Apollo 11 (1996) (TV)

Director:

Norberto Barba

Writer (WGA):

Phil Penningroth (written by)

Release Date:

17 November 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Fearful that the Russians would continue their lead in the space race and be the first to put a man on the moon...

Plot Keywords:

Moon Landing | NASA | The Star Spangled Banner | Based On True Story

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Carmen Argenziano	...	Tom Paine
Tuck Milligan	...	Martin Wells
Dennis Lipscomb	...	George Low
William Mesnik	...	Bob Gilruth
Jack Conley	...	Deke Slayton
Michael Chieffo	...	Dr. Charles Berry
Jeffrey Nordling	...	Neil Armstrong
James Parks	...	Man at Bar
Barbara Whinnery	...	Lola Morrow (as Barbara K. Whinnery)
Wendie Malick	...	Pat Collins
Jim Metzler	...	Mike Collins
Samantha Dapper	...	Annie Collins
Jane Kaczmarek	...	Jan Armstrong
Maureen Mueller	...	Joan Aldrin
Xander Berkeley	...	Buzz Aldrin

Also Known As:

Apollo 11: The Movie

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Filming Locations:

Houston, Texas, USA

Company:

Apollo 11 Productions Inc.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: A photo of a Saturn V night launch is shown. This is of the Apollo 17 launch (the only time a Saturn V was launched at night), which was in 1972. The Apollo 11 mission was in 1969.

Soundtrack:

Darlin' Be Home Soon

One enjoyable leap

I watched and taped this movie when the Family Channel originally ran it in 1996. They (the Family Channel) promoted it pretty heavily and had trivia questions during the commercial breaks. It was an event geared for family viewing, something the Family Channel has lost site of lately. I recently viewed my tape to see how I would react to it almost 10 years after its release. My opinion has not changed; It is an enjoyable movie but it is what one would expect from a made for TV movie. I don't think the makers of this film can deny that they were cashing in on the waves created in the wake of the successful Apollo 13 which was released the previous year (1995). There was some good information conveyed in the movie, however, it did borrow a number of snippets from Apollo 13 - the wrist watch being put on over the astronaut's space suit, the close up of the traction belt on the tractor moving the rocket to the launch pad (almost the exact same shots used in Apollo 13) and Gene Kranz stating "Work the problem..." The actor who played Gene Kranz seemed to be trying harder to be Ed Harris than Gene Kranz. I like the scenes that showed the astronauts at home with their wives/families before the flight. I felt they were done very well and added some good contrast to the goings-on at NASA. I also found one scene somewhat out of place - Micheal Collins makes a comment which alludes to receiving a T-shirt that says "My husband went to moon and all I got was a lousy..." I doubt that saying was around in 1969. Despite these factors, I would definitely recommend this film as it is well made and informative. It is also a great story about American triumph, something badly needed in a post-9/11 world. I will point out that I too agree - the song at the end is beautiful.