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Author
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Topic: Rocket Science series (Casablanca Media TV)
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Machodoc
Member Posts: 207
From: DE
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 08-22-2005 08:12 PM
   
I bought the three DVD series "Rocket Science" produced last year. I consider myself pretty well versed in the history of spaceflight, and have a pretty decent video library of related material, but this production blew me away! Its over a week after the show and I'm still plowing through the 9 hours of features. Not only have I learned a few things, but I'm really enjoying seeing footage I've never seen before. The fellow at the booth told me it's never aired in the US before due to some litigation, which is too bad. The series was produced by Casablanca Media Television in Canada, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who isn't already a fan. |
DDAY
Member Posts: 48
From: Vienna, VA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 08-22-2005 10:45 PM
My assessment of this set is mixed. Some of the footage is truly unique. I've seen dozens of space documentaries and there was footage in some of these episodes that I have never seen before.On the other hand, the quality of the video for major parts of these episodes is bad. That includes both stuff that I've seen before and stuff that I've never seen before. I don't care if it is unique footage, if it is washed out or blurry or has poor contrast, it has to be really important to include it. Otherwise, it is simply jarring to watch. There were a few scenes that actually made me wince the quality was so poor. |
tfrielin
Member Posts: 162
From: Athens, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 09-04-2007 09:33 AM
Just finished watching the DVD set Rocket Science, a 2004 Canadian documentary covering the early X-plane days at Edwards to Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. I give it a C- . They got some things flat out wrong, like giving the April 1968 date for the first Saturn V launch, ignoring the fact that it was really November 1967. And they made some questionable assertions like the tumbling Apollo 10 LEM Ascent Stage came with in two seconds of crashing into the moon when it went into its gyrations after staging. How could attitude excursions affect the orbit it was in, putting it on a collision course with the surface? Overall, a rather disappointing effort. It was good to see the late Wally Schirra on camera again, though. |
Paul78zephyr
Member Posts: 675
From: Hudson, MA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 01-19-2012 07:43 PM
My son (almost 9) and I have just finished watching this DVD set (well he watched most of it, I watched all of it). We borrowed it from our local public library which had it in their 'teen' DVD section. Unlike some of the other reviews I think this was a very well made documentary series. It charted almost the entire pre-history and history of manned space flight including both American and Russian/Soviet efforts. The episode on the rocket planes (ie X-1, X-15) was especially fascinating as this part of spaceflight history is rarely covered. I especially enjoyed the interviews with Scott Crossfield on the subject. There was a great deal of footage that I had never seen before along with a bit of well worn footage. I will agree that there were a few minor factual errors made, but all in all much of it was right on the mark and in my opinion provided a very good historical context that only the extreme purist would criticize. If I may Id like to site my favorite clip which was from Frank Borman. In less than 10 seconds I think he (who was the consumate American cold warrior and one of the driving forces behind and within the program) summed up up the entire 10+ year, 25+ billion dollar effort when he said: "Im not sure we’d ever have gone to the moon if it wasn’t for the Soviets. We owe them a debt of gratitude." (DVD Disc 1, 'Mercury Rising' episode) | |
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