‘Moon’ documentary captures tingly optimism of lunar landing

September 26, 2007

By CHRISTY LEMIRE The Goshen News Wed Sep 26, 2007, 02:51 PM EDT

It may seem hard to remember these days and even harder to believe, but there was a time when the United States seemed united in the spirit of a common goal: rocketing to the moon during the summer of 1969.

Director David Sington’s documentary “In the Shadow of the Moon” vividly captures that sense of innocent enthusiasm, an almost tingly feeling of optimism.

The film features all-new interviews with the astronauts themselves, still bright and viable after all these years and full of descriptive stories to tell, as well as never-before-seen footage accompanied by Philip Sheppard’s wondrously uplifting score.

These guys are so funny, self-effacing and sometimes even vulnerable, they make you wish you could spend more time listening to their recollections. Among the 10 men we hear from who took part in various voyages, Mike Collins (Apollo 11) says with charming simplicity, “Yeah, it was hard to believe I was actually up there.” Meanwhile, Charlie Duke (Apollo 16) adds with a twang: “My son, Tom, was 5 and he didn’t think it was any big deal.”

But of course it was a big deal, for Americans both as individuals and as participants in a greater cause. Sington touches on the competitive political significance of the space race, but he smartly focuses his film more on how the accomplishments of these men provided inspiration that anything could be possible.

They tinkered and failed and tinkered some more and eventually succeeded. And all the while they were regarded as heroes — the guys with the right stuff.

Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11) recalls those days with an impish twinkle in his eyes, but he also acknowledges the pressure of being revered as one of the first men on the moon: “I have to sort of uphold that image the rest of my life,” he says ruefully. And Gene Cernan (Apollo 10 and 17) still looks fit and ready for action today, but admits the guilt he feels decades later about not having gone to Vietnam: “That was my war. ... I’ve always felt that they fought my war for me.”

These are glimpses into their souls we never could have gotten back then, the way their images were carefully controlled. Time and perspective have emboldened them to look straight into the camera and open up, and we’re better for it.

Just as moving are the images of space travel themselves, which are at once familiar yet feel fresh and new on the big screen in a theatrical setting. Much of the footage was just sitting there in the NASA library in cans that hadn’t been opened in 30 years and since has been re-mastered. (Sington worked with editor David Fairhead to piece the scenes together.)

As Apollo 11 takes off — a slow-motion eruption of metal and noise amid a shower of orange sparks — the vision is so powerful and poetic, it makes you want to cry.

Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14) waxes philosophical about understanding the oneness of the universe while floating out there in space, while Alan Bean (Apollo 12) says having gone to the moon makes him appreciate the world he lives in, something he does by walking around the mall and getting an ice cream cone.

Both reactions sound just about right.

“In the Shadow of the Moon,” a ThinkFilm release, is rated PG for mild language, brief violent images and incidental smoking. Running time: 100 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

———

Motion Picture Association of America rating definitions:

G — General audiences. All ages admitted.

PG — Parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

PG-13 — Special parental guidance strongly suggested for children under 13. Some material may be inappropriate for young children.

R — Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

NC-17 — No one under 17 admitted.

Text Only

Movie Reviews

‘Goats’ has fuzzy vision A fun tone is undermined by disjointed storytelling in George Clooney’s “The Men Who Stare at Goats,” and it all starts with the disclaimer that opens the movie: “More of this is true than what you might imagine.”

November 11, 2009
Supernatural success LOS ANGELES — The critics have spoken. Here’s what more than a few have to say:

“Scariest movie of the decade.”
October 16, 2009 1 Photo 1 Link
‘Getaway’ imperfect but fun “A Perfect Getaway” is essentially one big red herring, flopping around on an idyllic Hawaiian beach, desperately trying to call attention to itself.
August 7, 2009
‘G.I. Joe’ show no go LOS ANGELES — It’s the biggest movie of the summer that practically no one has seen.
August 5, 2009 1 Photo
‘Transformers’ noisy, nonsensical A joyless cacophony, an insistent and seemingly endless onslaught, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” director Michael Bay’s follow-up to the 2007 smash “Transformers” plays more like a parody of a Bay movie.
June 26, 2009
‘Proposal’ says yes to cliches All the romantic comedy conventions are shamelessly on parade in “The Proposal,” trampling on our brains and turning them into mush.
June 20, 2009 1 Photo
‘Imagine That’ a solid comedy The words “Eddie Murphy family comedy” are enough to send shivers down the spine of any self-respecting film lover.

June 12, 2009
‘Pelham’ an overcaffeinated thriller The way the original 1974 film’s title has been condensed tells you everything you need to know about the direction “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” is headed. In these fast-paced, mixed-up times, it simply takes too long to spell out the numbers.
June 11, 2009 1 Photo
This movie in ‘Ruins’ LOS ANGELES — As we learn from “My Life in Ruins,” the Greek word for mojo — or zest for life — is “kefi.” Nia Vardalos’ character has lost hers and needs to get it back.

June 10, 2009
This movie is not a ‘Drag’ The name alone, “Drag Me to Hell,” tells you exactly what this is: an unabashed celebration of B-movie schlockery. But the dichotomies director Sam Raimi presents within that familiar genre are what make this such a kick.

May 29, 2009
More Movie Reviews Headlines

The Goshen Housing Authority has a $571,050 shortfall. Should the Goshen City Council use money from its $4.7-million “rainy day” fund to pay the debt and maintain the current level of service provided by the voucher program?

Breaking News