Posted on 03/13/2019 7:18:05 PM PDT by LS
So far this year, if there is one move you should see it's a space movie. No, not "Captain Marvel."
It's "Apollo 11," and believe it or not, it's by (gulp) CNN. That's right. Well done, CNN.
Using often the highest quality documentary footage from NASA's moon mission, this film follows the spacecraft from its slow slothlike transit to the launch pad to the three Apollo astronauts climbing aboard to the army of engineers, scientists, and technicians in both Florida and in Houston as Apollo 11 makes its epic voyage.
With the exception of a very few well-placed simple animations depicting, for example, the docking of the Eagle and the Columbia, or trajectories, virtually all the other footage is real-life shots taken aboard the spacecraft, on the moon, and in the control center.
Even though you know the outcome, you are gripped by whether or not the rockets will get Apollo 11 aloft; whether the vessels will separate, then dock safely, and even whether the Eagle can rise from the surface of the moon. At the same time, you are overwhelmed that WE, as Americans---nobody else---did this. While the plaque says men of earth, it really should have said, "Men of the United States of America, for the benefit of all earth . . ." Half the time you don't know whether to cry or cheer.
But when the Apollo safely comes down in the Pacific, the American flags come out all over the Houston control center. There is not the slightest thought by anyone that India, or China, or Germany had any role in this.
The musical score is perfect, building tension when sometimes you're only watching a rocket fly. There are humorous moments too, and I won't give them away. The film ends with JFK's speech about the dangers yet the necessity of exploring space and going to the moon.
Having already christened a Space Force, I would love very much for President Trump to announce a goal of a manned flight to Mars that would arrive long after he is out of office. It is that kind of vision that made us the only peoples to set foot on the moon.
Saw this last Sunday at the local theater. I think the theater was more crowded than for “Captain You Look Mahvelous”, but, since I didn’t see the latter movie, I can’t be sure. I was quite pleased to see people of all ages in the audience, from those of us old enough to have seen it live, to under-10 children.
As to the movie, what can I say? Unless you think that the moon landing was faked but the Death Star is real, do not miss it. Using real footage from various sources, not even CNN could mess this one up. I had two minor nits, however.
1) The musical score, excellent as it was, tended to be too loud during some of the communications portions, so it was difficult to hear what Houston and the Apollo 11 crew were saying.
2) Although it avoided the usual banal announcer chatter, there were a few critical points in the flight that could have used a little explanation. To wit, much of the lunar landing sequence could have used some voice-over. For one, they came dangerously close to running out of fuel (15 seconds). What would have happened if they did run out, and why was the fuel so low?
So, fellow FReepers, go see it ASAP, as I don’t think it will be in theaters much longer. Even those of you who never go to the theaters should bury the hatchet on this one. You won’t be disappointed, especially if you’re a space geek like I am.
“You won’t be disappointed, especially if you’re a space geek like I am.”
Back in 1956 I worked with a girl who told us she just broke up with her boyfriend.
When we asked her why she said,”Because he’s nuts,all he does is talk about men going to the moon.”.
An early space geek,I guess. :-)
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I saw this last weekend.
It is the best movie I have seen in a long, long time.
It is amazing how much film I have never seen. It is really a completely novel presentation of the entire enterprise. The film looks great, like it was shot yesterday.
Really extraordinary.
Did they include the lightning strike just after launch?
7
NASA just announced they plan to go back to the moon by 2028. 9 years from now.
Kennedy did it in 6, with a computer less powerful than a digital watch.
Best movie I have seen in the last year.
Wow! It was absolutely riveting and nail-biting. I didn’t realize how much actual footage and audio was available. 93 mins stitched together of the 8 day mission. No fluff, no banal narration just the real thing. You forget how many “firsts”, that look good on paper, were accomplished. It makes me wonder if the “youngsters” can actually comprehend the enormity of what was done. I’ve worked in the biz for 37 years, launches never get old and I’m always filled with pride at the “can-do” attitude. Hoo-rah!!
I thought that strike was on Apollo 12’s launch, not 11’s?
Kerbal Space Program ping!!!
enormity
What was the song they played at the end?
What was the song played at the end?
I was born then
July 9 69
Mom was holding infant me watching Neil
Maybe I should have said enormousness
: )
Shocked it took 28 posts.
Just doesn’t have the same ring, does it? ;)
Spoiler alert: The 3 astronauts are played by black women.
If they ran out more than likely We would have had 2 Memorials on the Moon. The LM wasn’t built to crash in, it was basically a Lander, portable Launch Pad, Fuel Tank and a Step Ladder for the Lower Section. The rest was a Tube Frame and Mylar Foil (Expensive Government Aluminum Foil) and Electronics, Environmental Control some Windows and a “Computer”.
They ran low on fuel because the previously selected Landing Site was covered in boulders, some the size of a Car (a real one like a full size 60’s - 70’s era) and the edge of a huge Crater and Neil took Manual Control just in time to avoid crashing and went Sideways to clear the selected Site and find a clearer location. If the Computer was allowed to finish the Program the results would have been UGLY !!!
Don’t remember. What was it?
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