The Apollo missions were incredibly dangerous, bold and ambitious. There was something almost Faustian in flying to the moon. How amazing that these missions were done with computer technology from 40 years ago! The excitement and romance of the Apollo missions are intimately shown and discussed with the original astronauts in this affecting documentary.
Although the documentary style itself is perhaps a bit predictable (slow-motion footage played against melancholic or sparse music) the footage of the missions is so excellent, and some of the old astronauts so interesting, that the movie ends up being quite emotionally effective.
A lot of things I never realized about the Apollo missions are highlighted here, such as how short they were in actual length or the emotional catharsis each of the astronauts went through during the experience. The spiritual revelations are the most interesting portions of the movie, those parts when the astronauts recall the way it completely changed their lives.
The fact that these affected gentlemen were some of the most intelligent and physically prime engineers, pilots and scientists on the planet really drives home the magnitude of their experiences. These guys don't strike one as being easily convinced of romantic religious beliefs or weak philosophical needs. They are, and were chosen for being, very self-sufficient individuals. (It's also kind of interesting that only one Apollo crew member became religious)
I wanted a little more to be discussed about the first Apollo mission, which exploded upon lift-off, and the astronauts who piloted it. And the only Apollo missions really focused on are 11 and 13, the later ones are sort of brushed over. It would have been nice to at least have a quick overview or summary of the various missions.
But this is a captivating documentary. The way the subject matter is presented, it becomes a meditation on the human condition. Watching the footage from the Apollo missions feels like one truly is watching some event from the Greek myths. This reiterated to me just how insane and incredulous it is that people actually went to the moon and walked around.
Although the documentary style itself is perhaps a bit predictable (slow-motion footage played against melancholic or sparse music) the footage of the missions is so excellent, and some of the old astronauts so interesting, that the movie ends up being quite emotionally effective.
A lot of things I never realized about the Apollo missions are highlighted here, such as how short they were in actual length or the emotional catharsis each of the astronauts went through during the experience. The spiritual revelations are the most interesting portions of the movie, those parts when the astronauts recall the way it completely changed their lives.
The fact that these affected gentlemen were some of the most intelligent and physically prime engineers, pilots and scientists on the planet really drives home the magnitude of their experiences. These guys don't strike one as being easily convinced of romantic religious beliefs or weak philosophical needs. They are, and were chosen for being, very self-sufficient individuals. (It's also kind of interesting that only one Apollo crew member became religious)
I wanted a little more to be discussed about the first Apollo mission, which exploded upon lift-off, and the astronauts who piloted it. And the only Apollo missions really focused on are 11 and 13, the later ones are sort of brushed over. It would have been nice to at least have a quick overview or summary of the various missions.
But this is a captivating documentary. The way the subject matter is presented, it becomes a meditation on the human condition. Watching the footage from the Apollo missions feels like one truly is watching some event from the Greek myths. This reiterated to me just how insane and incredulous it is that people actually went to the moon and walked around.