From the Earth to the Moon (TV Mini Series) Mare Tranquilitatis (1998) User Reviews

The story of Apollo 11 we all know, but done better than ever

[Solnichka · 10/10 · 10 February 2016]

What else is there to be said about Apollo 11? We all know the details backward and forward. This episode still have some good reveals, though, which make it an excellent contribution to the series as a whole. The "drama" created by Aldrin in regards to which astronaut would step on the Moon first is interesting, in light of his latter-day issues with depression, etc. You wonder how much of it goes back to an inferiority complex clearly outlined in this episode. That's not a criticism of Aldrin, either: No one remembers the second guy as fondly as the first guy. To achieve such heights (pun not intended) and to be overlooked for it is tough to endure. Bryan Cranston clearly shows his acting chops years before his fame would come with _Breaking Bad_. Also, the portrayals of Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong are also impressive here, as the episode covers familiar Armstrong territory while also giving Collins some much-deserved attention. In a sense, this episode is both the emotional and historical peak of the series, and it had to be perfect. Job well done by the writers and producers for this entry in the series!

A pretty lousy telling of a hugely historic event....

[pmike-11312 · 3/10 · 14 August 2022]

There's a lot to criticize in this episode. For one, the portrayal of Aldrin as some humorless, nervous-nellie is as inaccurate as can be. Yes, Aldrin was very serious about his work, but in interviews and the flight transcripts he shows himself to have a pretty wicked sense of humor. And although he was never comfortable talking to the media and the press , he almost always gave a good accounting of himself.

The portrayal of Armstrong as an eye-rolling commander toward his LM pilot is also assinine. Armstrong said many times that he always gave great weight to what Aldrin said, whether he agreed or not. And here, when Aldrin is partaking in communion after the landing, Armstrong is shown giving a mocking, eye-rolling look at Aldrin. NOT TRUE. According to Neil, Buzz asked him before the flight if this was okay, and Armstrong told him it was fine, that he had no problem with that whatsoever.

I'll leave my criticisms there - I don't have the ambition to write a book on this rather poor episode. How can Hollywood - once again - take a compelling, historic, true-story and so badly screw it up?