Movies
Apollo 13 (1995, Tom Hanks, Ed Harris)
‘Failure is not an option!’
Back in 1969 the world was agog at the American headlong rush into space, the Moon had been landed upon by the crew of Apollo 11 and more was in store, by April 1970 the crew of Apollo 13 were ready for their big moment. Only of course things didn’t go quite according to plan as an explosion puts the craft pretty much out of action leading NASA to try and guide the craft home to safety. A true old style Hollywood classic that is able to call upon all the latest special effects and techniques to aid in the telling. Director Ron Howard does a fantastic job with this true life heroic story that had the world watching as time (and oxygen) ran out for the crew.
As much as the story is about the crew and the confines of their craft (Tom Hanks and the boys really were weightless, spending day after day being filmed in an aircraft) it’s the domestic side of the story that impresses the most, Ed Harris as mission control boss Gene Kranz proves he is one of the best actors around and Kathleen Quinlin as Jim Lovell’s wife is quietly excellent. The movie was nominated for 9 oscars but surprisingly only won two.
production details
USA | 140 minutes | 1995
Director: Ron Howard
Script: William Broyles Jr., Al Reinert, Jeffrey Kluger, Jim Lovell, Ricardo F. Delgado,
cast
Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell
Gary Sinise as Ken Mattingly
Kathleen Quinlan as Marilyn Lovell
Ed Harris as Gene Kranz
Clint Howard as Sy Liebergot – EECOM White
Brett Cullen as CAPCOM 1
Endre Hules as Guenter Wendt
Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert
Gabriel Jarret as GNC White
Xander Berkeley as Henry Hurt
Bill Paxton as Fred Haise
David Andrews as Pete Conrad
Mark Wheeler as Neil Armstrong
Mary Kate Schellhardt as Barbara Lovell
Emily Ann Lloyd as Susan Lovell
Miko Hughes as Jeffrey Lovell
Max Elliott Slade as Jay Lovell
Jean Speegle Howard as Blanch Lovell
Tracy Reiner as Mary Haise
Michele Little as Jane Conrad
Chris Ellis as Deke Slayton
Joe Spano as NASA Director
Roger Corman as Congressman
Andrew Lipschultz as Launch Director
Christian Clemenson as Dr. Chuck
Thom Barry as Orderly
Jim Lovell as
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