NOVA - To the Moon

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Starring: Nova
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Studio: WGBH Boston
Release Date: 2000-08-08
Running Time: 120 minutes
The mission was impossible. The odds were astronomical. The results were spectacular. NOVA presents the fascinating story behind the Apollo space program, including the most remarkable feat in human history—the historic walk on the moon in 1969. Meet the unsung heroes, experience the dangers and discover a broader range of Apollo perspectives than any space documentary ever produced.

In this expanded two-hour special, you'll see rare footage, explore little-known facts and enjoy rare insightful interviews with the NASA scientists, engineers, geologists and astronauts who made the dream of walking on the moon a reality. Share the vivid recollections of Apollo astronauts Gene Cernan and Frank Borman, plus legendary Flight Director Gene Kranz. Hear courageous tales from the pioneering Gemini space program. And explore how past lunar discoveries continue to produce exciting revelations.

Special DVD features include: scene selections; access to the To The Moon Web site, featuring panorama views from six moon landings, interactive lunar puzzles, interviews with top Apollo astronauts, and more; access to the NASA and NOVA web sites; and English subtitles.

On one DVD5 disc. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: 4 x 3 full frame.

No Item Yet
I have not received this item as of yet so I cannot review it. I am starting to get nervous that it is not going to arrive.

Script assumes you are unintelligent and unknowing
The use of present-tense verbs to describe events from the past is now commonplace in our post-literate age, especially by historians when talking down to lay people. This script does that, and worse. Consider this excerpt: "In the 1950s, travel to the Moon is about to become possible because of the rocket. Long used as a weapon, the rocket is the only engine that can be used in a vacuum." That's not true, and it's the kind of falsehood that sometimes happens when adults over-simplify their subject for children.

Or this one: "But when future generations look back, they may be surprised to learn why men first went to the Moon, because the ancient dream of exploration had almost nothing to do with what was called Project Apollo." The script reveals that the true motive was to beat the Russians. How typical of Nova to be so condescending to its audience as to assume we have no understanding of the political context. And the truth is that Apollo had a great deal to do with the dream of exploration.

Or this one: "In 1968 men first left the Earth for the Moon. Millions of people watched their journey on television, but scarcely a handful knew how it really began." Oh, so fewer than six people knew how Apollo 8 really began. Nonsense.

Or this one: "For an astronaut to survive there [in space], he'll need the protection of a spacecraft, or capsule. Even a small capsule will need a huge rocket to put it in space." Sounds like they are talking to small children.

Or this one: "Lost between the pioneering flights of Mercury and the lunar triumph of Apollo was the program that found the answers. It was called Gemini. Nearly forgotten today, Gemini was the essential step to the Moon." Lost and forgotten by whom? I sure didn't lose it, and I'll never forget it. I wish Nova would stop making things up and stick to the truth. In what sense was Gemini more essential than the other steps?

Nova has it that few people know the true motive behind Apollo, or the true beginnings of Apollo 8, or even the existence of the Gemini phase. But Nova knows. Nova always has the answers, and we are children sitting at their feet, grateful for any bits of knowledge they deem to hand down.

The DVD includes the commercials that air at the start of every episode of Nova. I would say that's an indicator of the low esteem Nova has for its audience.

Great for the new enthusiast
This documentary gave me exactly what I was looking for. Born 15 years after the first Moon landing, the whole space race was old news when I learned about it in school. I knew the major events, but the details were lost. I wanted to know more about the young space program and the lunar missions, but I didn't want to sit through the hours and hours that some of the other documentaries offer.

Nova has condensed all the basic facts to create an informative summary. I gained a new perspective regarding the huge and seemingly impossible achievements. I don't think anyone could do a better job with so many events in a 2 hour DVD.

For me, the interest peaked during the coverage of Apollo 8 and the launch of Apollo 11, but the later missions don't disappoint. I really liked the addition of the 3D animations, which help to illustrate aspects of the flights not captured on film. As for the "bad" music mentioned in previous reviews, I hardly noticed. It's not the best quality, but it's far from obtrusive.

If you've already seen everything about the missions, this DVD may not be for you. But if you're like me and wish to gain some perspective regarding the era, this is a great place to start.

Excellent
This is one of the best shows on the Apollo program and I have seen and read about everything out there. It has great interviews and information not found any where else. This is Nova at its greatest, bravo!

The one I always go back to ...
I am an avid collector of dvds and books on the early space program thru the Apollo program. This is the dvd that I watch over and over again. Very well done, and well worth having.