Moonshot (2009)

The story leading up to the July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 moon landing launch.

Director:

Richard Dale

Writer:

Tony Basgallop

Stars:

Daniel Lapaine, James Marsters, Andrew Lincoln

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Lapaine	...	Neil Armstrong
James Marsters	...	Buzz Aldrin
Andrew Lincoln	...	Michael Collins
Nigel Whitmey	...	Deke Slayton
William Hope	...	Psychologist
Anna Maxwell Martin	...	Janet Armstrong
Trevor White	...	Alan Shepard
Kosha Engler	...	Pat Collins
Richard Gibbons	...	Technician #1
Gene Emmer	...	Technician #2
Michael J. Reynolds	...	Gene Aldrin
Egle Dudenas	...	Marion Aldrin
Kelli Kerslake	...	Joan Aldrin
Callum Marullo	...	Rick Armstrong
Ana Goldberg	...	Female Neighbour

Storyline

Man's landing on the moon was our greatest technological achievement. The Apollo 11 mission was truly the stuff of dreams. For the first time, our species walked on another celestial body. Even more remarkable was their ability to make it back. This is the story of the July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 moon landing. Drama with digitally remastered original footage.

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Plot Keywords:

year 1969 | apollo 11 | moon | apollo program | space exploration | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 July 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apollo 11: To proto vima sto feggari

Filming Locations:

Lithuania

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dangerous Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The conversations between Armstrong, Aldrin and mission control after Commander Armstrong began descending the ladder of the lunar module were the actual voices of the astronauts on July 20 1969 and not those of the actors playing them. The actors simply mouthed the words when they were in frame.

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Goofs

In new footage, shot for the movie in studio to represent the astronauts' activity on the moon, stars are visible in the black sky. While stars were visible in the sky to the astronauts during the real moon landing, they are not visible in any film the astronauts shot because the cameras' aperture had to be closed down to eliminate glare from the lunar surface. The stars were then too faint to register on the film.

User Reviews

The human side of the moon

Everyone knows the basic story, and when there is an anniversary there is a glut of documentaries. This dramatized version is different, in that it focuses mainly on the human relationships. It makes Buzz Aldrin into an ambitious and slightly abrasive character who would quarrel with Neil Armstrong, if only the the latter were not so easy-going (not to say bland). Well, that's how it's played here. I don't know how true it is.

It's entertaining and well acted. Daniel Lapaine has a good (moon) shot at Neil Armstrong - not an easy thing to do.

I'd only really criticize the structure of the film. It is packed with flashbacks, so much so that it's quite confusing at times.