In this film Robert Duvall and James Caan portray to perfection the rivalry between aviators competing for a mission much better than The Right Stuff. The scrubbed astronaut Robert Duvall tries to wash out his replacement James Caan who he must train for the mission he himself desires. The addition of an on-board electrical power shortage in flight foreshadows the actual events encountered during the Apollo 13 mission.
Although entirely fiction the film is a time machine that brings back the look and feel of the Space Race era. To see NASA Building 5 filled with Apollo and Gemini simulators is a pure delight. And the chance to experience the The Space Environment Simulation Laboratory in NASA Building 32 is an even greater delight. Unlike other movies the filming in mission control NASA Building 30 shows just how small it actually is.
The cinematography in widescreen format using Panavision equipment is flawless. Although as ordered from Warner Archive digitized from a non remastered print it is crystal clear and free of flaws when projected on a 100" screen. This film is a must have for any aviation and space enthusiast.
I should note that there are few special effects in this movie except for some photographic tricks with light to simulate black sky on the lunar surface. All the equipment was actual NASA simulation equipment. There was some stock footage used for the rocket launches. During the space race NASA had contingency plans for a Gemini Lander and a prototype was built. The choice to use one man was because Gemini life support was designed to support two men for 15 days. If a landing was aborted using Earth Free Return life support for one man would be taxed to it's limit.
Although entirely fiction the film is a time machine that brings back the look and feel of the Space Race era. To see NASA Building 5 filled with Apollo and Gemini simulators is a pure delight. And the chance to experience the The Space Environment Simulation Laboratory in NASA Building 32 is an even greater delight. Unlike other movies the filming in mission control NASA Building 30 shows just how small it actually is.
The cinematography in widescreen format using Panavision equipment is flawless. Although as ordered from Warner Archive digitized from a non remastered print it is crystal clear and free of flaws when projected on a 100" screen. This film is a must have for any aviation and space enthusiast.
I should note that there are few special effects in this movie except for some photographic tricks with light to simulate black sky on the lunar surface. All the equipment was actual NASA simulation equipment. There was some stock footage used for the rocket launches. During the space race NASA had contingency plans for a Gemini Lander and a prototype was built. The choice to use one man was because Gemini life support was designed to support two men for 15 days. If a landing was aborted using Earth Free Return life support for one man would be taxed to it's limit.