Apollo 13 (1995)

Three astronauts must devise a strategy to return to Earth safely after their spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage.

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

Jim Lovell (book), Jeffrey Kluger (book),

Stars:

Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon

Won 2 Oscars. Another 20 wins & 30 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Hanks	...	Jim Lovell
Bill Paxton	...	Fred Haise
Kevin Bacon	...	Jack Swigert
Gary Sinise	...	Ken Mattingly
Ed Harris	...	Gene Kranz
Kathleen Quinlan	...	Marilyn Lovell
Mary Kate Schellhardt	...	Barbara Lovell
Emily Ann Lloyd	...	Susan Lovell
Miko Hughes	...	Jeffrey Lovell
Max Elliott Slade	...	Jay Lovell
Jean Speegle Howard	...	Blanch Lovell
Tracy Reiner	...	Mary Haise
David Andrews	...	Pete Conrad
Michele Little	...	Jane Conrad (as Michelle Little)
Chris Ellis	...	Deke Slayton

Storyline

Based on the true story of the ill-fated 13th Apollo mission bound for the moon. Astronauts Lovell, Haise and Swigert were scheduled to fly Apollo 14, but are moved up to 13. It's 1970, and America have already achieved their lunar landing goal, so there's little interest in this "routine" flight.. until that is, things go very wrong, and prospects of a safe return fade.

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Plot Keywords:

space | astronaut | moon | nasa | apollo 13 | 

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Taglines:

Houston, we have a problem.

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and emotional intensity

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 June 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apollo 13: The IMAX Experience

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$62,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$200,645 (USA) (20 September 2002)

Gross:

$1,736,281 (USA) (9 April 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo DTS IMAX 6-Track (IMAX version) Dolby SR

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rance Howard:  director Ron Howard's father, playing a priest.

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Goofs

In the shot over Fred Haise's shoulder he is reading the letter and looking at the pictures of Mary Haise, you see him fold up the letter and place it and the pictures in the green envelope. In the next shot when Lovell grabs the floating picture of Mary, you see Haise folding the letter again and putting it in the envelope again.

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Quotes

Ken Mattingly: 13, this is Houston, do you read?
Jim Lovell: Roger that, Ken. Are the flowers blooming in Houston?
Ken Mattingly: That's a negative, Jim. I do not have the measles.
[stares at the flight surgeon]

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Connections

Referenced in Mission to Mars (2000)

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Soundtracks

"BEYOND THE SEA"
Written by Charles Trenet and Jack Lawrence
Performed by Bobby Darin
Courtesy of Atco Records
by arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

A Great Movie

I couldn't take my eyes off the screen, i was simply compelled to watch it until the end. I already knew how it ended so i was surprised it commanded my attention so intensely.

The fact is the characters were all so realistically portrayed and the film was so expertly directed that it was almost as if the Apollo 13 disaster was filmed and that is what i was watching.

Now this film is certainly not to everyone's taste, it is quite slow in the build up and the film relies almost entirely on the script and ability of the cast.

If you like your disaster films loud and in your face then this is probably not for you, but if you like them realistic (slightly dramatised) then watch it and be astounded.

9/10