was transformed into a horrific reality when a sniper began firing from the 27th-floor observation deck of the University of Texas Tower. The sniper, in his 96-minute shooting spree, killed 17 people and injured over 30 others. This brutal assault was a shocking event that marked a grim milestone as it is considered the first mass school shooting in modern American history.

In a daring and unusual move, 'Tower' does not rely solely on archival footage or talking-head interviews as most historical documentaries typically do. Instead, Maitland has skillfully combined archival footage and photographs with rotoscopic animation—an animation style in which animators trace over motion picture footage, frame by frame, to produce realistic action. This form of animation proves to be a powerful vehicle for narrative in the film, creating an immersive, personal experience of the narrative and lending it a visceral, haunting quality that does not easily fade from the viewer's memory.

It is important to note that by utilizing animation as a central part of his storytelling approach, Maitland doesn't aim for spectacle but rather intimacy. The characters are vividly realized; their stories are presented with empathy and authenticity. The film unfolds from the perspectives of several eyewitnesses, including an 18-year-old pregnant woman who was shot and a newspaper reporter who risked his life to pull her to safety. It also includes the narrative of two law enforcement officers and a civilian who ultimately confronted and stopped the shooter. The use of the actual witnesses and survivors as the actors' voices adds a deeply heartfelt resonance to the narrative.

The performances by Monty Muir, Violett Beane, and Cole Bee Wilson, along with the other cast contributors, do not dramatize but narrate the harrowing incident as they lend their voices to the animation. Their performances, combined with expressive and detailed animation, capture and convey a raw and jarring experience of shock, fear, and ultimately heroism.

The overall message of 'Tower' is one of bravery and survival. It confronts the horror head-on, but more importantly, reveals acts of courage and resilience in the face of desperation. It presents humanity at its most vulnerable yet most courageous, without resorting to sensationalism or unwarranted drama.

A point to note is how 'Tower' refrains from dwelling on the shooter's biography or motivations, keeping him mostly faceless and nameless for most part of the film. Maitland's choice to do this shifts the focus from the perpetrator to the victims, the survivors, and their stories. This film is about human beings in a moment of crisis making decisions that reflect their courage and will to survive rather than the darkness that instigated the event.

At its core, 'Tower' is a brilliantly executed, profoundly generous documentary that gives voice to the victims and heroes of that fateful day in 1966. By weaving together devastating and stirring first-person accounts with striking animation, Maitland creates a poignant, powerful representation of a tragic event. 'Tower' is an unforgettable cinematic experience that's as emotional as it is enlightening—an important watch for anyone invested in understanding the human capacity for strength, grit, and unity in the face of terror.