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MOONSHOT: The Flight of Apollo 11.
“On July 20 1969 three men made history as the men on a mission to land on the moon. The eight day journey aboard Apollo 11 was one of the most watched events ever. This film tells what it was like to be at the heart of the mission that changed the world. I know, my name is Buzz Aldrin. I was there.” Buzz Aldrin.
On July 20 1969 history was made – as the first men landed and walked on the moon.
The Apollo 11 mission was one of the most watched events ever.
Starring Daniel Lapaine ( Hotel Babylon, Muriel’s Wedding ) as Neil Armstrong, James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville ) as Buzz Aldrin and Andrew Lincoln (Afterlife, Teachers) as Michael Collins, this drama documentary weaves the story of the men who undertook the mission with HD Nasa footage of Apollo 11 to bring together a unique testimony of this historic event.
Written by Tony Basgallop, (Hotel Babylon), and directed by Richard Dale, (Diana: The Last Days of a Princess, 9/11: The Twin Towers), Moonshot is the compelling story of the moment that united 600 million people around the world.
Dramatising key moments and events in the years spent preparing for their mission, the film builds a picture of the astronauts’ lives on the ground and how they shaped what happened in space and on the moon.
In 1961 President Kennedy told the world that that the United States would land on the moon by the end of the decade. This began the series of Apollo missions that would culminate with Apollo 11 – the first moon landing.
Moonshot follows the astronauts as they go through NASA’s intense selection procedures and reveals the arduous Apollo training process that has such an impact on their families and friendships.
In 1967, the dangers of the mission were brought home when three astronauts were killed by a fire on the first Apollo spacecraft, affecting everyone in the close knit space community.
Then, in 1968, Apollo 8 was the first manned flight to orbit the moon and the mission was a big media event.
The nation crowded around their television sets to watch, prompting a concerned Buzz to tells Neil Armstrong: “My face doesn’t fit on the screen, like some of the other guys. Too big, too long.”
Neil also has his concerns about the media and he tells Buzz: “If they want to talk about the technical aspects then sure, I’m happy to answer but for some reason they just want to know how everything feels.”
Buzz replies: “Even if you could tell them they wouldn’t get it. Because when you’re up there in space looking down there’s nothing wrong with the world, but when you’re down here looking up, everything’s different.”
The film captures the deliberations involved in selecting the crew. In one scene, the NASA official leading the process tells Neil Armstrong that Buzz Aldrin has a reputation for speaking his mind. He gives Neil a choice between Aldrin and fellow astronaut Jim Lovell, forcing him to think about who he would be able to work with – and who he could trust with his life. Armstrong chooses Aldrin, but which of them would take the first steps on the moon would be decided by Nasa.
Aldrin believes that his experience should be in his favour. He tells Collins: “I’ve clocked five an a half hours of space walks- that’s more than any one - Neil’s never done an EVA before.”
Collins says: “I understand why you would have assumed…”
Aldrin replies angrily: “I haven’t assumed a damn thing.. this doesn’t bother me either way Mike, I’m just waiting to be told.”
Collins asks: “How does Neil feel about this?”
“How does Neil feel about anything?” Aldrin shrugs.
Nasa discusses the merits of the two men, acknowledging that the first man on the moon would be a hero and would shoulder the responsibility for the rest of his life.
One of the officials says: “Neil’s calm, quiet, resolute – Neil’s what it says on the label. Buzz is … well you never know what you’re going to get from one day to the next.”
Another responds by saying: “Buzz wants it more.”
Prompting the reply: “Which is a reason not to give it to him.”
The decision goes in favour of Armstrong.
Michael Colllins will stay in Columbia while Armstrong and Aldrin fly the lunar module Eagle to the moon. Collins is told by a Nasa official that he will get his chance in a lunar module in the future.
He says: “I’ve been thinking about that, If Apollo 11 aborts and falls into the ocean well then yes, sure, I’d love to give it another shot. But if we fly this as planned – I think that’s going to be it for me.”
When he tells his wife of his decision she asks: “You’re telling me you don’t want to walk on the moon?”
Collins says: “I’m happy to leave that to the others.”
The strain of the mission causes tension between Aldrin and Armstrong when a simulated moon landing practice goes wrong – meaning in a real situation they would have crashed.
Collins is designing the Apollo mission badge that evening when Aldrin walks in. He asks Collins why he hasn’t put their names on the badge. He says: “You don’t think people will want to remember the three guys who are destined to die up there?”
Collins tells him: “You’ve been in the simulator too long.”
Aldrin says: “Oh you didn’t hear about today. Our Commander deliberately crashed.”
Aldrin and Armstrong have a heated discussion about the practice Aldrin asks Armstrong why he didn’t abort the landing. He says: “We have to get it right every time.”
“So do they,” replies Armstrong. “They heard the alarm . I know what we would have done in that situation. I wanted to see what they were going to do.”
Aldrin asks: “So what exactly did we learn from all of that?”
Armstrong tells him: “That we are on our own up there.”
Before the launch the families have to come to terms with the fact that the astronauts might not come back.
Armstrong shows his wife the message that will go out to the public if they fail to take off from the moon.
It reads: ‘Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace. These brave men Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin know that there is no hope for their recovery.’
She asks Neil if this is the first she would hear of it. He tells her that she will get a call from the President if anything happens. She says: “Nixon? Nixon will call me? Wow. I hope he doesn’t.”
After a successful launch Apollo 11 became a huge media story around the world. The Pope asked for a colour television to be installed in his summer residence, West Germany announced they were calling the day of the landing ‘Apollo Day’ and schoolchildren in Bavaria were given the day off.
On July 20, 1969 the lunar module Eagle separated from the command module Columbia.
The world held its collective breath as the lunar module approached the moon.. and breathed a sigh of relief as it touched down safely. Then Armstrong said the famous words, "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."
Shortly after landing, before preparations began for the moon walk, Aldrin broadcast: “This is the LM pilot. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way.”
After this Buzz Aldrin quietly takes communion having brought a chalice and communion wine on board with him.
Six hours after landing it was time for the first moon walk.
Armstrong sets foot on the moon and says the lines that became part of history: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
As Buzz follows him he describes the scene as “magnificent desolation”.
President Nixon speaks to both men, starting off by saying : “I'm talking to you by telephone from the Oval Room at the White House, and this certainly has to be the most historic telephone call ever made.”
Neil replies: “Thank you, Mr. President. It’s been a great honour and privilege for us to be here representing not only the United States but men of peace of all nations and with interests and the curiosity and with the vision for the future.”
While preparations are being made for take off from the moon a switch breaks off from a circuit breaker that armed the main engine for lift off from the moon. There is initial concern this will prevent firing the engine, which would strand them on the moon.
Fortunately Buzz Aldrin has a felt tip pen, which he uses to activate the switch and Eagle successfully lifts off from the moon’s surface.
The Eagle rejoins Columbia and Collins greets Armstrong and Neil as they came aboard by saying: “Welcome home boys … you stink!”
As Apollo 11 splashed down safely on earth the famous American newscaster Walter Kronkite said: “The date is now indelible. It is going to be remembered as long as man survives - July 20 1969 the day man reached and walked on the moon.”
Last edited: Wednesday, 8 July 2009
