Forum: Publications & Multimedia Topic: Apollo: Missions to the Moon (Nat Geo)
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The film weaves together more than 500 hours of footage, 800 hours of audio and 10,000 photos, using Jennings' signature style of first-person storytelling to take viewers behind the scenes. This intimate, immersive account spans the full sweep of NASA's Apollo Space Program — from the ill-fated Apollo 1 mission, which claimed the lives of three astronauts, to the final flight that brought the program to a close.

"Beyond audio and footage of the brave astronauts, 'Apollo: Missions to the Moon' creates a tapestry of the collective sights and sounds that brings us back to the golden age of space," says Jennings.

The film features newly transferred film and never-before-heard audio to recount the groundbreaking, key moments of America's goal to land on the moon before 1970. With no narration nor modern-day talking heads, the missions are experienced entirely through archival TV footage, never-before-heard radio broadcasts, home movies, NASA film and mission-control audio to create an eyewitness-like experience. The film includes several firsts, including the combination of NASA footage with "black-box" recordings from Apollo capsules and the synchronization of 30-track audio from mission control.

"'Apollo: Missions to the Moon' unveils what was happening not only on the ground at mission control but also in the homes of the families and friends who stood by as their loved ones took to the skies," says Jennings. "The whole world stopped for a moment to rejoice and take pride in the boundless sense of courage and optimism that Apollo made possible."

"'Apollo: Missions to the Moon' is not just a show; it's an experience," says Geoff Daniels, executive vice president of global unscripted entertainment at National Geographic. "It's filled with intimate, exquisite moments that put you on the edge of your seat and reveal the human face of heroism at a time when our country — and the world — was deeply divided. Apollo renewed our purpose and passion for space exploration, which is deeply woven into our human DNA and at the core of National Geographic. Now, 50 years later, this film could not be more relevant; it reminds us what we can achieve together and has the power to transform us all."

Composed by James Everingham for Bleeding Fingers Music and produced by Academy Award, Golden Globe, Tony Award and Grammy Award winner Hans Zimmer and Emmy-nominated Russell Emanuel, the film's score captures the spirit of the time. The predominantly orchestral score features electronically manipulated sounds from the 1960's heyday of NASA space explorations, including the Apollo mission open radio frequencies, the Kepler Star and Sputnik's telemetry beacon.

"Apollo: Missions to the Moon" is produced by 1895 Films for National Geographic Documentary Films. For 1895 Films, Jennings is executive producer and director. For National Geographic Documentary Films, Bernadette McDaid is executive producer and commissioning editor and Hamish Mykura is executive vice president of programming and development.

I've seen the movie on Disney+ and would like to have it in my collection.