With 65mm footage and 11,000 hours of audio recordings, APOLLO 11 provides an immersive and detailed depiction of what it took for man to take “one small step for mankind and one giant leap for humanity”. Distributed by Neon in partnership with CNN Films.
Apollo 11 differs from most movies by not relying on flashy dramatisation for its more intense moments (though Nixon does make an appearance). Instead, it reveals small details which collectively create an impactful whole.
Story
Director Todd Douglas Miller (Gahanna Bill) has searched the National Archives for never-before-seen 70mm footage of Apollo 11 mission. This movie provides an exciting ride through preparations, liftoff, landing, and return from the moon – it should not be missed by those interested in human achievement and should preferably be watched on an IMAX screen.
This story follows the real events of 1969 when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to step foot on the moon. It portrays their crew, the people at NASA, spectators watching live from on Earth as well as details from each astronaut’s personal lives and challenges they experienced on their journey.
This documentary should be watched by anyone interested in space exploration and the American dream. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of working together for collective success, showing how a nation came together to accomplish such incredible achievements, inspiring audiences today to strive towards even greater goals.
One of the hallmarks of Apollo 11 is its dedication to historical facts. Filmmakers used no narration or interviews beyond what was recorded during the mission itself, creating an immersive cinematic experience and giving the viewer a direct account of historic event. Opening sequences are especially captivating; their scale rivaling that of Star Destroyer in Star Wars: A New Hope.
The film draws upon an array of footage, from Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the moon to audio transmissions from Mission Control, creating an unforgettable film experience that will stir emotion in all who watch it.
Apollo 11 is a G-rated movie, but may be too intense for younger children. It contains some mild profanity and space travel scenes could be frightening for very young viewers. Furthermore, parts of its soundtrack may be loud and dramatic and make watching difficult for sensitive youngsters.
Cast
Todd Miller brings an intimate perspective to this epic event through “Neil Armstrong: Son of Apollo.” It won the Sundance Film Festival’s top prize for documentaries and will open nationwide this year courtesy of CNN Films/Neon partnership which also released “Three Identical Strangers.”
Miller’s film uses footage shot on 70mm film and 11,000 hours of uncatalogued audio recordings to convey both the vastness of space as well as the drama and emotional stakes of this historic mission. Archival footage looks fresh, crisp, and almost hyperreal in parts; punctuated with sound bites from astronauts, families, Walter Cronkite, mission control, President Kennedy and President Nixon themselves as well as simple animations by Matt Morton’s swelling electronic score add a sense of being there; along with shots that capture both Saturn rocket scale as well as command module’s cramped confines.
Miller keeps things focused on the mission itself, quickly disproving any flat-earther or moon landing doubters through expert interviews. He captures everything that had to happen behind-the-scenes, from technicians assembling the towering rocket to onlookers waiting in department store parking lots to watch history unfold. His camera also captures everyday details relating to this historic journey: men wearing hard hats on scaffolding atop launch pad scaffolding, worrying faces in Mission Control crunching numbers, chain smoking NASA employees wearing white short sleeves and pocket protectors within their cramped quarters – these details paint an essential portrait of this mission that captures both its complexity as well as its complexity.
The result is an eye-opening documentary that is sure to impress, whether you remember these events from 1969 or are learning of them for the first time. It is a tribute to these remarkable people’s courage and ingenuity as well as an affirmation that miracles still occur even today with digital overproduction.
Rating
Apollo 11 is an unforgettable celebration of humanity’s first moon landing, not to be missed! Comprised of actual film footage and audio recordings, viewers gain insight into arguably one of the most dangerous missions ever undertaken by humans; from prelaunch preparations through lunar landing and astronaut emotions during this critical period. This movie does not disappoint.
Todd Douglas Miller stands out as an admirable director, opting instead to focus on images rather than interviews in this space-themed documentary. His freeform approach allows them to speak for themselves – particularly the cinematography capturing shots of Vehicle Assembly Building and crawler-transporter as well as Matt Morton’s score, adding an air of grandeur to this epic movie.
This movie also highlights how much teamwork went into launching and landing astronauts on the moon, and their three-week medical quarantine upon returning home; an extremely timely topic given current coronavirus pandemic concerns. Overall, the film provides an engaging viewing experience which keeps audiences on their toes!
Although Apollo 11 may not rival David Sington’s 2007 documentary In the Shadow of the Moon in terms of sheer spectacle, it still represents an excellent addition to NASA-related factual movies. Its meticulous attention to detail and steady pace will appeal to space enthusiasts and history buffs alike; providing an insight into every step along its journey from start to finish.
However, this film may be too intense for younger children due to its use of historical footage and scenes such as blastoff and reentry into Earth’s atmosphere; additionally, some of its language may be offensive or even abusive.
This movie is suitable for viewers aged 8 and up; younger children might be disturbed by some scenes, particularly the liftoff and descent into the moon. G-rated, there are no explicit sexual scenes or nudity present; however some dialogue does contain mild coarse language.
Trailer
Todd Douglas Miller’s Emmy and Peabody award-winning documentary Apollo 11 premiered to rave reviews at Sundance Film Festival this January, and will now hit theaters later this summer to commemorate Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s historic moon landing of 1969. Neon and CNN Films joined forces again for its distribution (three identical strangers was previously). G-rated and featuring never-before-seen 70mm footage as well as strong antiwar messaging, Apollo 11 also addresses medical quarantines faced upon returning from space; an issue highly topical subject given this year’s coronavirus pandemic!