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Reviews
The Starfighters (1964)
Watch it only if you're an F-104 fan.
I am an F-104 Starfghter nut. It is my favorite aircraft.
This film had the opportunity to be a real interesting film, since the F-104 was a very high performance jet fighter. There could have been scenes showing the airplane's incredible climbing ability to 75,000ft or more. Perhaps a few scenes of zero length launches from a flat bed trailer. For some light moments perhaps some banter between the international pilots and USAF pilots would show a humorous cultural barrier. Much like "Breaking the Sound Barrier", this film could have been a real cult movie for aviation buffs. However that chance was wasted, the slow pace and boring dialog make this hard even for me to watch.
If you like '104s keep the fast forward button handy.
By the way, "poopysuit" is a a nickname for an anti-exposure suit. It's worn by pilots when flying over cold water.
Moonwalk One (1972)
An excellent and moody piece
I recently saw this film on NASA's television service. Unlike most NASA documentaries this is not your typical dry look at Apollo. Instead, we get a great philosophical look at the importance of humankind's first steps on another body. For the most part, the film avoids the usual pablum of Woodstock, Vietnam, hippies etc. The moods invoked by the film are indeed introspective.The spooky electronic soundtrack adds to the moodiness.
Only now that the Apollo program has been regulated to the history books has the mainstream media finally accepted Apollo as an important event in human history. For far too long it was a footnote in the pages of the 1960s with too much attention given to the hippie movement and Woodstock.
My only complaint is that this film seems to be unavailable to the general public. I believe that this is one of the finest movies ever released on the Apollo program.
Capricorn One (1977)
Not a sci fi movie
I saw this movie in the theatre when I was 14. I thought it was kind of cool but in retrospect it has become your typical "you are being lied to" film. Even at 14 years old I noticed that the space hardware was for the Apollo MOON landing program. Imagine a dinky little Apollo capsule for an 18 month Mars voyage. I can't. In addition they used a LUNAR Excursion Module for a Mars lander. I don't think these are small technical oversights.
The plot is the standard conspiracy theory. The best part in the movie is probably played by Clay Lacy. You'll see him in the credits as the stunt pilot. The black helicopters vs Stearman crop duster scenes were very exciting on the big screen. Otherwise a forgettable movie.