The compelling new documentary 'In the Shadow of the Moon" recounts the Apollo space missions that began in the 1960s.
Spurred on by the Cold War and the competitive 'Space Race" with the Soviets, President John F Kennedy threw down a challenge to the United States; that before the decade was out, they should land a man on the moon and bring him safely back to earth. This challenge was taken extremely seriously and is wonderfully depicted in this riveting documentary.
Celebrated filmmaker Ron Howard began his love affair with the Apollo space missions when he directed the film 'Apollo 13" and now he’s back to Produce 'In the Shadow of the Moon".
While this film does touch on the doomed Apollo 13 mission, it takes a much closer look at the successful Lunar landing of Apollo 11.
The remastered NASA space footage, much of it never seen before, is alone worth the price of admission. It is breathtaking and leaves you with a sense of wonder. We gain a small understanding of what it must have been like for those who viewed it first hand.
British director David Sington relies on the surviving astronauts to tell their own story, cleverly avoiding the use of a disembodied narrator.
Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins from the successful Apollo 11 mission; shed light on what it was like to be apart of such an historic occasion. The reclusive Neil Armstrong did not take part; though his presence is felt throughout the film.
It is fascinating to hear the various astronauts talk of their experience. Many seemed affected on a deep spiritual level. And indeed, is it any wonder? The film’s power lies in its subject matter. These 12 elite astronauts are the only humans ever to step foot on the moon.
This brilliant documentary reminds us of the enormity of that fact and the sacrifices that were made to achieve that '"¦one giant leap for mankind".
President Kennedy was assassinated before he could see his challenge realised in 1969"¦ but he would no doubt have been proud. 4 stars.
