Posts: 1220 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
posted 10-18-2018 04:40 PM
Keep an eye out for the American Experience documentary. It is going to be fantastic. Countdown clock and website, here.
"Chasing the Moon," a film by Robert Stone, reimagines the race to the moon for a new generation, upending much of the conventional mythology surrounding the effort.
The series recasts the Space Age as a fascinating stew of scientific innovation, political calculation, media spectacle, visionary impulses and personal drama. Utilizing a visual feast of previously overlooked and lost archival material — much of which has never before been seen by the public — the film features a diverse cast of characters who played key roles in these historic events.
Among those included are astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Frank Borman and Bill Anders; Sergei Khrushchev, son of the former Soviet premier and a leading Soviet rocket engineer; Poppy Northcutt, a 25-year old "mathematics whiz" who gained worldwide attention as the first woman to serve in the all-male bastion of NASA's Mission Control; and Ed Dwight, the Air Force pilot selected by the Kennedy administration to train as America's first black astronaut.
And no worries UK, German, French cSers, it has been picked up for international distribution, too. Also see the thread for the companion book by the same title here.
mode1charlie Member
Posts: 1279 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
posted 10-18-2018 04:41 PM
I heard about his film when it was announced, but had forgotten until now, Richard. The preview looks great and I'm really looking forward to this one.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47280 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 02-03-2019 12:31 PM
PBS American Experience video
In 1969, we made one small step.
In 2019, join American Experience and PBS to relive the journey that defined a generation in "Chasing the Moon." "Chasing the Moon," a film by Robert Stone, reimagines the race to the moon for a new generation, upending much of the conventional mythology surrounding the effort. The series recasts the Space Age as a fascinating stew of scientific innovation, political calculation, media spectacle, visionary impulses and personal drama. Utilizing a visual feast of previously overlooked and lost archival material — much of which has never before been seen by the public — the film features a diverse cast of characters who played key roles in these historic events.
PBS has also released two teaser clips on its website: Countdown | Chasing.
rjurek349 Member
Posts: 1220 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
posted 03-14-2019 02:53 PM
Just saw a great new teaser clip from Chasing the Moon with Poppy Northcutt, NASA's first woman in Mission Control.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47280 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-08-2019 01:31 PM
National Air and Space Society release
Member Evening featuring "Chasing the Moon"
April 11, 2019 | 8:00pm Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
"Chasing the Moon," a film by Robert Stone, reimagines the race to the Moon for a new generation, upending much of the conventional mythology surrounding the effort. The three-part series recasts the Space Age as a fascinating stew of scientific innovation, political calculation, media spectacle, visionary impulses, and personal drama. Utilizing a visual feast of previously overlooked and lost archival material — much of which has never before been seen by the public — the film features a diverse cast of characters who played key roles in these historic events. Join us to see advance clips of the series before it airs on PBS stations in July and hear from the experts involved, including:
Roger Launius, former Associate Director for Collections and Curatorial Affairs at the Museum who has written or edited more than 30 books on aerospace history.
Poppy Northcutt, a "mathematics whiz" who gained worldwide attention as the first woman to serve in the all-male bastion of NASA's Mission Control at age 25.
Robert Stone, a multi-award-winning, Oscar-nominated and Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker.
This event is for members of the Museum's National Air and Space Society and their guests. There is no charge to attend, but advance reservations are required and seating is limited.
astroborg Member
Posts: 208 From: Woodbridge, VA, USA Registered: Nov 2000
posted 04-18-2019 10:40 AM
The preview provided by PBS broadcast recently looked very promising, and I am hopeful to see even more nuggets of backstories about participants I never heard of before!
I was slightly disappointed to see the LM-5 Eagle ascent stage coming back up from the surface with its image flipped left-right. I hope this might be able to be corrected in the final copy of the film, in July.
A E Andres New Member
Posts: 9 From: Boston, Massachusetts Registered: Mar 2019
posted 04-18-2019 04:57 PM
For those who may have missed the 30-minute PBS preview that was broadcast last Friday, it can be viewed here online. (It is also being rebroadcast a number of times in the next few weeks.)
And, yes, it will be seen worldwide: BBC, Arte (France and Germany), SBS (Australia), VPRO (Netherlands), NRK (Norway), SVT (Sweden), VRT (Belgium), YLE (Finland), TVB (Hong Kong), Telefonica (Spain), MBN (Middle East) and AETN (Africa).
denali414 Member
Posts: 802 From: Raleigh, NC Registered: Aug 2017
posted 04-20-2019 10:14 AM
A great preview show — Always find it amazing that 50 years after such a great event, there is still stuff to learn and in this case new film to see!
The family footage from Frank Borman of the Apollo 8 launch at his house and the Russian footage from krushchev, that has never been seen before, remarkable that all these years later, still new stuff coming forward.
capoetc Member
Posts: 2264 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted 04-20-2019 10:33 AM
I, of course, have not yet seen the documentary.
I noticed as I was looking through the PBS website for the film that one of the people profiled is Poppy Northcutt, who was the first female engineer to work in mission control (during Apollo 8). Her Wikipedia entry states that the crater "Poppy" on the moon was named for her, although Gene Cernan said himself a number of times that the crater "Poppie" was named by him in honor of his father Andy (who was called "Poppie" by his daughter Tracy).
Here is an entry from the Apollo Lunar Surface Journal where, in an interview, Cernan states that the crater has been misspelled as "Poppy" instead of "Poppie", and he gives the actual origin of the naming of the crater (with no mention of Ms. Northcutt).
I wonder whether the crater error finds its way into the documentary?
A E Andres New Member
Posts: 9 From: Boston, Massachusetts Registered: Mar 2019
posted 04-20-2019 02:09 PM
The erroneous story of the Apollo 17 crater being named after Poppy Northcutt certainly does not appear in either the six-hour cut of CHASING THE MOON nor the companion book to be published in June. While the film and book approach the story of the space race rather differently, they both tell of Poppy Northcutt's part in Apollo 8 and Apollo 11. (Sadly her important role in the return of Apollo 13 is not covered in either the book or film.)
We were aware of the Apollo 17 Lunar Surface Journal page about the name origins of the Apollo 17 craters when researching the film and book. At one point there was some consideration about including a short aside about the very literary nature of the Apollo 17 crater names, something that few accounts highlight.
JimSchultze Member
Posts: 17 From: Omaha, NE, USA Registered: Nov 2012
posted 04-23-2019 07:57 AM
I see that this documentary is available on Blu-ray and DVD on 9 July.
A E Andres New Member
Posts: 9 From: Boston, Massachusetts Registered: Mar 2019
posted 05-03-2019 07:01 AM
On May 1, the LBJ Library held a preview screening of Chasing the Moon followed by a panel discussion with filmmaker Robert Stone, Poppy Northcutt, the first woman to serve in Mission Control, and historian Roger Launius. Mark K. Updegrove, president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation served as moderator. The 40-minute program can be viewed here:
On May 2, Stone also appeared on the Public Radio Hour on WLRH, Huntsville in program that also included an interview with Arthur Hullett, one of the early African-Americans working in a technical field at Marshall Space Flight Center during the Apollo program.
This evening National Geographic Theater at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Hunstville will host a preview screening and panel discussion with Stone; Dr. Margrit von Braun, daughter of Dr. Wernher von Braun; and Susan Bellows, Senior Producer with PBS’s American Experience.
Future events: Washington, DC's Newseum on May 8, including a panel with Stone, Bellows, and Joel Banow, director the CBS News coverage of the Apollo 11 landing.
JFK Library, May 23 with Stone, Executive producer Mark Samels, and George Washington University Professor Asif Siddiqi.
rjurek349 Member
Posts: 1220 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
posted 06-02-2019 09:14 AM
Excited to see that the world premiere of Chasing the Moon will be held in Washington, DC on June 22nd. Tickets are on sale now. It will be the only chance to see this amazing documentary in full on the big screen before it begins airing on PBS July 8. (Other premiere events via various PBS affiliates are only showing 50 minute or so excerpts.)
Details can be found here. Saturday, June 22 11:30am - 5:30pm at the E Street Cinema in downtown DC.
thisismills Member
Posts: 451 From: Michigan Registered: Mar 2012
posted 06-17-2019 11:13 PM
Watched a half-hour preview this evening on PBS, really looking forward to this!
Mike Dixon Member
Posts: 1575 From: Kew, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2003
posted 07-15-2019 05:24 PM
Caught this last night on Australian TV... just a stunning show.
Is it available in other regions? Everything points to region 1 only.
ColinBurgess Member
Posts: 2105 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2003
posted 07-15-2019 05:34 PM
I totally agree, Mike. I saw it on SBS in Sydney these last two nights, with the third and last part tonight. Far superior to many of the other fault-riddled programs on the Apollo subject that have recently screened on Aussie TV.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3382 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 07-15-2019 06:24 PM
This is being shown this week in the UK on BBC 4 HD. It does appear that a DVD and a Bluray are available, but allegedly Region 1/A only. (That often isn't the case with Amazon. Perhaps someone buying a copy of the Bluray in the States could indicate if it really is Region 1/A only.)
Meanwhile, I'm making my own Bluray of the series by recording onto a blank Bluray disc. Sadly, and bizarrely, Bluray recorders are harder and harder to find. A real shame. Mine is 8 years old and is without a doubt the best piece of audiovisual kit I have ever bought. I'm trying to treat it gently...
Mike Dixon Member
Posts: 1575 From: Kew, Victoria, Australia Registered: May 2003
posted 07-15-2019 06:45 PM
quote:Originally posted by ColinBurgess: Far superior to many of the other fault-riddled programs on the Apollo subject that have recently screened on Aussie TV.
It's the best things I've seen in years Colin, and I thought I'd witnessed it all. Bordering on the criminal if we're denied a compatible copy.
tegwilym Member
Posts: 2339 From: Sturgeon Bay, WI Registered: Jan 2000
posted 07-16-2019 11:48 AM
Excellent! I've watched the first 2 of 3 episodes. This series rates up there with the new Apollo 11 movie in my opinion. I've never see this much unseen footage before.
This is a great year to be an Apollo nerd!
p51 Member
Posts: 1734 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 07-16-2019 06:37 PM
I only caught one part of an episode last week, but it was so good I ordered the Blu-ray. Just got it yesterday, can't wait to watch the whole thing.
OLDIE Member
Posts: 318 From: Portsmouth, England Registered: Sep 2004
posted 07-17-2019 04:49 AM
I watched the first two episodes on TV yesterday. Fascinating stuff, especially when JFK has second thoughts about spending such a large amount of money on a moon landing.
minipci Member
Posts: 414 From: London, UK Registered: Jul 2009
posted 07-17-2019 07:19 AM
For us in Europe, it looks like a Region 2 DVD will be available on 29th July. Let's hope a Region B Blu-ray will also be available soon.
oly Member
Posts: 1308 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 07-17-2019 07:29 AM
We have just had the final episode screen on TV last night. An excellent examination of the lunar program that covers Apollo from many angles.
J Blackburn Member
Posts: 245 From: Riner Registered: Sep 2011
posted 07-17-2019 09:36 AM
Excellent documentary covering the entire "Chase." The music composed for the series was excellent as well and can be purchased from many different avenues such as iTunes. This will be a series I add to my library of films.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3382 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 07-17-2019 06:13 PM
This is definitely a superior documentary series. So many documentaries on Apollo over the past 25 years have used the same old footage (often very poor quality, even where higher quality exists). This series has managed to unearth a great deal of high-quality material I have never seen before. This has been put together by people who care.
dom Member
Posts: 956 From: Registered: Aug 2001
posted 07-18-2019 04:26 AM
Having watched the two episodes of this stunning series covering Apollo 1 and Apollo 8, here are a few observations:
I had never heard the Apollo fire audio before and it is unbelievably shocking and upsetting. The producers are to be commended for the respectful way it’s used. (Is it the first time this audio has been heard in public?)
Susan Borman is a classy lady but to see her shaking uncontrollably (in the newly found footage of the family watching the lift-off of Apollo 8 at home) really shows the risky nature of that mission.
Walter Cronkite is now officially the “Fifth Beatle” of Apollo. It is no longer possible to remember the moon landing without including him!
ea757grrl Member
Posts: 764 From: South Carolina Registered: Jul 2006
posted 07-18-2019 06:27 AM
I watched "Chasing the Moon" when PBS aired it last week. I've seen so many Apollo-related documentaries that it's difficult for me to get interested or excited; I've seen so many hit the same beats and use the same clips again and again. "Chasing the Moon" was different. There was so much fresh material there, and a familiar story was told in a new and revealing (and sometimes haunting) way. We heard voices we don't often hear from, who added something new. Hearing Bill Anders open up, as he did during the interviews, gave so much humanity to this adventure. And after years of hearing others' accounts it was illuminating to hear Ed Dwight tell his side of his story.
I also have to give a lot of praise to the quality of the material used in the documentary, not just in selection but also in clarity. So much of this footage looked like it was shot or aired yesterday. There were times when film clips seemed to have the frame-rate clarity and freshness of videotape, and it really gave a "you are there" feeling, like history was coming out of the books and happening in front of you. That really helped set this documentary apart for me.
Stone's decision to use the Apollo 1 audio was not surprising; if you've seen some of his other films ("Radio Bikini," for instance) you know he will include hard truths. I muted the audio when I knew it was about to follow, but I did think it was handled with appropriate solemnity. I don't know if it's the first time the audio has been aired (there are stories a certain ABC science editor aired it during a Shuttle launch delay or scrub in the early '80s), but it didn't surprise me when that moment came. And the footage of Susan Borman during Apollo 8 can be hard to watch, not to mention the backstory of how it happened making me cringe a little, but it conveys a human side of the space race you very seldom see.
My personal favorite moments were the clips of network coverage I haven't seen often, and the recollections from those who worked in the news business. Hearing unvarnished opinions about Jules Bergman was a hoot. Hearing Joel Banow talk about being inspired by "2001" in developing how CBS covered Apollo 11, to the point of hiring Douglas Trumbull, and developing the HAL 10,000 to "talk" to Walter Cronkite (and Stone even managed to find a clip of HAL "talking" to Uncle Walter!).
There was so much about this documentary that I genuinely enjoyed, and so much I'd never seen before. Yes, it could be strong stuff at times, but you do feel like you've been on a journey when it's all done. See it, if you at all can.
posted 07-18-2019 09:09 AM
So far, probably the best documentary I have seen. It makes it all feel new again, final two episodes tonight - looking forward to it.
p51 Member
Posts: 1734 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 07-18-2019 03:38 PM
I agree with those above.
I, too, thought I'd seen it all and I watched part of one just to see what it was about. I had a reaction almost as I did for the recent CNN Apollo 11 film. There is indeed an immediate quality of this documentary that I'd never seen other than the previously mentioned CNN film. If you bought or recorded one on video, you'll surely want the other for the same reasons.
After seeing just the one partial episode that discussed Apollo 8, I knew I'd want the rest on video, so I bought the Blu-Ray and loved every minute of it.
Just when you think you've seen it all...
There have been lots of great documentary films recently from different sources, "Cold Blue," for WW2 aviation, "They Shall Not Grow Old" for WW1 are some recent amazing films. This PBS series is right on the same level, in my opinion.
minipci Member
Posts: 414 From: London, UK Registered: Jul 2009
posted 07-18-2019 05:29 PM
quote:Originally posted by astroborg: I was slightly disappointed to see the LM-5 Eagle ascent stage coming back up from the surface with its image flipped left-right. I hope this might be able to be corrected in the final copy of the film, in July.
I just finished watching the series on BBC4, and was disappointed to see that the films of both the undocking and docking of Eagle were still flipped. This occurs in so many documentaries. Surely somebody would have corrected it by now!
Also, why were the last two episodes called "Magnificient Desolation"? Is Magnificient (not Magnificent) a real word?
Apart from that, I thought the series was terrific. I liked how Frank Borman said he was popular everywhere around the world apart from on American campuses!
David C Member
Posts: 1301 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 07-19-2019 02:40 AM
I believe the "flip problem" will persist since the actual footage is flipped as it was taken through a mirror. I think there's a thread on it here somewhere.
No "magnificient" is not a real word. It's a dumb error that should have been picked up.
astroborg Member
Posts: 208 From: Woodbridge, VA, USA Registered: Nov 2000
posted 08-08-2019 02:31 PM
David, please share the thread if you do find it, regarding the cause for the flipped video.
I caught three or four of the episodes and aside from this nit, was very pleased with the production values and new aspects presented. I will buy the Blu-ray.
David C Member
Posts: 1301 From: Lausanne Registered: Apr 2012
posted 08-08-2019 03:30 PM
This is at least one of the threads I was thinking of, not sure if there's another one.
Overall though, I rate this as excellent. One of the best Apollo documentaries I've ever seen.
A E Andres New Member
Posts: 9 From: Boston, Massachusetts Registered: Mar 2019
posted 08-08-2019 05:20 PM
The reversed LM image was used on page 263 of the book of Chasing the Moon. As you will see, I intentionally corrected it by flopping it when the photograph was sent to Random House. We were aware that the footage was reversed in the film, and in this case made the correction when it appeared in the book.
astro-nut Member
Posts: 1018 From: Washington, IL Registered: Jan 2006
posted 08-25-2019 02:57 PM
I purchased the book and DVD together. I am looking forward to the DVD, but want to read the book first.
OWL Member
Posts: 182 From: United Kingdom Registered: Aug 2007
posted 10-24-2021 03:13 PM
Has anyone noticed that there are bonus materials stated on disc number 3 of the "Chasing the Moon" Blu-ray set? I have been unable to find them on the main menu on the disc.
Has anyone else encountered this problem? If not, could you advise me where to find please?
minipci Member
Posts: 414 From: London, UK Registered: Jul 2009
posted 10-28-2021 06:04 PM
Sorry, I can't answer your question, as I don't own the Blu-ray. I was put off buying it on Amazon as it mentions it is region 1.
Is a UK region version available?
OWL Member
Posts: 182 From: United Kingdom Registered: Aug 2007
posted 10-30-2021 06:59 AM
The Blu-ray I have was purchased from Amazon U.K. and plays perfectly on my player. It’s is an excellent documentary with plenty of new footage.