New Apollo 11 documentary coming soon

[BobF4321]

New Apollo 11 documentary coming with new unseen restored footage:

http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-012519a-sundance-apollo11-documentary-premiere.html

[Eric Hedman]

This trailer is short but intriguing:

https://www.apollo11movie.com/

[MATTBLAK]

I've been looking forward to this for some time now, more than 'First Man'.

[Comga]

Let me get this straight:
Months before the 50th anniversary, a huge cache of unknown, cinema quality, film footage was discovered.
By people making a movie.
How utterly improbable.

This does sound like it's going to be terrific.

[RedLineTrain]

Let me get this straight:
Months before the 50th anniversary, a huge cache of unknown, cinema quality, film footage was discovered.
By people making a movie.
How utterly improbable.

This does sound like it's going to be terrific.

More than cinema quality.  65mm film.  Should look stunning on IMAX.

[Comga]

Let me get this straight:
Months before the 50th anniversary, a huge cache of unknown, cinema quality, film footage was discovered.
By people making a movie.
How utterly improbable.

This does sound like it's going to be terrific.

More than cinema quality.  65mm film.  Should look stunning on IMAX.

“Look at the moon, not my finger”
The dominant word was “unknown” not “cinematic”.
Unknown Super8 film would have been a great discovery.

How is it possible that the considerable effort to take 60 mm “movies”, particularly in the 1960’s, went unnoticed?
How could no one, at the 20th or 25th anniversary, or one of the memorials to an Apollo astronaut, have said “Hey!  I took some 60 mm film of such and such”?
If something obscure is discovered with an instrument I build, I am telling everyone who doesn’t escape my enthusiasm.
If I had filmed work on a real Apollo capsule, and I saw scenes from the movie “Apollo 13” there’s no way I wouldn’t have told people “I took those images of a real Apollo capsule, with a better camera!”

So yeah, this discovery is astounding. And wonderful.
I can’t wait to see this film.

[mme]

Some good information about the new footage and documentary in the December issue of Vanity Fair:
    The Found Footage That Provides a Whole New Look at the Apollo 11 Moon Landing

But what was staid NASA doing, shooting in Todd-AO in 1969, by which point the format was in decline? Part of the explanation lies in a film called Moonwalk One, directed by a man named Theo Kamecke. A couple of years before the Apollo 11 mission, NASA had put together a deal with MGM Studios and the filmmaker Francis Thompson, a pioneer in producing proto-Imax giant-screen documentaries, to make a picture that would tell the story of the entire Apollo program. But on short notice, MGM backed out.

As exhilarating as Rooney’s news was for Miller, it presented a technological challenge. NARA didn’t have 60s-era Todd-AO projectors to screen these materials, let alone the equipment to transfer them to digital. But Miller’s project presented Rooney and NARA with a golden opportunity: for a private entity to underwrite the digitization and preservation of materials that, because they are part of the National Archives, belong to the public. An arrangement was worked out to do just that. The postproduction shop with which Miller works in New York, Final Frame, rigged up custom hardware and software just for the Apollo 11 project in order to scan the Todd-AO footage to digital. As the old reels scanned through Final Frame’s machinery and their contents played out on a screen, Miller and Rooney couldn’t believe their good fortune. “Our jaws were on the floor,”

[IanThePineapple]

More info on the release date (final paragraph of article)
http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-012519a-sundance-apollo11-documentary-premiere.html

Neon is planning a theatrical run for "Apollo 11" later this spring (a date for the release is expected soon), with a giant screen release for museums and science centers in May, followed by CNN airing a version of the documentary closer to the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission this summer.

[Oersted]

Review in the Hollywood Reporter:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/apollo-11-review-1178398
Sounds to me like just the documentary Apollo 11 deserves after the disappointment of 'First Man'.

[Oersted]

Official full trailer out just now:



HOLY sh!t.

[mme]

Official full trailer out just now:



HOLY sh!t.

The anticipation is killing me. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.

[Eric Hedman]

This will get me out to a theater which is a rarity.

[OxCartMark]

HOLY sh!t.

This will get me out to a theater which is a rarity.

[Lars-J]

I've been looking forward to this for some time now, more than 'First Man'.

At least we now can see the 60s indeed had clean and modern spaces, instead of the run down dirty rooms of "First Man".

[JMS]

Review in the Hollywood Reporter:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/apollo-11-review-1178398
Sounds to me like just the documentary Apollo 11 deserves after the disappointment of 'First Man'.

Sigh... First Man was not intended to be a docu-Apollo 11. Not intended to be a spaceflight film.  It was a bio pic of Neil's life for a generation who knew next to nothing about his life and times. In that, it succeeded.

[Oersted]

In that, it succeeded.

Well, there are different opinions about that. (But that discussion has been had elsewhere...)

[Lars-J]

Review in the Hollywood Reporter:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/apollo-11-review-1178398
Sounds to me like just the documentary Apollo 11 deserves after the disappointment of 'First Man'.

Sigh... First Man was not intended to be a docu-Apollo 11. Not intended to be a spaceflight film.  It was a bio pic of Neil's life for a generation who knew next to nothing about his life and times. In that, it succeeded.

Did it succeed, though? Lots of people have legitimate gripes about the portrayal of Armstrong (and Aldrin) in 'First Man'. And did not do a great job of showing the state of the art nor the 60s times IMO. But your mileage will of course vary.

The film worked for some people. For many others it did not.

[Johnnyhinbos]

Well this thread veered off course faster than a Falcon 9 fairing...

[OxCartMark]

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/12/apollo-11-50th-year-anniversary

The Vanity Fair article states;

As its title indicates, Apollo 11, which will have its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January as a 90-minute feature (a shorter version, around 40 minutes, will reach museums later next year), is about...

So I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that those of us assembled here would prefer the longer 93 minute version.  Correct me if I'm wrong and you prefer to see the 40 minute version.  For me I'd be fine wading through about 20 hours of it unless multiple settings can be arranged in which case I'd probably have them run film for me until it was gone.   But how do we get our eyes on the 93 minute version when it comes around or do I have to wait until it comes on TV?  (in which case I'll need to figure out how to turn the thing on and see if it still works)

[Johnnyhinbos]

I’m very much excited to see this film. And as an aside, the director, Miller’s, last film is called Dinosaur 13 about the world’s largest T Rex (named Sue). I had the opportunity to spend time with Sue’s discoverer, Sue Hendrickson, in Cuba in the late 1990s. She was one of the most charismatic and unique individuals I’ve ever met and boy do I have stories from my trips to Cuba (which includes having dinner with Cuba’s James Bond - General Patricio dela Guardia, smuggling a Cuban out of the country in the hold of a research ship, Patrick Kennedy, and something fateful that led to my eventual divorce - but that’s a story for another time).

Oops - drifted down memory lane. Point being, this should be a well crafted film...

[ZachF]

Looking forward to this. 

This shot below always takes my breath away.

[collectSPACE]

"Apollo 11" will exclusively launch into IMAX theaters for one week only beginning March 1, followed by a wide release into movie theaters on March 8.

http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-021419a-apollo-11-documentary-imax-release.html

Tickets for the IMAX showings are now for sale:

https://www.apollo11movie.com/tickets/
https://www.imax.com/movies/apollo-11-2019

(International distribution is in the works; dates and details to come.)

[Blackstar]

I just saw it on an IMAX screen. It is outstanding. Go see it.

[mme]

I just saw it on an IMAX screen. It is outstanding. Go see it.

Where and how? (I am quite envious.)

Edit: I got tickets for March 2nd (it's about an 80 mile drive so it has to wait for a weekend .)

[Blackstar]

I just saw it on an IMAX screen. It is outstanding. Go see it.

Where and how? (I am quite envious.)

At NASM, special showing.

[zubenelgenubi]

I just saw it on an IMAX screen. It is outstanding. Go see it.

Where and how? (I am quite envious.)

At NASM, special showing.

I'm glad that you were able to attend the press screening this morning.  I'm hoping to catch this soon.  I've heard a lot of enthusiasm for the film.

(I saw a few minutes of the film documenting before and during re-entry.  I had two consecutive planetarium screenings with large school groups that took priority this morning.)

DC denizens: Be On the LookOut (BOLO) for NASM IMAX (DMR) ticket sales, both downtown and at the Hazy Center--screening times should be decided soon.

https://www.si.edu/imax

[Eric Hedman]

I found out it is showing near me.  Where in the IMAX theater is the best viewing for this movie, up front, middle or back?  I haven't been in an IMAX theater in a while.

[Blackstar]

I found out it is showing near me.  Where in the IMAX theater is the best viewing for this movie, up front, middle or back?  I haven't been in an IMAX theater in a while.

Middle. You never want to be up front. You will hurt your neck.

There's nothing in the movie that is going to overwhelm you like some of the IMAX movies where they show a shuttle launch and you get the deep rumble. I've seen movies that are outstanding on IMAX and others that don't truly require it. I think this is towards the latter category--it's nice to experience it in IMAX, but not a requirement.

[Eric Hedman]

I bought my ticket for March 1st.  I am looking forward to it.

[Oersted]

Very positive review in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/feb/25/apollo-11-review-eye-opening-documentary-is-a-five-star-triumph

On another note, where will I be able to see this movie in Europa? No info about release outside of the US on imdb.com. I hope I will be able to see it in a movie theatre...

[woods170]

Very positive review in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/feb/25/apollo-11-review-eye-opening-documentary-is-a-five-star-triumph

On another note, where will I be able to see this movie in Europa? No info about release outside of the US on imdb.com. I hope I will be able to see it in a movie theatre...

It will be released to the UK (and the rest of Europe) on a later date.

[Oersted]

Do you have more substantial info or a link?

Washington Post review also just out: https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/the-imax-documentary-apollo-11-is-a-virtual-round-trip-ticket-to-the-moon/2019/02/25/1249faaa-3606-11e9-a400-e481bf264fdc_story.html?utm_term=.fbf841a19d0b

[Comga]

Quick post:  Just saw this film in the local IMAX theater
Spectacular
Awe inspiring
Jaw dropping
Thrilling

And a total failure of marketing. The theater was practically empty.
So glad I read about it on NSF and went first opportunity

[mule169]

Quick post:  Just saw this film in the local IMAX theater
Spectacular
Awe inspiring
Jaw dropping
Thrilling

And a total failure of marketing. The theater was practically empty.
So glad I read about it on NSF and went first opportunity

100% agree.  10 people in the 300 seat IMAX theater I just got out of...  Such a great film.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[sghill]

I saw this today. "Magnificent " doesn't begin to describe how great this documentary is to watch.

See it in IMAX, because no other sound system will capture the Saturn 5's launch as vividly.

If you are a member of the NSF forum, you owe it to yourself to go before it leaves the theaters.

[mme]

Scott Manley has a review:



I've got tickets for tomorrow. There aren't many movies I'd drive 80 miles to see.

I feel like a kid on Xmas eve.

[Bubbinski]

Am heading for the IMAX theater at Jordan Commons in Sandy tonight for the 9:35 showing of Apollo 11, looking forward to it and will be back in time to start watching NASA TV DM-1 coverage.

[Ike17055]

Saw it at first showing at the udvar-Hazy IMAX today. Delivered well Beyond my sky-high expectations. Absolutely hits the highest of the high notes. Definitely agree: see it in IMAX. The launch sequence alone is worth the price of admission. 

I feel so Fortunate to have been alive and engaged during this moment in history, and now just as glad to be around to see this supreme and vivid re-telling of the adventure. How incredible is this entire experience that these marvelous shots were re-discovered for the anniversary! It just somehow seems right that this moment in history was captured in supreme detail and beauty for the historical record, as well as to convey with such realism and immediacy, how utterly astonishing and significant this achievement actually was and is.

[Oersted]

Am heading for the IMAX theater at Jordan Commons in Sandy tonight for the 9:35 showing of Apollo 11, looking forward to it and will be back in time to start watching NASA TV DM-1 coverage.

Spectacular day you are having there!

[Eric Hedman]

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!

I just got back from watching the movie.  The mission was a success and they got back to Earth safely!!!!


This may have been the most magnificent movie I have ever seen.  If you have a chance to see it in IMAX, GO!!!

The last time I went to see a movie in a theater was the original Jurassic Park.  I don't think many movies when I wait to see them on DVD or other format are all that good so I need a really good reason to go.  This was worth returning to the theater after a number of decades.

I watched everything about the Apollo missions I could when I was a kid when they were happening.  Hearing Walter Cronkite's voice early in this movie transported me back to 1969.  It showed things I never imagined I would see.  The landing sequence on the Moon made me understand  more than I ever have before what the landing area was like.  Watching the images of the Moon pass beneath the orbiting Command Module was the clearest images I've ever seen of the Moon from that perspective.  The launch sequence was immersive.  You feel like you are there.

This movie is Oscar worthy for cinematography, sounding editing, best picture, etc.  I have yet to see a movie that won best picture that I thought was as good as this.  The way they edited the footage is shear artistic genius.

If you have kids, bring them.  Tell your friends.  Do not miss this.

I have met a few of the people that you will see in this picture.  I am so impressed with what they and our nation did.  If someone doesn't understand the magnitude of this accomplishment, they will most likely do so after seeing this movie.

The movie First Man portrayed Neil Armstrong in a light that many people thought was too dour and sad.  In this movie when you see him speak coming out of quarantine, you see a look of content satisfaction on his face.  This is how you want to portray something of such a positive historical magnitude.  It didn't have to be interpreted by an actor.  It was the actual event.  You could see his feeling of pride an accomplishment in his face.  It was so satisfying to see.

If you haven't got the hint yet, go to this movie.

[yatpay]

Does anybody know if there is information about where the footage came from? Two particular sequences that jumped out at me were the long shot of Eagle approaching Columbia on ascent, and the shot of the engine firing for TLI. I know the whole point of this film is that much of this footage had never been seen before, but I wasn't even aware the TLI shot could be possible.

For anyone on the fence, this film is a must-see. It completely blew me away.

[Star One]

Box Office performance from Deadline.

NEON/CNN Films Apollo 11 doc played in 120 sites, earning an estimated $1.3M for a $10.8K screen average. The film has a 100% certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

https://deadline.com/2019/03/madea-famliy-funeral-how-to-train-your-dragon-weekend-box-office-1202567796/

Is it even being released outside the US as it has no global release dates at all?

[Mark K]

Just got back from seeing it. Well worth it.
I think the most beautiful shot was the liftoff. The gleaming silver capsule on top of the almost glowing rocket.
Just a note the film is about 90 minutes long and liftoff isn't til 35 or so minutes in. But the pre stuff was awesome.
Also, stay till the end of the credits. That is really the end of the documentary as well.

It is a neat documentary in that there is no after the fact (from now) narration at all. All the sound except for music is from  footage from the time like Walter Cronkite, radio channels, etc.

[orbitjunkie]

I just saw the movie, it was truly incredible. If you want to see this in IMAX, full length, this week is your only chance. If you're willing to shortchange yourself and see it shortened in IMAX or full length not-IMAX, they will be other chances. You know what the right choice is...

"As a piece of documentary filmmaking, Apollo 11 is 50-year-old history made real and immediate right before your eyes in a thrilling 93-minute experience. Honestly, I’ve never seen the like of it. I was a year and a half old when this mission happened, but I’ve studied it my entire life. Now I feel as if I was there in person, a feeling made all the more powerful in large format IMAX. If you have any interest at all in seeing this film, IMAX is absolutely the way to do so."

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/columns/my-two-cents/030119-1400

[Hodapp]

This movie hands down is the greatest Apollo 11 documentary ever!  The only way to experience this movie is in IMAX! Saw it this morning/afternoon!  The lead up to liftoff and liftoff itself was as if I was actually there experiencing it with the other crowd of onlookers!  Just amazing! My heart was pounding!  Then you as an audience got to ride right with the crew and all the other playmakers to the glorious end! Just Wow! I was so mesmerized that the movie was over before I knew it.  I wanted to stay and watch it again immediately, unfortunately had other things to do.  I will definitely try to see one more time this week before its done its IMAX run.

[theinternetftw]

Just got back from it.  This will be the definitive visual record of Apollo 11.

[tyrred]

I took a friend to see the Apollo 11 film tonight, at the Pacific Science Center "Boeing" IMAX.  Awesome.  Just... Wicked.  Awesome.

Theater was maybe 1/3rd full, but the spirit of the room was... reverent.  At the end of closing credits, there was a pregnant pause, so I started a round of applause.

This is truly a 50th anniversary spectacle.

*Interesting side note, (mods delete if necessary), before the film I met a woman at the concession stand with a Blue Origin sweatshirt, and in casual conversation asked her if she worked there (yes) and when would New Glenn be ready to launch (2024).

[mme]

I saw it yesterday with my girlfriend and two other friends at an IMAX. First, I'm glad I saw it in an IMAX - it was big and occasionally loud and I think it will go down in history as a masterpiece. My friends and girlfriend who are not spaceflight enthusiasts loved it. They found the explanatory animations really helpful - they really are genius in their simplicity and clarity to explain docking with the LEM, translunar injection, the bbq role, etc. Everyone was blown away by the scale of the Saturn V, the size of the teams in support and the huge crowds. Like others I found myself nervous during the launch. The new footage of the launch is so clear and vibrant it almost looks like CGI.

I saw it at the Universal City IMAX near Los Angeles on a rainy Saturday afternoon. I'd say the theater was 75% full, so not bad given current trends in theaters. I had a number of friends that couldn't make the trip this weekend that I will be taking to the general release (hopefully it will play somewhere relatively close.) The moment this movie is available for purchase, I am buying it.

[RocketLover0119]

Saw it yesterday, was an amazing experience, would kill to watch again.

The Quality of some of the footage was amazing considering when the mission happened, and I thought it was even better not having an actual narrator, made you feel like you were actually watching live footage of it happening.

[RotoSequence]

Feeling the sound of the launch in your chest with the crystal clear footage of the Saturn V is worth the price of admission all by itself. 

[jg]

 Great movie.  Maybe best documentary of the year, though Peter Jackson's ww1 movie will give it competition.

[GpsGseEng]

Just some of the things to go see it for:
- The transporter shots taking the Saturn V to the pad
- The helicopter ride over the crowd on the beach with the sound of the engine and blades pounding
- Period beach wear
- Rows on rows of technicians in front of consoles
- Writing notes on the scrolling telemetry paper during suit up
- Saturn V launch sequence
- "I promise to let you know if I stop breathing"
- The faces behind the voices in Mission Control
- The real size of the craters and boulders during landing
- "Understand we are number 1 on the runway"
- Neil's Thank You broadcast
- The USS Hornet
- Real epic drama in space affecting humans on the Earth
Reason to see it in the theater:
Even though it wasn't packed, having an audience (at least half under 50 years old) who cracked up over Astronaut and Mission Control dry humor during an epic journey was a plus.

[Oersted]

Haven't seen it yet (can't wait) but I'm happy to hear that the documentary hasn't interspersed the narrative with later interviews of the protagonists. These people were young and accomplished the Moon landing in their prime. Seeing them many years later, old and fragile (in other films) often injects a note of sadness or wistfulness.

[zubenelgenubi]

"Apollo 11" will exclusively launch into IMAX theaters for one week only beginning March 1, followed by a wide release into movie theaters on March 8.

http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-021419a-apollo-11-documentary-imax-release.html

<snip>

I saw your name in the credits!

Are there any other NSF members involved in the production (1969 or current)?

For those who have or will be screening this at a Smithsonian IMAX theater--I'm glad you liked it.

I saw it yesterday with my girlfriend and two other friends at an IMAX. First, I'm glad I saw it in an IMAX - it was big and occasionally loud and I think it will go down in history as a masterpiece.
<snip>

(An observation on audio levels in "documentary" IMAX theaters--my experience is that whoever is in charge believes in turning the volume up to 11.  Same goes for commercial theaters.  If it ain't shaking dust or plaster down from above, it's not LOUD enough!)

Oh yes--the film is magnificent!

[RotoSequence]

(An observation on audio levels in "documentary" IMAX theaters--my experience is that whoever is in charge believes in turning the volume up to 11.  Same goes for commercial theaters.  If it ain't shaking dust or plaster down from above, it's not LOUD enough!)

Oh yes--the film is magnificent!

I was entirely upset with the excessive volume during the previews and commercials. It got better once the movie started, but it was still too loud. Then the F-1s fired up, and everything was perfect. 

[daveglo]

Got back from the movie a while ago.  Three words: Wow, Wow, and Wow!  Having watched the event over those nine July days back in '69, and having soaked up as much stuff as is available on sites like this, I was blown away by the quality of the remastering and production!  I was transported back to those nine days, and have been doing nothing but reminiscing since.

For those venting about the audio: come on, man!  It's ROCKETS.  And with us older folk, loud is welcome.

Top moments:
Guy on launch tower crankin down valve bolts while the crew is loading.
Johnny Carson in a goofy sunshade.
'60 styles. . .well . . no.
Brute force engineering.
Launch.  Gonna watch this about 10 times in a row when it comes out online. 7.5M pounds of AWESOME.
The panorama of Tranquility Base.  Just breathtaking.
New (to me) angle on that First Step.

Look, go enjoy it while it's on IMAX, if you can.  That's an amazing experience!

[MATTBLAK]

You guys are going to love this. Or then again; maybe not...

Myself and a friend have been making enquiries at my countries only IMAX theater, to see if there are plans to play the movie here. The manager said sorry, no.

But then he asked: "What's the film about?"
Me: "Apollo 11 - the first manned lunar landing in 1969 by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin".
Manager (confused): "Er... Don't you mean 'First Man', that film about Neil Armstrong? That's been and gone months ago and is out on DVD now."
Me: "Yes, I know. I'm talking about a documentary made from restored, archive 70mm footage."
Manager: (Pause, then more confusion) "Documentary?! You mean, that character than Ryan Gosling played was a real person?!"
Me: (Sighs) "Yes. And the Moonlandings - all six of them - actually happened between 1969 and 1972. How old are you, mate?"
Manager: "I'm 33. Look; I'm sorry... I saw a documentary on TV a couple years back about how the Moonlandings were faked and I thought that was accurate and real!."

You just cannot make this sh1t up...

[Eric Hedman]

Myself and a friend have been making enquiries at my countries only IMAX theater, to see if there are plans to play the movie here. The manager said sorry, no.

You must go up the ladder and find out who owns the theater.  Tell them to get this movie.   Explain to them what they'll be missing.  To be a member on this site not be able to go see this movie in IMAX is a horrible travesty and an injustice. 

[MATTBLAK]

I couldn't get them to play '2001: A Space Odyssey' last year during that film's 50th Anniversary. Film Director Peter Jackson had some private exhibitions of that film, as he owns a couple 70mm prints of it and the equipment to show it. New Zealand is a little different - most theaters and theater chains here really don't give a rat's. Nevertheless; I will persist.

[mme]

You guys are going to love this. Or then again; maybe not...

Myself and a friend have been making enquiries at my countries only IMAX theater, to see if there are plans to play the movie here. The manager said sorry, no.

But then he asked: "What's the film about?"
Me: "Apollo 11 - the first manned lunar landing in 1969 by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin".
Manager (confused): "Er... Don't you mean 'First Man', that film about Neil Armstrong? That's been and gone months ago and is out on DVD now."
Me: "Yes, I know. I'm talking about a documentary made from restored, archive 70mm footage."
Manager: (Pause, then more confusion) "Documentary?! You mean, that character than Ryan Gosling played was a real person?!"
Me: (Sighs) "Yes. And the Moonlandings - all six of them - actually happened between 1969 and 1972. How old are you, mate?"
Manager: "I'm 33. Look; I'm sorry... I saw a documentary on TV a couple years back about how the Moonlandings were faked and I thought that was accurate and real!."

You just cannot make this sh1t up...

I liked your post only because this site lacks a facepalm button. I had a recent conversation with a friend who admitted he used to believe the moon landing was a hoax. I was dumbfounded. Now he thinks the landings are real but "a couple" of the photos are fake. I was a couple Martinis down so I decided to leave it at, "we'll dissect that later but there is no reason for any of the photos to be fake and lighting without an atmosphere should look 'wrong' to us."

Back on topic, hopefully you can see it on a big (non-IMAX sadly) screen when it's in general release.

[AS_501]

Great movie.  I think the launch was actually Apollo 15 or 16.  Reentry view out the CM window was puzzling.  Did the CM roll during part of the reentry?  That might have been the Apollo 9 reentry.  Also, I think the Apollo 11 reentry occurred in darkness.

[zubenelgenubi]

Did the CM roll during part of the reentry?

IIRC, yes.  Rolling the CM moved the off-set-from-axial-center of gravity, and allowed some steering of the entry trajectory from a simple ballistic entry.

[TomH]

WOW!..........just WOW! That really took me back. I was there for the launch and was a complete space nerd at 14 y.o. What we accomplished! I loved that every last element was primary source. It brought back so many details...so many feelings of pride in our engineering and technology.

I saw us reach Luna in my childhood and hope to feel that same pride and excitement once again in my old age by seeing SpaceX place astronauts on Mars.

[Fequalsma]

I got to see Apollo 11 today in IMAX - it was... amazing!
F=ma

[goretexguy]

Took my sons (ages 12 and 14) to see this. Best moment: the launch sequence, during which my boys were frozen, mouths open and staring at the screen, with popcorn slowly falling from their motionless hands into their laps.
After getting home, they spent hours watching related videos on YouTube and talking about the documentary.
Thank you to those who worked so hard on this film. It gave my boys a sense of awe, wonder and interest in the monumental achievements that their lives are built upon.

[MATTBLAK]

Took my sons (ages 12 and 14) to see this. Best moment: the launch sequence, during which my boys were frozen, mouths open and staring at the screen, with popcorn slowly falling from their motionless hands into their laps.
After getting home, they spent hours watching related videos on YouTube and talking about the documentary.
Thank you to those who worked so hard on this film. It gave my boys a sense of awe, wonder and interest in the monumental achievements that their lives are built upon.

If I could double like your post; I would!! You're bringing them up right, Sir!

[Star One]

Any update if this is getting a U.K. release as would rather see it on a big screen than just waiting for it to come to disc or streaming?

You guys are going to love this. Or then again; maybe not...

Myself and a friend have been making enquiries at my countries only IMAX theater, to see if there are plans to play the movie here. The manager said sorry, no.

But then he asked: "What's the film about?"
Me: "Apollo 11 - the first manned lunar landing in 1969 by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin".
Manager (confused): "Er... Don't you mean 'First Man', that film about Neil Armstrong? That's been and gone months ago and is out on DVD now."
Me: "Yes, I know. I'm talking about a documentary made from restored, archive 70mm footage."
Manager: (Pause, then more confusion) "Documentary?! You mean, that character than Ryan Gosling played was a real person?!"
Me: (Sighs) "Yes. And the Moonlandings - all six of them - actually happened between 1969 and 1972. How old are you, mate?"
Manager: "I'm 33. Look; I'm sorry... I saw a documentary on TV a couple years back about how the Moonlandings were faked and I thought that was accurate and real!."

You just cannot make this sh1t up...

This is weird. I was born after Apollo had finished but I’ve never thought they were fake. So I don’t see he can use his age as an excuse.

[rob2507]

Amazing. That was the only word I could think of to describe this movie. I've stood underneath the rocket at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, but seeing it in the movie, vertical, fueled and ready for flight? That was just amazing.
The theater probably had about 50-60 people, mostly couples; the woman sitting two seats over from me was literally on the edge of her seat for the countdown and liftoff.
Looks like the movie is only in IMAX through the end of this week--go see it if you can.
(When this comes out on video, I'm going to buy a 60 inch tv so that I can stop at just about every scene and really take it all in!)

[Thorny]

I envy all of you who get to see it in theaters. A quick check of locations shows the nearest theater to me is 5 hours away in Dallas. 

[woods170]

45-Minute version coming to my part of the world on May 21.

https://twitter.com/berendr/status/1100033170219692032

[Oersted]

I can't accept that I would have to settle for a shortened version here in Europe. Time to pester all nearby IMAX theatres for them to get this!

[MATTBLAK]

Any update if this is getting a U.K. release as would rather see it on a big screen than just waiting for it to come to disc or streaming?

You guys are going to love this. Or then again; maybe not...

Myself and a friend have been making enquiries at my countries only IMAX theater, to see if there are plans to play the movie here. The manager said sorry, no.

But then he asked: "What's the film about?"
Me: "Apollo 11 - the first manned lunar landing in 1969 by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin".
Manager (confused): "Er... Don't you mean 'First Man', that film about Neil Armstrong? That's been and gone months ago and is out on DVD now."
Me: "Yes, I know. I'm talking about a documentary made from restored, archive 70mm footage."
Manager: (Pause, then more confusion) "Documentary?! You mean, that character than Ryan Gosling played was a real person?!"
Me: (Sighs) "Yes. And the Moonlandings - all six of them - actually happened between 1969 and 1972. How old are you, mate?"
Manager: "I'm 33. Look; I'm sorry... I saw a documentary on TV a couple years back about how the Moonlandings were faked and I thought that was accurate and real!."

You just cannot make this sh1t up...

This is weird. I was born after Apollo had finished but I’ve never thought they were fake. So I don’t see he can use his age as an excuse.

I've met people in their fifties who saw that 'documentary' and now believe in the 'Hoax'. And there are plenty of people in this world of all ages who don't care about space and may not ever have been to a Planetarium or even seen a real documentary - except while channel surfing. Plenty of people thought or do think that NASA shut down when the Shuttles did, or that SpaceX is actually the 'space program'...

[Eric Hedman]

I can't accept that I would have to settle for a shortened version here in Europe. Time to pester all nearby IMAX theatres for them to get this!

A short version will be better than no version.  But there is nothing I would want edited out of the version I saw.

[Star One]

Any update if this is getting a U.K. release as would rather see it on a big screen than just waiting for it to come to disc or streaming?

You guys are going to love this. Or then again; maybe not...

Myself and a friend have been making enquiries at my countries only IMAX theater, to see if there are plans to play the movie here. The manager said sorry, no.

But then he asked: "What's the film about?"
Me: "Apollo 11 - the first manned lunar landing in 1969 by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin".
Manager (confused): "Er... Don't you mean 'First Man', that film about Neil Armstrong? That's been and gone months ago and is out on DVD now."
Me: "Yes, I know. I'm talking about a documentary made from restored, archive 70mm footage."
Manager: (Pause, then more confusion) "Documentary?! You mean, that character than Ryan Gosling played was a real person?!"
Me: (Sighs) "Yes. And the Moonlandings - all six of them - actually happened between 1969 and 1972. How old are you, mate?"
Manager: "I'm 33. Look; I'm sorry... I saw a documentary on TV a couple years back about how the Moonlandings were faked and I thought that was accurate and real!."

You just cannot make this sh1t up...

This is weird. I was born after Apollo had finished but I’ve never thought they were fake. So I don’t see he can use his age as an excuse.

I've met people in their fifities who saw that 'documentary' and now believe in the 'Hoax'. And there are plenty of people in this world of all ages who don't care about space and may not have been to a Planetarium or even seen a real documentary - except while channel surfing. Plenty of people thought or do think that NASA shut down when the Shuttles did, or that SpaceX is actually the 'space program'...

That’s just depressing, but I already know the truth of what you are saying.

[OxCartMark]

Just got home from seeing it.  In short, awesome, go see it tonight or tomorrow or you'll only be able to see the cut down version.  Go see it now.

Observations / Thoughts -

- Its worth $13 to see the launch or even the crawler transporter footage
- The long (time) shot of the rocket as you go up the elevator is priceless
- I'm curious if the launch sound was real or recreated, not what I was expecting
- The stick figure animations to explain what was happening were oversimplified to the point of being misleading
- I was surprised at how rapidly the LM came down.  They had a display with altitude and remaining fuel and it was truly scary.  Like, 3:00 and 40k feet.  Very rapid descent between 40k and 1k feet.
- During CM or LM burns there were 'real time' speed indicators but I wasn't convinced they were real, reasons benig a) increases in acceleration happened more rapidly than I would expect for fixed mass vs. propellant mass present in those scenarios, b) acceleration continued to taper off for 5-10 seconds after shutoff, it doesn't take this long does it? (Falcon 1)
- Scenes of the naval recovery fleet in action at sea (and the folding of their aircraft) was interesting
- Clothing, cars, cameras, hair styles from that period were interesting to see again.  Real, high res, not from Hollywood.
- Interesting to see the floor of VAB full of workers that had made it possible gathered to see and hear it happening.
- Rows and rows of paper strip chart recorders and the people that tend them.  Not sure its done that way anymore.
- I've always heard the story about diverting over the boulder field but hadn't seen it and it makes total sense.
- The approach of LM to CSM was shockingly fast, ~ 1 minute from it being a fly at arms length to being feet away.  Shocking in contrast to how visiting vehicles approach ISS or the speed at which anything controlled by NASA moves now.
- One key takeaway for me was hearing Kennedy's May 1961 speech in which he said;
       "and do all this, and do it right, and do it first before this decade is out--then we must be bold."
  That word bold stood out to me.  Apollo was bold, vastly bold.  And it seems that most of what NASA has done since then has gone against Kennedy's advice, seems they are striving for not screwing up.  We need Bold.  In the mean time I'll be over watching the SpaceX channel.

Go See This Movie!

edit March 7th:  Went back and saw it again this afternoon.

[leovinus]

Just back from the Smithsonian Air & Space IMAX here in DC where we saw the movie. Wow, just wow.

I was only three when the Eagle landed. After seeing all the still pictures and reading books about Apollo as a kid, making photos of the moon with my 6” telescope, this documentary brings it all together, alive actually.

The endless rows of consoles in launch control, going through maxQ in crisp detail, flying over the moon and perceiving depth in the craters was glorious. The landing with the sequence of 1202 overrides, gripping.  The newfound films and original audio in IMAX just blew me away. The amount of small and new details in there will need time to digest. The LM chasing CSM, the reentry flames, the crawler moving, etc.

And when you leave the Smithonian then an Apollo lander is waiting for you as bonus.

Engineering, team work and inspiration in spades.

Ad astra

[flyright]

I was living in Japan during Apollo 11 and watched it on Japanese TV with an occasional bit of audio getting thru in English. It was great to relive this experience in vivid IMAX.
Glad I brought ear protection. 

[joema]

... Two particular sequences that jumped out at me were the long shot of Eagle approaching Columbia on ascent, and the shot of the engine firing for TLI. I know the whole point of this film is that much of this footage had never been seen before, but I wasn't even aware the TLI shot could be possible....

I had the same reaction. The very brief TLI shot was nothing like this ground-based TLI shot of Apollo 8 from a telescope: https://airandspace.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/callout_half/public/images/editoral-stories/thumbnails/Apollo%208%20TLI%20-3.jpg?itok=3o2Cv-xN

It was much more detailed and apparently shot from beneath/behind the S-IVB. There was no sign of atmospheric distortion, so it must have been shot from another spacecraft. I don't think it was a recreation as the filmmakers seemed consistent on using only period material.

I don't remember the ground track at TLI, but if it was over Hawaii it's theoretically possible the Air Force ARPA Midcourse Optical Station (which was active then) could have imaged it using large telescopes at over 10,000 ft. However adaptive optics did not exist then so I doubt it was from this source: https://www.darpa.mil/about-us/timeline/amos

There is a similar shot obtained during Apollo 9. Maybe it was that: https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-g7kvt6s/0/47324c1e/X3/i-g7kvt6s-X3.jpg

Re the long film sequence of Eagle approaching Columbia during lunar rendezvous, I think that was just the usual 16mm Maurer film camera. The 130-ft film magazine would last 3.6 minutes at 24 fps and 7.2 minutes at 12 fps. It's interesting the film was very grainy and the filmmakers apparently did not use modern noise reduction methods in post production on that sequence. This was certainly an intentional artistic choice, maybe for authenticity or improved shot-to-shot consistency with other film that would not respond similarly.

[jongoff]

That was great. I'm glad someone talked me into watching that on IMAX. I took my boys (14,12, and almost 10). I had seen bits and pieces of Apollo footage, but I was born almost a decade after the Apollo program wound down, so this is the closest I've ever gotten to being there to watch one of those missions.

The  boys all really enjoyed it, though admittedly I spoiled them young by letting them watch one of our flights at Masten from waaaaaaay too close.

~Jon

[jgoldader]

Saw it tonight, what a wonderful tribute to all who made it happen.  The angle right below the rising Saturn just took my breath away.  Here’s hoping a 4K release is coming!

[mike robel]

My wife and I just got back.  It was almost as good as me watching it leave in July of 68.  It also makes me sad.  It has taken us longer to get back to US manned launchers delivering astronauts to space than it did to get to the moon almost from scratch.  We seem to have left our boldness somewhere.

While waiting in the concession line, there was a guy from Space X in front of me.  I congratulated him on recent events and told him you all were doing good work.  It's impressive to see from here.  Not quite a Saturn V but cool.  Especially double stick landings.

[gtae07]

The nearest showing is 600 miles away   

Guess I'll be waiting for the home version...

[OxCartMark]

I had the same reaction. The very brief TLI shot was nothing like this ground-based TLI shot of Apollo 8 from a telescope: https://airandspace.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/callout_half/public/images/editoral-stories/thumbnails/Apollo%208%20TLI%20-3.jpg?itok=3o2Cv-xN

It was much more detailed and apparently shot from beneath/behind the S-IVB. There was no sign of atmospheric distortion, so it must have been shot from another spacecraft. I don't think it was a recreation as the filmmakers seemed consistent on using only period material.

I don't remember the ground track at TLI, but if it was over Hawaii it's theoretically possible the Air Force ARPA Midcourse Optical Station (which was active then) could have imaged it using large telescopes at over 10,000 ft. However adaptive optics did not exist then so I doubt it was from this source: https://www.darpa.mil/about-us/timeline/amos

There is a similar shot obtained during Apollo 9. Maybe it was that: https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-g7kvt6s/0/47324c1e/X3/i-g7kvt6s-X3.jpg

I came across some information on this in a NYT article on this film -

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/movies/apollo11-documentary.html

Miller was focused on keeping the re-creation as to-the-minute as possible. “We did have kind of our own mission rules,” he explained. “We said, if it didn’t happen on that day at that specific time, we’re not using it.”

But he occasionally broke from that purist approach. To show a solar corona phenomenon that the astronauts speak of, Miller said, he used a shot from Apollo 12. During the moments showing the translunar injection maneuver — the propulsive push that sent Apollo 11 toward the moon — Miller used a shot from Apollo 8. He hopes to document these liberties and other aspects of the filmmaking process in a production journal.

-----

later ed/add: Wait, if we're talking about the shot where the 3rd stage moves away from the top of the 2nd with 3 ullage motors and fires its engine when ~200 feet away (is that what you're talking about?) that wouldn't be TLI but rather the first firing of the 3rd stage to finish off getting to orbit.  In that shot that I'm thinking of the camera is clearly in the top of the 2nd stage because you can see the inside of the cylinder (ribs & skin etc.) in the shot.  And the camera would have been ejected for sea recovery.

What I'm thinking of is shown in the first seconds of these: 




ed/add #2:  This story of how TLI was recorded from the ground in Hawaii - https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/photographing-apollo-8s-orbit-toward-moon

[Oersted]

I must applaud Miller's commitment to stick to genuine Apollo 11 footage except on the rare occasions where he is obliged to use footage from other Apollo missions to show a specific event. So refreshing in today's "anything goes"-environment, where documentarists bend all rules for effect.

[ehb]

I see at both Smithsonian Air & Space IMAXs https://airandspace.si.edu/theater-type/lockheed-martin-imax-theater and https://airandspace.si.edu/theater-type/airbus-imax-theater they are continuing to show it and in full length.  I hope they continue at least one of them until I get a chance to get to DC later this spring.  I'll extend my visit to make time for this.

[joema]

NYT: "During the moments showing the translunar injection maneuver — the propulsive push that sent Apollo 11 toward the moon — Miller used a shot from Apollo 8..."

....later ed/add: Wait, if we're talking about the shot where the 3rd stage moves away from the top of the 2nd with 3 ullage motors and fires its engine when ~200 feet away (is that what you're talking about?) that wouldn't be TLI but rather the first firing of the 3rd stage to finish off getting to orbit....

In the movie it was a very quick shot -- less than 2 sec, maybe 1.5 sec. It was shaking,  unstabilized footage of the S-IVB firing as viewed from below and behind. It looked unlike any of the separation shots from the S-II I've seen. It was very close -- I was actually shocked to see it. Had it not been such a stringent documentary I'd have said it was faked.

It had to be taken from space, as it was very detailed and clear with no atmospheric distortion. The only camera in space to take such a shot was on Apollo 9 where the astronauts photographed the S-IVB re-ignition. The movie version looked roughly like this but more detailed and shaking a lot: https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-g7kvt6s/0/47324c1e/X3/i-g7kvt6s-X3.jpg

In the Apollo 9 air/ground transcript, Jim McDivitt estimated they were only 1,000 ft (!!) away from the S-IVB when it ignited. They shot about 10 sec of 16mm film of that process. The shot in the movie must have been this. I don't think there was any other opportunity on any mission. The NYT statement about Apollo 8 must have meant Apollo 9. On Apollo 8 the S-IVB J-2 engine never re-ignited after separation from the CSM.

[OxCartMark]

I don't recall the scene in the movie but I get what you are saying and not what I was pointing to above.

Seems like I recall hearing of someone setting their CSM insanely close behind when it fired and maybe the 1000' you cite is it.  That seems the only possible explanation.

[IanO]

Just saw it at a local theatre with our rocketry club.  An outstanding documentary!  I'm glad someone pointed out the editing, for it was indeed very well crafted.  This deserves to win all the documentary awards this year.  A true labor of love. I am so, so happy this rare footage was not lost to the ravages of time.

[cebri]

Still no news about whether we'll be able to watch it in IMAX here in the EU. 

[zubenelgenubi]

A note re: 65mm film footage used in Apollo 11:

Be on the look-out for the LC-39 A/B/C "traffic light" that many NSF members love.  It appears early in the film, during the crawler transport to the pad.

(The 39C portion of the sign is cropped out.   It was already obsolete by the summer of '69.)

[Silmfeanor]

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/14/opinion/apollo-11-documentary-neil-armstrong.html

I thought it appropriate to link this review and opinion piece.

Looking forward to catching a glimpse of this movie when it shows in Europe!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Brief video about the making of the film:

[Oersted]

Still no news about whether we'll be able to watch it in IMAX here in the EU. 

I wrote a message to my local IMAX theatre and heavily enveighed on them to get it. If enough people do the same maybe the will do it!

[JohnF]

Saw it last night, went into it with curious/low expectation, after the let down of "First Man", came away very impressed, this will be known as THE movie on Apollo 11, the editing is very good, sounds are great, 70mm film great, and Walter Cronkite !, it takes you back to that July, the movie is spot on. if you can't see it in theaters for sure buy the Blu Ray/4K.

[RedLineTrain]

Yes, this will be the definitive Apollo 11 documentary.  And well deserved.  A little bit to please everyone, but substantive for those demanding such stuff.  I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Saw it at the Air & Space Museum Dulles.  A good crowd, but not quite sold out.  They are still playing it once a day.

[Blackstar]

https://messagecanada.ca/2019/03/22/ben-feists-giant-leap-from-advertising-to-nasa-and-the-red-carpet-at-sundance/?fbclid=IwAR3fMULsx5jhgvyV9oqX-RM-ADKAZBMTJpBeyLdPjO46_Yn6GcsjCLbQqQM

[Wicky]

UK showing at the Science Museum, London

To coincide with the anniversary of this extraordinary moment, we will be screening Apollo 11: First Steps at our IMAX Cinema from 17 May 2019.

This thrilling 45-minute cinematic experience showcases the real-life moments of the Moon landing using never-before-seen 70mm footage and audio recordings from NASA's vaults.

https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/apollo-11-first-steps

[Oersted]

...Aargh, it is the 45-minute version...

[Mark K]

UK showing at the Science Museum, London

To coincide with the anniversary of this extraordinary moment, we will be screening Apollo 11: First Steps at our IMAX Cinema from 17 May 2019.

This thrilling 45-minute cinematic experience showcases the real-life moments of the Moon landing using never-before-seen 70mm footage and audio recordings from NASA's vaults.

https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/apollo-11-first-steps

45 minute means it is the edited one. Too bad. the full one didn't feel like there was much filler in it. But I am sure it will be good!

[OxCartMark]

I had the same reaction. The very brief TLI shot was nothing like this ground-based TLI shot of Apollo 8 from a telescope: https://airandspace.si.edu/sites/default/files/styles/callout_half/public/images/editoral-stories/thumbnails/Apollo%208%20TLI%20-3.jpg?itok=3o2Cv-xN

It was much more detailed and apparently shot from beneath/behind the S-IVB. There was no sign of atmospheric distortion, so it must have been shot from another spacecraft. I don't think it was a recreation as the filmmakers seemed consistent on using only period material.

Scott Manley dug fairly deeply into this and here's the answer -

Apparently he reads here.

[OxCartMark]

If I understand the collaboration between the film makers and the government archivists I think(?) that all of the large format film or a very large subset of it was scanned and digitized.  So its in a government archive?  And available to anyone?  Perhaps obtainable online?  And not copyrighted or otherwise restricted in its use?  So what's to keep someone else, perhaps one or more of our own video perpetrators from making a longer film of similar quality?  Or what's to keep us from watching chunks of  the raw film in our spare time?  Perhaps we form a group to watch it and categorize / rank it for the benefit of the person that will edit it into a whole?   Where is it stored at again?

edit:  Here's a start but doesn't seem to lead directly by itself to the treasure trove - https://www.archives.gov/news/articles/apollo-11-footage-debuts-in-new-documentary

[edkyle99]

I finally saw it today.  It is still in a few theaters here a month after its release.  Superior!  A fine historical document that like Apollo itself represents the meticulous work of many. 

 - Ed Kyle

[OxCartMark]

I finally saw it today.

Was it the 90 minute version or 4x minute version?

[edkyle99]

I finally saw it today.

Was it the 90 minute version or 4x minute version?

The 93 minute Todd Douglas Miller/Neon documentary that is this thread's focus.

 - Ed Kyle

[w9gb]

Ed -
Congrats in getting opportunity to see the 93 minute film.
What did you think of the LC39 Firing Room sequence from the back racks, with the pen analog recorders, moving forward panning the contractor’s trenches?  Long time ago touching equipment from that era.

greg

[edkyle99]

Ed -
Congrats in getting opportunity to see the 93 minute film.
What did you think of the LC39 Firing Room sequence from the back racks, with the pen analog recorders, moving forward panning the contractor’s trenches?  Long time ago touching equipment from that era.

greg

The control room scenes at KSC and Houston were fascinating.  So many people!  Coffee cups and cigs and candy wrappers everywhere (we couldn't have beverages during STS era in CITE control rooms).  I could almost read the writing on papers on console desks.  Push buttons and switches and CRTs.  Incandescent indicator lamps.  Dial telephones.  A humming analog universe. 

By the way, my wife appreciated the simple graphical interludes that illustrated the progression of the mission.  Those clearly explain what was, after all, a very complicated mission to anyone who has never been immersed in spaceflight history.  The graphics prompted multiple, good questions.  "So they just threw away the lunar lander?"  "How did they find each other in lunar orbit?" (asked during that terrific scene of the LM ascent stage appearing as a tiny dot moving across the lunar surface.)  "How are they going to slow down?" (asked as the CM approached the Earth with a 25,000 mph-ish and accelerating velocity displayed).             

 - Ed Kyle     

[theinternetftw]

Looks like the Blu-ray and DVD will be out May 14th.

https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Blu-ray-Todd-Douglas-Miller/dp/B07NHRC3KH

[MATTBLAK]

Looks like the Blu-ray and DVD will be out May 14th.

https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Blu-ray-Todd-Douglas-Miller/dp/B07NHRC3KH

So far - no region free release, nor any region other than A1 That means that foreigners like me wont be able to watch it on anything other than my desktop PC drive, or find some software to crack it...

[Oersted]

Looks like the Blu-ray and DVD will be out May 14th.

https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Blu-ray-Todd-Douglas-Miller/dp/B07NHRC3KH

So far - no region free release, nor any region other than A1 That means that foreigners like me wont be able to watch it on anything other than my desktop PC drive, or find some software to crack it...

Disappointing and stupid. They're practically asking for it to be pirated which will of course happen fast.

[jgoldader]

I’ll get the Blu, but had been hoping for a 4K release.  Maybe they’ll have one later?

[edkyle99]

Looks like the Blu-ray and DVD will be out May 14th.

https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Blu-ray-Todd-Douglas-Miller/dp/B07NHRC3KH

So far - no region free release, nor any region other than A1 That means that foreigners like me wont be able to watch it on anything other than my desktop PC drive, or find some software to crack it...

Disappointing and stupid. They're practically asking for it to be pirated which will of course happen fast.

NEON has the worldwide distribution rights, so hopefully will release outside the U.S. at some point.  It is a highly rated film, but not a big money-maker even in the U.S.

 - Ed Kyle

[Coastal Ron]

An interview with the director and space historian of the Apollo 11 film:

Apollo 11 Director Interview: Editing 11,000 Hours of Footage – /Film

During the 2019 SXSW Film Festival, I sat down with Apollo 11 director Todd Douglas Miller and space historian Robert Pearlman.

This is a film that I fell in love with from the moment that I saw it during the world premiere at the Ray during Sundance.  While I regret that I was unable to see the film on an IMAX screen, Apollo 11 is one of those films that you must experience on the biggest screen you can find. It’s not often that a documentary crosses over into the editing category during awards ceremonies, Apollo 11 is one of those films that I hope people strongly consider for Best Editing.

[Oersted]

Thanks for the interview link, Ron. The interviewer did a very amateurish job with the write-up, I must say.

[theinternetftw]

Pinging this thread with a reminder that the Blu-ray/DVD will be out (in the US at least) next week (May 14th).

[ugordan]

[Oersted]

Fantastic preview, thanks for the link!

It really bothers me that they won't release it (yet...) in UHD. Releasing in Blu-ray with barely any extras on the disk.... Well, that just looks like a blatant money-grab by Universal. You can be sure that in a years' time they will release the UHD disk with extras and all, so a maximum number of people will end up buying it twice.

Given that all the footage and audio this documentary is based on is public property from the National Archives it feels a bit wrong to me. Of course a lot of work went into editing and producing the documentary but that doesn't mean they should squeeze the lemon like that.

[MATTBLAK]

It looks as though now there might be a release in other Blu-Ray regions at the end of the year. That's the good news. The bad news is that on nearly every Amazon site: Flat Earthers and 'Hoaxtards' are lining up to 'review bomb' the film and denigrate Apollo as much as they can. I urge people who have seen it to counteract this garbage by posting positive reviews on Amazon!

[theinternetftw]

It looks as though now there might be a release in other Blu-Ray regions at the end of the year.

E.g. it looks like there's a UK release on Nov 4th.

[Hog]

As soon as I heard the rumble of piston engines and the sound of a "tracked vehicle", I automatically knew that we were going to see a scene featuring a Mobile Launcher riding on a Crawler Transporter.

True to form, Apollo-11 did in fact launch from Mobile Launcher-1(ML-1) which later would become Mobile Launcher Platform-3(MLP-3) for Shuttle usage..

AWESOME!!!!

[ugordan]

The moment that bass drone at 3:53 kicked in gave me goosebumps. I guess I am too much of a nerd since I understood the 5 flick switches thrown in that scene, but it raised a question as to why the fuel level sensors apparently were only available on outboard engines 1 and 2?

I would think that knowing when each engine had its fuel intake depleted and if it was before LOX depletion would be of primary importance as fuel depletion before LOX is usually more "bad" than LOX depletion before fuel.

[Hobbes-22]

Wouldn't the fuel level sensors be in the tank, rather than the intake pipes? If you run the engines until you can measure 'no fuel' in the intake pipes, you'd be cutting it very close to shut down the engines in time.

[jak Kennedy]

Looks like the Blu-ray and DVD will be out May 14th.

https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Blu-ray-Todd-Douglas-Miller/dp/B07NHRC3KH

So far - no region free release, nor any region other than A1 That means that foreigners like me wont be able to watch it on anything other than my desktop PC drive, or find some software to crack it...

You can usually change the region on players. Sometimes only once though so check. But many players can be set to all regions. If you Google you model you should find instructions.

[mme]

It's now on the Apple iTunes store (at least in the US). There are 2 extras, nothing that isn't already on youtube.

I still love this movie. So well done.

[jgoldader]

My copy was delivered today.  I'm hoping there will be a 4K later with a good selection of extras.  Will be watching it with my kids this weekend.

[GpsGseEng]

If my family will have it - it's going to be part of an Apollo 50th Party.
Hot dogs, beach chairs, and a movie. The neighbors might hear rumbling sounds.

It's on Google Play now. I'm not waiting to for July to watch it though. They may be tired of it by then.

[cebri]

Not yet available here in Spain (EU). 

[FutureSpaceTourist]

E.g. it looks like there's a UK release on Nov 4th.

Thanks for posting. For those interested it’s on Amazon UK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07QWNQB7Z?pf_rd_p=330fbd82-d4fe-42e5-9c16-d4b886747c64&pf_rd_r=HZ03P5YCHF97ZEDBGZ4E

[woods170]

For all Dutch members of this forum:


- The 45 minute version of Apollo 11 is currently running at the Omniversum IMAX theatre in The Hague.
- The full-length 93 minute version of Apollo 11 will be running in Dutch cinemas starting June 27, 2019.


Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2285455-terug-naar-de-maan-met-neil-en-buzz-maar-nu-in-hd.html

[Oersted]

Just watched the 93-minute version and even that one felt short and too hurried. I could happily have watched a ten hour version...

[Hobbes-22]

I just went to see the shorter version at the Omniversum. The film is stunning, and on such a large screen it really conveys the scale of the hardware. The period narration was wonderful (although some of the radio comms could use subtitles).

The venue (an Omnimax dome) is not the best for it, though. The film is not designed for dome projection, so everything was distorted. I also saw 'Hubble' (which was filmed using Imax cameras), which was much better in that regard.

[theinternetftw]

Just watched the 93-minute version and even that one felt short and too hurried. I could happily have watched a ten hour version...

Well, since the movie ends with Apollo 12 coming down the pipe, you can pick up with that mission for many, many hours here.

[Oersted]

Thanks. I have the Spacecraft films Apollo dvd's, so I have done lots of Apollo watching in my time!

[tea monster]

Good news for Brits! Apollo 11 is getting a limited release on the 28th of June. This includes an Imax release!

Don't dawdle, as it appears that it's only in cinemas for a week at Showcase, and possibly only 3 days at cineworld (according to their website).

At least we get to see it before November, and on a big screen!

[PahTo]

To be sure:  is the 45 minute version the same film as the 93 minute version (just parts cut out)?
Hopefully it shows the FULL launch sequence and not the typical close up of the F-1s, a couple seconds of flight, and that's it.  The only version I've seen that covers the entire launch sequence/flight/stage separation is the original TV broadcast.

[Comga]

Again, it was positively thrilling to see this in IMAX
It was a particular treat to see the 1969 footage of Firing Room 1 the day before we saw it being used by SpaceX in 2019.
This is though an odd preview. It’s essentially the first nine minutes of the movie.
Fun note:  At exactly 7:00 in the preview we see a technician write on the heartbeat recording data plotter “Gloves on”.
A new, 2019 requirements document for an Orion subsystem includes two for “adequate plotter speed” and “adequate deflection”
Perhaps as we go back to the Moon we may go back to tractor fed data plotters. 

[Marsin2010]

TV premiere of the documentary tonight on CNN at 9 pm ET/PT.

[Rocket Science]

Michael Collins was interviewed on CNN Reliable Sources. Great to see him again, I'm starting to get a bit excited for tonight's airing of Apollo 11!

[Rocket Science]

A magnificent masterpiece!

[catdlr]

TV premiere of the documentary tonight on CNN at 9 pm ET/PT.

Augggghhh.  Missed it.

[Rocket Science]

TV premiere of the documentary tonight on CNN at 9 pm ET/PT.

Augggghhh.  Missed it.

Don't worry Tony, it will be repeated this Saturday at 9pm ET and 12am Sunday morning ET (check your local listings). I watched it back to back as it was repeated last night...
~Rob

[Hog]

It was on CNN last night at 2100hrs and 2300hrs last night (Sunday night).  What I saw was great!

[mtakala24]

It will also get a release in Finnish Imax theatre in Helsinki next month - but only one airing, it appears. Then a short normal tour in selected cinemas.

[catdlr]

TV premiere of the documentary tonight on CNN at 9 pm ET/PT.

Augggghhh.  Missed it.

Don't worry Tony, it will be repeated this Saturday at 9pm ET and 12am Sunday morning ET (check your local listings). I watched it back to back as it was repeated last night...
~Rob

Thanks for the heads up.  I also just noticed that I can view it on demand (free) thru my cable TV Provider.

[DiskOperatingSystem]

I just went to see the shorter version at the Omniversum. The film is stunning, and on such a large screen it really conveys the scale of the hardware. The period narration was wonderful (although some of the radio comms could use subtitles).

The venue (an Omnimax dome) is not the best for it, though. The film is not designed for dome projection, so everything was distorted. I also saw 'Hubble' (which was filmed using Imax cameras), which was much better in that regard.

I'm thinking of seeing it at the Franklin Institute's dome theatre, would you still recommend it? I saw the movie in  regular theatre and this is my only chance to see it in imax. With the distortion, would you still recommend it?

[Star One]

There’s a feature on this film on tonight’s episode of the BBC arts program Front Row.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qsq5/episodes/player

[Hobbes-22]

I just went to see the shorter version at the Omniversum. The film is stunning, and on such a large screen it really conveys the scale of the hardware. The period narration was wonderful (although some of the radio comms could use subtitles).

The venue (an Omnimax dome) is not the best for it, though. The film is not designed for dome projection, so everything was distorted. I also saw 'Hubble' (which was filmed using Imax cameras), which was much better in that regard.

I'm thinking of seeing it at the Franklin Institute's dome theatre, would you still recommend it? I saw the movie in  regular theatre and this is my only chance to see it in imax. With the distortion, would you still recommend it?

I enjoyed the movie, so yes.

[Rocket Science]

Reminder for all you good folks that missed it. Apollo 11 will air tonight at 9pm ET and 12am ET on CNN USA. Turn-up the sound and enjoy!

[catdlr]

Reminder for all you good folks that missed it. Apollo 11 will air tonight at 9pm ET and 12am ET on CNN USA. Turn-up the sound and enjoy!

I watched and captured the video from the CNN broadcast tonight, but after extracting the commercials the film came out to 58 min.  Whereas the IMDB indicates the film length to 1:43 minutes.  So we are not seeing the entire movie in this CNN broadcast.  I'll just purchase the movie instead.

[PahTo]

I watched and captured the video from the CNN broadcast tonight, but after extracting the commercials the film came out to 58 min.  Whereas the IMDB indicates the film length to 1:43 minutes.  So we are not seeing the entire movie in this CNN broadcast.  I'll just purchase the movie instead.

Thanks catdlr, appreciate the attention to detail--I wondered about that (watched the CNN broadcast, have the BluRay disc but have yet to view)--93 minutes of 1080HD coming up! 

[Rocket Science]

Reminder for all you good folks that missed it. Apollo 11 will air tonight at 9pm ET and 12am ET on CNN USA. Turn-up the sound and enjoy!

I watched and captured the video from the CNN broadcast tonight, but after extracting the commercials the film came out to 58 min.  Whereas the IMDB indicates the film length to 1:43 minutes.  So we are not seeing the entire movie in this CNN broadcast.  I'll just purchase the movie instead.

When I saw it the first time, I thought "please sir, I want some more" (in my best Oliver Twist voice).... Perhaps about a 1/2 hour to 45 minutes so it makes sense. I'll get my own copy as well!

[woods170]

For all Dutch members of this forum:


- The 45 minute version of Apollo 11 is currently running at the Omniversum IMAX theatre in The Hague.
- The full-length 93 minute version of Apollo 11 will be running in Dutch cinemas starting June 27, 2019.


Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2285455-terug-naar-de-maan-met-neil-en-buzz-maar-nu-in-hd.html

I got to experience the 93 minute version at Pathé's IMAX theatre in Arnhem yesterday. This film/documentary is an excellent piece of work. Whoever did the Dutch subtitles did a fairly decent job on translating the techno-babble.

[Crispy]

Saw this at the IMAX in London on Friday. Absolutely astonishing footage. 5 star ratings all over the promotional material, and it deserves each one.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Review by British film critic Mark Kermode; he loves it 

[Eric Hedman]

I'm pleased that people outside of North America are beginning to be able to see this.  I'm hoping younger viewers will start to understand why it was such a life changing and inspirational moment for kids like me who decided to become an engineer because of this event happening.  I wanted to be able to create technology that would have an impact on the world.  For me it was such an exciting positive experience and I know I wasn't alone in feeling that way.  This movie is the best attempt ever to capture that feeling and it succeeded.

I have to wonder if the Artemis program goes forward and we have a landing on the Moon in the next decade, just how much will it capture the attention of the world.  Will it be a repeat of 1969?  Or will most of the world think meh?

[saturnapollo]

Saw it in the cinema last week. None of the major cinema chains seem to be showing it, but one of the more provincial cinemas was showing it. Nothing like a Saturrn V launch on a big(ish) screen. Most of the audience seemed to be people like myself who had experienced it first time around.

Keith

[Oersted]

You were there for the 11 launch, Keith? - Or one of the other ones? - How was it?

[saturnapollo]

Sorry I thought the fact I mentioned that the audience was mainly made up from folk who had experienced it the first time around grounded it in experiencing the Apollo 11 mission rather than actually witnessing an Apollo launch.

Sorry for not being clearer.

Keith

[Oersted]

Sure, no problem.

I think it would be fantastic to hear from someone who saw the launch... Wasn't there around a million people?

[PahTo]

Sure, no problem.

I think it would be fantastic to hear from someone who saw the launch... Wasn't there around a million people?

Yes, crowd in the area was estimated at over one million.
I watched "Chasing the Moon" (a six hour PBS/American Experience documentary film that is STUNNING).  Said film featured an interview with a spectator at KSC after the launch and they said (paraphrase) "The clothes on the front of my body were flapping due to the vibration--I've never felt anything like it!"

[Orbiter]

I'd certainly would enjoy reading any stories from any NSF members who were alive and present during a Saturn V launch.

[saturnapollo]

"I watched "Chasing the Moon" (a six hour PBS/American Experience documentary film that is STUNNING).  Said film featured an interview with a spectator at KSC after the launch and they said (paraphrase) "The clothes on the front of my body were flapping due to the vibration--I've never felt anything like it!"

The BBC is showing it this coming week. In fact there are some 23 documentaries on various channels before we even get to Saturday!

Closest I've ever come to Saturn V launch experience was a Vulcan flying low and slow over the crowd (when they were allowed toi). You could feel the vibration inside you.

Keith

[old_geez]

Just saw it down here in Oz. Fantastic experience.
I remember watching it live when I was in Grade 7, 11 years ago.
This movie brought it all back, and more.
The extra footage, the excellent editing and the music was just perfect.

[mtakala24]

It will also get a release in Finnish Imax theatre in Helsinki next month - but only one airing, it appears. Then a short normal tour in selected cinemas.

Went to see it. First IMAX experience for me, and it was great.

Almost sold out! special introduction speech by the operator as well, perhaps they were surprised by the crowd.

[wholmeswa]

Just won several Critics Choice Documentary Awards, including best documentary.

Details: https://deadline.com/2019/11/critics-choice-documentary-awards-winners-list-neon-apolllo-11-honeyland-the-biggest-little-farm-1202782550/

[Phil Stooke]

I saw the cinema release and the IMAX version.  If you only saw it at IMAX, try to see the other as well because the IMAX version (at least the one I saw) was edited down a bit.  Example: the bits about the last-minute tightening of a leaky valve on the fueled Saturn on the pad were edited out of the IMAX version.  Of course, either version is stunning. 

[Comga]

I saw the cinema release and the IMAX version.  If you only saw it at IMAX, try to see the other as well because the IMAX version (at least the one I saw) was edited down a bit.  Example: the bits about the last-minute tightening of a leaky valve on the fueled Saturn on the pad were edited out of the IMAX version.  Of course, either version is stunning. 

Did you see the 93 minute run time IMax film or the 47 minute version?
I saw the 93 minute version and the valve thing might have been included.
(To be honest, it’s hard to remember which fact was picked up from which source.)

[mme]

I saw the 93 minute IMAX version and it definitely included tightening the helium valve.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/nova_road/status/1206794194590851072

Apollo 11 movie made Oscar shortlist for best documentary.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/oscars-2020-shortlists-doc-international-makeup-hairstyling-more-1262916

Advocate
American Factory
The Apollo
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