In the Shadow of the Moon is a superb documentary about the Apollo project. It features extensive interviews with ten astronauts (of the 24 ones that went to the moon). They're all impressive and Wit a lot of them I feel I could sit and listen to their stories all day. Particularly Mike Collins who is the funniest of the group and Alan Bean who often seems the most human. Also, fun fact, Buzz Aldrin's other nickname is "Mr. Rendezvous" and it isn't because he's known for romantic liaisons.
The film weaves together all the Moon missions and there's a lot of great footage. I really got a feel for the whole range of the Moon missions including the landing. The landing was fairly new for me because I have seen Apollo 13 which of course didn't make the landing. Also, all the footage is original, there's no CGI whatsoever, and that is of course much different than Apollo 13.
I'd recommend this film to any space buffs that want to know a bit more of the human side. That said, this isn't a drama, it isn't about the families or the supporting engineers, its about the astronauts. Another side note, not surprisingly these are all white men, there's a bit more diversity in the background shots and the control room though. Not great, but a bit more than I expected given the time. I suppose when we go to Mars the astronaut pool will be even more impressive as they'll have more people to draw from.
As a final note, I felt some sense of loss. What the heck are we doing now that compares to that? Although now that I've thought about it for an hour or so, I think in a lot of ways the internet is the Moonshot for my generation. We all have seen it grow those who had the technology to do so have contributed some to its content or structure. I think it's an accomplishment to be proud of.
That said, the space race will be back, its just hard to say how soon. I figure the next round will have one of two triggers:
- The PRC kicks America in the pants by getting to the Moon themselves.
- Someone, quite possibly one of those entrepreneur burning money on the issue, figures out how to lower the price of breaking orbit by an order of magnitude.
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