Posts: 237 From: Amarillo, TX, USA Registered: Dec 2006
posted 05-03-2007 07:06 PM
In light of Wally Schirra's recent passing, I thought I would dust off "From the Earth to the Moon" and watch the episode about Apollo 7. Did Wally Schirra ever comment about his feelings on how Mark Harmon portrayed him in regards to accuracy?
E2M Lem Man Member
Posts: 846 From: Los Angeles CA. USA Registered: Jan 2005
posted 05-09-2007 07:46 PM
We had a lot of fun doing the series. All of us who worked as advisors made cameos. Even Andy Chaikin appeared as the moderator on "Meet the Press" in episode one! For those that don't know me, I was the pencil tapping engineer on "Spider" (See my bio in the thread 'Who are you?' as for how I got there).
As for Wally Schirra, he loved the show. He even loaned Mark Harmon his Naval Academy ring for the episode. In pre-production they spent a day together and kept in touch after the show.
Many people don't know this, but Tom Hanks received a NASA service medal from former administrator Dan Goldin in April of 2000.
As for Hanks the collector, at one point he wanted to take the Mercury capsule from episode one and put it in his garage and put some TV's in the porthole windows and have fun flying Mercury missions on his days off. Hey, it was his show!
I will never forget the first night we lit the Moon. On that night of the lighting test, I was at the lunar module ladder working on the leg when we turned off the overhead lights and turned on the 10 huge movie lights focused at a single mirror and then aimed at the surface.
At that moment I was transported to Tranquility Base and I felt that I went to every one of the six landing sites over the next month we shot there.
music_space Member
Posts: 1193 From: Canada Registered: Jul 2001
posted 05-13-2009 05:38 AM
quote:Originally posted by divemaster: I do know that the Beans really like Dave Foley.
Here is a video montage meant as a kudo to actor Dave Foley, who of course plays "Beano" in From The Earth To The Moon. Video from the series is edited, with a pop song from Travis as a soundtrack. The song is a poor thematic match, but it nicely wraps it up in a X-generation televisual format.
Last November at KSC, I asked Mr. Bean his thoughts on the emotional side of acting in the series. He seemed to think that it represented adequately the way the Apollo astronauts felt at the time.
Posts: 1838 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
posted 02-10-2011 09:41 PM
Now this is real trivia, but I just watched the "Galileo Was Right" episode for the umpteenth time.
But, when Jack Schmitt tried to recruit Lee Silver, Lee was observing a rock, and asked Jack what he thought. Jack correctly identified the green mineral as olivine, but previously called the other side of the rock "granite". Granite is a light colored rock, not dark or gray rock as shown.
But it doesn't change my opinion that this episode it the best in the series.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3668 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 07-20-2011 08:11 PM
I was rather hoping to be able to replace my DVD set with a Blu-ray set. Is there any indication that this series will be released on Blu-ray? Was it even filmed in high definition?
cv1701 Member
Posts: 31 From: Registered: Apr 2008
posted 07-21-2011 11:51 AM
The series was filmed on film, which by itself would be more than capable of being upgraded to high definition. The potential problem, though, would be if the series was edited on video equipment and the masters exist only on standard definition video tapes.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3668 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 07-21-2011 08:21 PM
Ah, the benefits of later technology...
mode1charlie Member
Posts: 1439 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
posted 07-21-2011 10:38 PM
I'm pretty sure it was shot on film, but I remember reading somewhere that the issue is that it was edited for the 4:3 aspect ratio, so they would have to go and re-edit the entire thing again in 16:9.
Unlikely, as much as I'd love for it to be otherwise.
Pat Gleeson Member
Posts: 44 From: Limerick, Ireland Registered: Aug 2009
posted 07-23-2011 05:07 PM
In fact I understand the Signature Edition cropped the original 4:3 aspect ratio to fit 16:9 displays.
As the first HBO US DVD release was 4:3, this is how it should be presented on Blu-ray - pillarboxed.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3668 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 07-23-2011 05:19 PM
I'm scratching my head here: I have the NTSC DVD set issued a few years before the Signature Edition. I need an all-region DVD player and NTSC-capable TV to view it, but it produces a perfect widescreen (16:9) picture, with no obvious loss either at the sides or top and bottom.
FFrench Member
Posts: 3292 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
posted 08-30-2011 07:04 PM
A talk and book signing in Pasadena allowed Al Worden and me to get together with some LA-area friends - Tom Jones, on business at Caltech, space writer Michael Cassutt, and actor Michael Raynor and his girlfriend.
Raynor, you may recall, played Al Worden in "From the Earth to the Moon," and until that evening the two of them had never met. As you can see from these photos and video, they got on together extremely well.
At the book signing, Al presented Michael with a From the Earth to the Moon poster signed "To Michael - The Real Al Worden."
Panther494 Member
Posts: 572 From: London UK Registered: Jan 2013
posted 12-16-2018 08:37 AM
I've been re-watching the fantastic HBO series "From the Earth to the Moon" and Episode 3, "We Have Cleared the Tower," covers a film crew documenting Apollo 7. Did this actually take place?
If so, what happened to the footage? Was it used anywhere, at anytime? Is it available?
Editor's note: Threads merged.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51768 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 12-16-2018 04:53 PM
The documentary was fictional. It was a storytelling device invented by episode writer Remi Aubuchon and director Lili Fini Zanuck.
Panther494 Member
Posts: 572 From: London UK Registered: Jan 2013
posted 12-16-2018 06:05 PM
Thanks Robert. That's such a shame, would've been fascinating to see.
skye12 Member
Posts: 49 From: Austin, TX, USA Registered: Feb 2001
posted 04-18-2019 12:53 PM
Just received notification that the Tom Hanks "From the Earth to the Moon" miniseries is available for pre-order from Amazon. Three Blu-ray discs and Digital HD copy.
Date of release: July 16, 2019.
Buel Member
Posts: 890 From: UK Registered: Mar 2012
posted 04-18-2019 02:04 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: The documentary was fictional.
This is why I can't bring myself to watch this. Give me factual every day of the week!
ringo67 Member
Posts: 196 From: Seekonk, Mass., USA Registered: May 2003
posted 04-18-2019 02:29 PM
I just re-watched "From the Earth to the Moon" recently while being laid up after hand surgery. I was amazed at how well it held up. The CGI looked a bit dated, but otherwise I really enjoyed it.
I don't think I had watched it all the way through in about 10 years. I even found my least-favorite episode "We Interrupt this Program" (I'm an old school newspaperman) much more palatable. Maybe it's because the news media has changed even more over the past 20 years.
And I had forgotten Bryan Cranston played Buzz Aldrin. The look on his face when Armstrong was being asked about going out first, spoke volumes. Great stuff!
mrspacehead Member
Posts: 46 From: Registered: Jun 2017
posted 05-31-2019 10:12 PM
quote:Originally posted by skye12: Three Blu-ray discs and Digital HD copy.
Any update on this?
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 1008 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 06-04-2019 03:19 PM
And will it be presented in letterbox?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51768 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-08-2019 09:55 AM
No further details (other than this will be Region A/1), but here is the cover art:
mode1charlie Member
Posts: 1439 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
posted 06-08-2019 05:04 PM
Is there any indication whether or not HBO will also release FTETTM on iTunes?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51768 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
HBO is once again launching its viewers "From the Earth to the Moon."
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing in July, the network is presenting an encore of its Emmy-winning 1998 miniseries that chronicled NASA's Apollo moon missions. All 12 hour-long episodes have been digitally remastered to be in high definition.
Panther494 Member
Posts: 572 From: London UK Registered: Jan 2013
posted 06-26-2019 01:55 AM
This is excellent news. Thank you HBO for spending the time and money to create new CGI effects. Not that the originals were bad but this great series deserves the best and what better time to re-release.
Can't wait.
capoetc Member
Posts: 2354 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted 06-26-2019 06:02 AM
quote:Originally posted by Buel: This is why I can't bring myself to watch this. Give me factual every day of the week!
I highly recommend that you alter your stance for the sake of watching "From the Earth to the Moon."
Does the program take some dramatic license for the sake of telling the story in an interesting way? Yes.
But ... as you watch the series, you cannot help but recognize that virtually everyone involved with the project was obsessed with getting the story right. And they succeeded spectacularly in that regard.
So, you can dogmatically stick to a "documentaries only" approach, or, you can give FTETTM a chance and watch as highly talented actors reflect, for example, on the Apollo 12 moon walk on their way back to Earth and ponder, "Is that all there is?"
Seriously, watch the program. And, if you find someone who might have an interest in Project Apollo, FTETTM is a perfect way to introduce them to the story.
Jymp Member
Posts: 22 From: Registered: Jan 2012
posted 06-26-2019 06:12 AM
quote:Originally posted by spacecraft guy: FTETTM inherited some of the models from Apollo 13, and they were repainted to be more accurate. But for the majority of the shots showing the Saturn V in flight, they modified another 1/96th scale Revell Germany Saturn V, and still didn't take the time to get the details right.
The Saturn V in "Apollo 13" is terrible so much so I have to skip that part watching. With all the photos of Saturn V's there are no excuse why Hollywood couldn't have got this right, Hanks and Scott for sure know better, they should have spoke up. If any Apollo movie needs a CGI correction "Apollo 13" is the one.
capoetc Member
Posts: 2354 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted 06-26-2019 08:15 AM
Interesting ... I recall Buzz Aldrin asking about the Saturn V launch in "Apollo 13," wondering where Ron Howard got the high definition footage for the shot; he was surprised to learn that the footage was not actual footage of a Saturn V launch.
mrspacehead Member
Posts: 46 From: Registered: Jun 2017
posted 06-26-2019 09:55 AM
I think Todd Douglas Miller mentioned in an interview that the 70mm film collection covered several flights, including Apollo 13. Maybe Buzz was referring to that?
Also, is there any chance that extras like deleted scenes are included in this release? I’m thoroughly looking forward to this!
mf451 Member
Posts: 85 From: NY, NY Registered: Nov 2014
posted 06-26-2019 10:18 AM
quote:Originally posted by capoetc: I recall Buzz Aldrin asking about the Saturn V launch in "Apollo 13,"
I recall this quote, too. I think it may have been in a segment discussing the special effects for the film, but I cannot remember for sure. Maybe it was on that old show Movie Magic?
And, to get back on topic, I am pretty excited that "From the Earth" will soon be available for streaming! Was just thinking about how I'd love to watch it again.
jdcupp Member
Posts: 50 From: Ardmore, TN Registered: Jul 2009
posted 07-17-2019 10:32 PM
Well, I just received my long awaited copy of FTETTM, and have made it through most of the episodes. The HD remastering is beautiful, with the clarity of some scenes downright impressive; however, I am very disappointed in the touted CGI revisions and in some inexplicable artistic changes (or lack of them).
In my opinion, the spacecraft renderings in the original production were in many cases more accurate. In the new HD version, the LM is laughable and creates more continuity errors than were in the original. The LM looks like a poorly rendered toy with missing antennas and details the earlier lower resolution version had.
The rendering of Freedom 7 has now become what appears to be Freedom 7 II with extra experimental packages attached to the retro pack. Normally, I wouldn't be so particular regarding movie inaccuracies; but, when the original is superior to what are supposed to be improvements — that's a different matter.
One sequence in particular that illustrates a watering down of artistic impact is when (in the original) Freedom 7's colorful parachute and cords transform into an equally colorful American flag with ticker-tape and color parade footage. In the new version, the transition is to black and white which to me weakens the impact.
Of course, the original was not without errors (like the occasional shifting from a Saturn IB to a Saturn V in the Apollo 7 launch scenes), which I am surprised they did not fix. So I have bittersweet opinions regarding this latest version of what I believe to be the best mini-series ever produced on TV.
I can't help but think that our fellow space fan, Tom Hanks, had little or no input in the revisions (knowing his appreciation of accuracy when it comes to spaceflight depictions). So, in a nutshell — loved the HD... hated the CGI.
bwhite1976 Member
Posts: 287 From: Belleville, IL Registered: Jun 2011
posted 07-19-2019 02:38 PM
To anyone that subscribes to HBO, this series is now available to stream.
capoetc Member
Posts: 2354 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted 07-19-2019 05:58 PM
As I write this, I am watching the second episode of FTETTM.
I am less critical, perhaps, than some others are regarding the technical things. For me, they do not detract from what is a well told story that captures many varied aspects of both the program and the times.
Highly recommended.
jdcupp Member
Posts: 50 From: Ardmore, TN Registered: Jul 2009
posted 07-20-2019 04:38 PM
Call me critical, but after having appreciated the gem that FTETTM was for so many years, artistically and technically — I expected better. What really drew the line on the new version for me was seeing the egress platform and ladder mounted on the back of the LM (during PDI in "Mare Tranquilitatis"). I almost did a spit take.
Jymp Member
Posts: 22 From: Registered: Jan 2012
posted 07-21-2019 08:07 AM
With all the NASA photos, film, astronaut input etc., Hollywood keeps getting external shots wrong in every space movie they produce, you can go down the list, FTETTM is the most accurate so far, but for Apollo 13 wish someone somehow could get in touch with Ron Howard at Imagine Entertainment, ask if a CGI correction could be done for the Saturn V in Apollo 13? They'd sell more DVDs of it for sure.
bthumble Member
Posts: 289 From: Houston, Texas Registered: Nov 2007
posted 07-22-2019 08:20 PM
Where is the digital code redeemable? Is it iTunes? Thanks.
Jymp Member
Posts: 22 From: Registered: Jan 2012
posted 07-28-2019 06:07 AM
Just finished watching the Blu Ray release of FTETTM. They managed to screw it up!
It's bad, shockingly bad in fact. The new CGI has issues in about every episode. No roll black roll pattern on the Saturn 1B in the Apollo 7 episode, LM ladder on the backside of the the Eagle in the Apollo 11 episode, Earth and the moon look like an oversaturated Playstation game, and various parts just left out completely.
If you have the 2005 Signature edition keep it safe, it's the best version by far.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51768 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-28-2019 08:00 AM
This clip from the Apollo 11 episode released by HBO shows some the new CGI, including the misplaced ladder on the lunar module.
oly Member
Posts: 1464 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 07-28-2019 08:26 AM
If the lunar ladder is to be questioned, the colour of the suit neck ring, the position of the bubble helmet feed ports, and the cut of Armstrong's snoopy cap, etc. should be added to the list.
It was after all a television series made on a budget. I believe some allowance for error should be allowed. The series still hold up as one of the best made on the subject.
Jymp Member
Posts: 22 From: Registered: Jan 2012
posted 07-28-2019 11:25 AM
All they had to do was make the resolution better for Blu Ray, nope they had to change the CGI, then leave out some parts, why? If it ain't broke don't (try) to fix it. Howard and Hanks might (?) not be happy about this.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51768 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-28-2019 11:43 AM
You cannot just increase the resolution of the original CGI; unlike the film, which can scanned at a higher resolution, the CGI was produced for standard definition. The only way to produce a high definition version was to redo it.
That said, more care could have been taken to match the new CGI to the original.
quote:Originally posted by oly: ...should be added to the list.
The difference is that those errors were in the original production. Things like the ladder position were added with the new CG, when they had a ready reference (the original series) to avoid such errors.
The series is still enjoyable and it is a good thing that is available in HD now. The newly-introduced errors are just unfortunate.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51768 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-28-2019 06:02 PM
The misplaced ladder aside, an HBO representative noted on Twitter that the newly-rendered lunar module was "skinned" in part using imagery of LM-2 at the National Air and Space Museum.
Also, via Twitter it appears that HBO produced an embroidered, Apollo 8-inspired mission patch for the remastered series, which was gifted to those who took part in the National Air and Space Museum's "tweet-along on July 20.
posted 05-03-2007 07:06 PM
advertisement