Movie review: "In the Shadow of the Moon"
Juliana D'Amico
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: Arts
Out of the original NASA astronauts of the Apollo missions, ten share the memories of their journey to the moon in the movie "In the Shadow of the Moon." Their stories, and more importantly, their achievements in history, are celebrated.
Because of the fast-paced rhythm of this 100-minute PG-rated film, it hardly seems like a documentary. The treasured film footage taken by the astronauts and currently preserved in liquid nitrogen at NASA is fantastic to view, with scenes of lunar dust and orbiting space equipment. At times, it feels as if the movie theatre is an IMAX.
Movie goers will have a chance to learn what earlier generations lived through as they cheered the moon landings. Even after many years, the astronauts' eyes light up as they recall their journey into space, asking the audience to re-live it one step at a time.
Some astronauts share bitter memories of NASA's inner politics, while some laughingly share a few inside jokes. The movie reveals some of the fears, concerns, and failures that, until now, were unknown. Perhaps the most entertaining part of the interviews with the Apollo crew is the story of what was running through each man's mind as he made history.
Viewers may wonder why Neil Armstrong did not tell his story in the movie. Director
David Sington spoke at a preview to explain that Armstrong sees himself as a representative of the whole world, and not just of himself.
Why does Armstrong see himself this way?
The movie will answer that question, but more profoundly, Armstrong's silence speaks volumes about how extraordinary his successful Apollo missions were. One astronaut recalls that even with intense training and preparation, it was not until after take-off that it truly dawned on him that he was heading toward the moon.
The film succeeds in communicating the sense of awe the Apollo missions inspired. One astronaut's father, alive at the time of the Wright brothers, struggled to believe his son had actually flown to the moon.
A significant theme of the documentary is the attitude of hope and confidence during the era of the missions.
The old expression, "If people can land on the moon, they can do anything," takes on new meaning. With its rare footage, intensely personal interviews, and upbeat pace, "In the Shadow of the Moon" is a documentary not to be missed.
Because of the fast-paced rhythm of this 100-minute PG-rated film, it hardly seems like a documentary. The treasured film footage taken by the astronauts and currently preserved in liquid nitrogen at NASA is fantastic to view, with scenes of lunar dust and orbiting space equipment. At times, it feels as if the movie theatre is an IMAX.
Movie goers will have a chance to learn what earlier generations lived through as they cheered the moon landings. Even after many years, the astronauts' eyes light up as they recall their journey into space, asking the audience to re-live it one step at a time.
Some astronauts share bitter memories of NASA's inner politics, while some laughingly share a few inside jokes. The movie reveals some of the fears, concerns, and failures that, until now, were unknown. Perhaps the most entertaining part of the interviews with the Apollo crew is the story of what was running through each man's mind as he made history.
Viewers may wonder why Neil Armstrong did not tell his story in the movie. Director
David Sington spoke at a preview to explain that Armstrong sees himself as a representative of the whole world, and not just of himself.
Why does Armstrong see himself this way?
The movie will answer that question, but more profoundly, Armstrong's silence speaks volumes about how extraordinary his successful Apollo missions were. One astronaut recalls that even with intense training and preparation, it was not until after take-off that it truly dawned on him that he was heading toward the moon.
The film succeeds in communicating the sense of awe the Apollo missions inspired. One astronaut's father, alive at the time of the Wright brothers, struggled to believe his son had actually flown to the moon.
A significant theme of the documentary is the attitude of hope and confidence during the era of the missions.
The old expression, "If people can land on the moon, they can do anything," takes on new meaning. With its rare footage, intensely personal interviews, and upbeat pace, "In the Shadow of the Moon" is a documentary not to be missed.
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