Apollo 11 Quarantine Movie Review
This short film showcases stunning, never-before-seen footage from NASA and the National Archives and follows Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins as they undergo a 21 day medical quarantine upon their return from space. This uplifting tribute recognizes their stoicism during an unprecedented global crisis period and leaves an inspiring message of hope behind.
The Story
CNN Films and Neon are proud to present Todd Douglas Miller’s 2019 cinematic event documentary feature Apollo 11, as part of their 2019 cinematic event documentary series Quarantine. Just like its predecessor, Quarantine explores the quarantine experience experienced by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins after returning from their historic moon trip. Premiering today on television and IMAX screens nationwide before hitting theaters late March as well as VOD later this month.
Quarantines were designed with the fear that there may be microorganisms on the Moon that, if transmitted back to Earth, could endanger humanity’s survival. Apollo 11 astronauts were placed under quarantine for 21 days after returning home after coming into contact with lunar material; no signs of life or transmission were detected during this period and so all were safe to return home unharmed.
Film viewers can witness footage from both manned missions to and from the Moon as well as archiveal material and interviews with astronauts and family members. We also witness their experience aboard MQF (Modified Quarters Facility), an Airstream trailer modified as living quarters; although astronauts could interact through glass barriers and debriefing sessions with NASA scientists and staff.
Apollo 11 fans might recognize some footage from Apollo 11, yet this new short adds much more context and emotion to its narrative. We get an intimate view into astronauts and their families at their most vulnerable state when confined to such an isolated space – their frustrations, fears and attempts at dealing with it through such things as hugging each other or playing ukuleles can all be heard here.
Though originally created prior to COVID-19 coming into force, its relevance remains evermore poignant now as we face increased lockdowns and social distancing. A touching tale of human resilience that’s sure to touch audiences of all stripes.
The Actors
Todd Douglas Miller (APOLLO 11 and Dinosaur 13) returns with this short documentary exploring Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins’ time spent under quarantine following their historic moon landing. Miller made headlines worldwide when his cinematic event documentary feature Apollo 11 was released worldwide in 2019 with its unique approach of weaving never-before seen archival footage into an engaging narrative film format – this unique approach won him accolades like Peabody Awards from Critics Choice as well as box office success!
This sequel of sorts centers around the 21 days that Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins spent in quarantine following their historic mission. Like its predecessor film, this documentary short utilizes high-definition footage from NASA Archives without narration or interviews from any interviews conducted for it.
The stunning images transport audiences back to 1969, from astronauts donning lunar modules, leaving the moon, returning back to Houston where we see them being wheeled around by crew of the USS Hornet and back again by Houstonian drivers, before eventually returning back into space once more for departure back into Houston – this film provides audiences with an amazing visual treat. Furthermore, some iconic graphics such as T-Minus countdown clock, speed telemetry display as well as graphic overlays overlaid with mission radio chatter also make for great visual treats!
“Revenge” offers an intriguing and sobering glimpse at an era that has become mythologized through films like The Right Stuff and First Man. While viewing Armstrong, Aldrin, and their engineers celebrating birthdays from within their sterilized RV is heartwarming, watching this movie leaves one feeling inspired yet humbled at its same time.
Quarantine will debut today in select IMAX theaters and be available on demand by February 5. Though not as epic as its predecessor, Quarantine still manages to transport viewers back 50 years to witness an historic event. I give it four out of five stars and highly recommend this film for anyone interested in this unique chapter of history – just don’t forget popcorn and earplugs!
The Visuals
Archival footage in this film is breathtaking, enhanced by simple white-on-black graphics to highlight specific moments. The filmmakers do an outstanding job showing us just how difficult and dangerous these maneuvers were while also emphasizing their human scale: astronauts climbing out of their command module in biological isolation suits; crew and support personnel gathering around a modified Airstream trailer used as mobile quarantine facility (a mobile quarantine facility). Unfortunately, it can sometimes become confusing when its visuals don’t shine through as much;
This film centers around Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins’ 21-day quarantine after their return from the moon. That period, which started when they closed their hatch to Earth from being exposed to pathogens on Mars, was intended to prevent any pathogens they may have picked up from spreading further – an act of selfless sacrifice made for greater good that serves as an inspiring example of humanity coming together during times of trouble.
Director Todd Douglas Miller’s 2019 feature film APOLLO 11 is an unforgettable cinematic experience, using words spoken directly by three astronauts who came together during this remarkable moment in our history.
Miller is an expert craftsman as a filmmaker; the movie boasts an elegant appearance. Miller and his team procured authentic props and costumes (spacesuits were designed by replica artist Ryan Nagata who also worked on First Man), with colors chosen specifically to evoke an era-appropriate palette; Dariusz Wolski handled cinematography duties while editing was precise and tight.
This short will delight anyone interested in NASA or moon landing history, yet is particularly poignant given the coronavirus pandemic: as we’re advised to remain separate, this film shows us all how we can come together for common goals.
The Sound
Last year, Todd Douglas Miller’s restored found-footage film Apollo 11 was an enormously popular viewer attraction and won several prestigious awards. Since then, Miller has released Apollo 11: Quarantine which chronicles what happened after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin completed their historic first moon landing mission.
Miller’s movie follows the astronauts after their return from the Moon and three-week medical quarantine aboard the USS Hornet carrier ship that brought them back home. Like found-footage films before it, this uses no narration other than news reports and transmission chatter from astronauts themselves.
Miller draws upon both film footage and audio archives from the mission, editing these together in the style of 1970s rock concert documentaries to show simultaneous views of astronauts in space and mission control. One notable sequence shows Armstrong and Aldrin speaking with their wives back on Earth while astronaut Michael Collins converses with NASA chief Charles Keith from Houston.
The film is well-made, and its portrayal of astronauts and their wives is especially engaging, yet lacks the epic scope of its predecessor. Additionally, many of the mission’s dramatic moments were left out, including a leaky valve which nearly cancelled it altogether and an egress from lunar surface marred by a stuck lunar module door.
One of the hallmarks of the film is its use of sound to immerse viewers into life on board a spacecraft. Instead of simply narrating each day with voiceover, this approach uses sound to build tension and excitement throughout, from astronaut Neil Armstrong announcing “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” right up until their eventual landing on Mars.
The movie features an outstanding piece of music: NASA’s original recording of their “one-way communication” with Apollo 11 while they were on the moon. This recording has since become public domain and can be enjoyed online; NASA has uploaded their full archive to Internet Archive as a nonprofit that hosts cultural artifacts; though navigation may be confusing at first, engineers like Feist who worked on Apollo are working towards making accessing it simpler for listeners.