For All Mankind - Criterion Collection

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Starring: Jim Lovell
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Directed By: Al Reinert
Studio: Criterion
Release Date: 2000-02-15
In July 1969, the space race ended when Apollo 11 fulfilled President Kennedy's challenge of "landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth." No one who witnessed the lunar landing will ever forget it. Breathtaking both in the scope of its vision and the exhilaration of the human emotions it captures, For All Mankind is the story of the 24 men who traveled to the Moon-told in their words, in their voices, using the images of their experiences. Criterion is proud to present Al Reinert's award-winning documentary in a new special edition.

Mismash of editing detracts from the film
As far as must see's go, this is one of them, however, any student of Apollo will find the mixing and matching of audio to video distracting if not down right annoying. I understand the intent of trying to tell a story and wrap it all up, but the effect is to dumb down the history and I simply couldn't get past that. The worst is the faked add in dubbing. For example, Niel, Buzz and Mike are getting on the elevator to the Saturn V and there is some kind of tech standing there. The film makers actually dub in audio so it appears the guy says, "God Speed man." I mean, come on!!! Was that necessary? How absurd, corny and dated in such a 70s style of film making.

Another example is having Apollo 16 audio regarding the house sized rock juxtaposed with astronauts picking up a 2 pound rock. Gees, just show the darn house sized rock clip with the actual audio!!! My advice is turn off the sound and watch the amazing footage! Better yet, go see In the Shadow of the Moon for an outstanding

a really unique film
This is a great piece of work in that it trancends the usual limitations of the documentary format. Rather than a dry linear presentation of the facts, we are given the images and the words of the participants. What is created is the impression of the greatness of the achievement. This is a work that leaves the viewer understanding why this was important in a way that none of the documentaries before or after have been able to achieve.

People obsessed with the details of history will not like it. The director plays fast and loose with chronology and often selects clips to make a point rather than present linear history. But in my opinion, the work proves that telling a story results in a much better work than following the modern obsession with "recreating history".

The director lets the men who were there tell their own story in their own words. And that story is all the more effective because these are real people rather than celebrities doing voiceovers.

There is no better telling of the story of the space program leading up to the moon landings than this film. Its a shame so few people have seen it or even know about it.

Disjointed presentation was a disappointment
I found this video to be a disappointment. It contains video clips from the Apollo missions. There are clips from inside the spacecraft, from spacecraft to spacecraft, on the surface of the moon, of the astronauts preparing to enter the spacecraft at Cape Canaveral and from the mission control center in Houston. The problem is that the clips are disjointed, unless you are very schooled in the Apollo program, you do not know what mission the clip is from. Other than watching the clip, there is no way to determine what the current activity is. This disjointed presentation is confusing and decimated my interest.
There was one aspect that I found of interest and that was the equipment. Looking at the now antiquated equipment, it is amazing to realize that humans did use it to walk on the surface of the moon. It makes one wonder why, with the much more advanced modern equipment, that there are such problems with the American space program. It also contains my favorite John F. Kennedy quote, "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard."

This is a must have
If you have a collection of DVD's and you don't have this one, then your collection is incomplete. This is one of the best sudo documentaries ever made. Some of the footage is incorrect and the sequencing is wrong, but it doesn't matter. This is cinematic art at it's best. Capturing a feeling and conveying it to an audience.
I've watched it about 5 times and it still leaves me in awe each time. I remember when it happened and as I've grown older and realized how spectacular an achievement this was. This does more to capture the true goals and accomplishments of man in space.
Why did we climb the mountain? because it was there. And wow what a spectacular view.
For parts of it you could feel that little tinge of anguish those astronauts felt that just made that voyage and came back without landing. Seeing those views of how close they were and how far they were from home.
Just a great film.

A Film That Is Truly "For All Mankind"
The Apollo Missions of the late 1960's and early 1970's were perhaps the greatest achievement in the history of humanity. Yet the real achievement and meaning has been lost on many of us. Here, in the film For All Mankind, is a chance to bring some meaning and depth to Apollo. Needless to say, it is the perhaps the most effective film on the history of space exploration.

One must give the film's director, Al Reinert, at a ton of credit for his work. Who else could have come up with the brilliant notion behind this film? Who would have thought of taking footage from all of the Apollo missions (and a couple of the Gemini missions) and combining them with the words of the men who went where no one had (or has since) gone before? (Apologies for paraphrasing Star Trek) The genius of this film is that it shuns away from traditional documentary styling. Instead of compiling facts on one mission and having a well known actor/actress do the narration, the film lets those who went tell the story. Who else is better qualified? They might not be professional actors, but the astronauts don't need to be. It is the power of the events they describe that is the main reason for their presence. They are a powerful voice in this story.

In many reviews I have read, I have seen complaints about the mixing of footage or the use of footage out of its context (a Gemini reentry used for the TLI burn for example). Yes the mixing is nowhere near subtle and is, thus, blatantly obvious. But it is my feeling that this mixing was necessary. The only way to get across the story of Apollo's achievement to the average person was to mix the footage. Does it really matter in the end? I mean by that this: the film isn't about a single mission to the Moon. No, the power of Apollo lies not in each mission, but in the overall effect of the Apollo program. This film is about the journey of Apollo, the effect in had on the astronauts, and the effect it had on us all.

If there is one element of this film that really stayed with men it was the music. It is among the most beautiful and haunting things you will ever here. Brian Eno does a marvelous job of conveying the mystery and majesty of both space and the Moon. This is one of those scores who really have to hear to believe.

This DVD is first rate and should be for a film of this caliber. The film gets a 5.1 surround sound mix which is amazing, especially for the lift-off and Moon walking sequences. There is also an excellent audio commentary done by Reinert and Apollo 10/17 astronaut Gene Cernan. Part making-of commentary and part interview with Cernan, the commentary is an amazing supplement to the film itself. There is also a showcase of Al Bean's paintings on Apollo, footage of launches from the first fifteen years of NASA, and a selection of important audio clips from Al Shepherd's first Mercury flight to Cernan's final steps on the Moon. Criterion set out not just to present and preserve films, but to give first rate supplementary material as well and in this case at least they have succeeded.

For All Mankind, perhaps better then anything else out there, demonstrates the power of humanity in space. For one to really appreciate this film it needs to be seen on a large screen in surround sound. Only then can one appreciate both the film and the power of the Apollo legacy. This is the first film I've seen that I recommend to everyone. This is a film that is truly "For All Mankind".