Apollo: The Forgotten Films

Apollo: The Forgotten Films is an engrossing and inspiring 2019 documentary presented by Discovery (US). It is a tribute to the historic Apollo Moon landing event that commemorates its 50th anniversary. The documentary encapsulates the journey of NASA's Apollo mission through a unique combination of archived films, most of which were previously unreleased until Discovery’s endeavor, reliving the narrative of the epoch-making mission of landing the first human on the moon.

The two-hour special brings to life the vastness of space and the audacity of the mission through a wealth of beautifully restored, high-resolution original film footage, much of which had been neglected or overlooked for decades. The allure of this show lies in its capacity to transport viewers back in time to experience the Apollo mission’s heart-stopping moments through these newly-unearthed films.

Eschewing the talking-head format common in most documentaries, Apollo: The Forgotten Films refrains from recounting the mission linearly or only featuring the globally famous parts of it, like Neil Armstrong’s iconic first step on the lunar surface or his legendary words. On the contrary, the documentary delves deeper into the less known aspects of this monumental mission.

Perhaps the most captivating aspect of the feature is its adept juxtaposition of the grandeur of the moon landing with the normalcy of everyday life in 1960s America. It presents lesser-known footage shot by astronauts themselves alongside home movies and behind-the-scenes films created by companies like Boeing, the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, and even NASA's rivals in the Soviet Union.

The documentary tells the compelling story of the engineers, scientists, astronauts, and their families who dedicated their lives to turn mankind's moon-landing dream into a reality. It captures the extraordinary human effort that translated into this defining moment for humanity, honoring the unsung heroes who didn't let the hurdles impede their journey to the moon.

Viewers are offered exclusive access into hitherto unseen and unheard stories of the engineers and scientists, the critical problem-solving decisions, the nerve-wracking suspense of numerous trial and error missions, and their tireless efforts that made the successful mission possible. The footage includes manufacturing elements, surveillance videos, training films, and even crash footage, together presenting a complete picture of the monumental endeavor.

Apollo: The Forgotten Films also encapsulates the dramatic atmosphere that prevailed during the '60s, dominated by the Cold War, the Space Race, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War. It provides a comprehensive perspective of the moon landing as not just a stand-alone event but as an inseparable part of world history.

Another intriguing factor of this documentary is its perspective on the Space Race from the lens of the former Soviet Union. The documentary features rare Soviet space program footage, providing an alternate narrative to the mainstream perspective.

The film builds its narrative by smartly utilizing the audio commentary taken directly from the mission's control room, astronauts' communication, and the iconic CBS anchor Walter Cronkite's coverage of the event. It also includes the speeches of then-President John F. Kennedy, who, in 1961, expressed the bold aim of landing a man on the moon before the end of the decade.

Raw, powerful, and intense, Apollo: The Forgotten Films serves as a stirring tribute to the relentless human spirit and our constant yearning for exploration and discovery. It highlights the depth of dedication, the intensity of preparation, and the endurance required to accomplish such a high-stake mission.

Through the varied interviews, captivating narratives, and the painstaking restoration of the rarely seen footage, Discovery offers viewers a new way to appreciate this impressive chapter of human achievement. It is a stellar example of documentary filmmaking that appeals not just to space enthusiasts or history buffs, but to anyone who understands and appreciates the courage it took for mankind to leave its home planet and set foot on an alien world.

In its entirety, Apollo: The Forgotten Films is a deeply immersive, enlightening, and reverential journey through time, chronicling the determination, ingenuity, and resilience of those involved in successfully executing one of the most significant feats in human history. Those interested in the distilled account of human determination and the unbeaten path of exploration should not miss this documentary.