Posts: 13480 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted November 05, 2006 11:59 PM
From The Wonder of it All website:
Only 12 men in history have walked on the moon and yet there is no personal account of how these historical missions affected each man personally. The Wonder of it All recounts the narrative of their journeys from childhood to the present. The story unfolds as each astronaut talks candidly about his adventure, with never heard statements until now.
This film has been in the making for 2 years. Our goal is to make a humanistic story that shows these remarkable men talking about there lives and how walking on the moon affected each one personally. We have conducted in depth interviews with 7 of the men that made these journeys. With over 12 hours of footage that we shot, we had the painstaking task of narrowing that down to 90 minutes.
Moonwalkers interviewed for the The Wonder of it All include:
Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11
Alan Bean, Apollo 12
Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14
John Young, Apollo 16
Charles Duke, Apollo 16
Eugene Cernan, Apollo 17
Harrison Schmitt, Apollo 17
A movie trailer and production stills, astronaut profiles and cast biographies are available at www.thewonderofitallfilm.com
The cast and crew will be met by Aldrin and Duke for a private screening at Fox Studios in Hollywood this evening. Director Jeffrey Roth has kindly offered to share photographs from the event with collectSPACE, which will be posted to this thread and Recent Sightings when available. collectSPACE will also publish interviews with the cast and crew, a film festival and screening schedule and other information about The Wonder of it All over the next couple of months.
Posts: 2170 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
posted November 06, 2006 01:08 PM
Only 12 men in history have walked on the moon and yet there is no personal account of how these historical missions affected each man personally.
Does this statement strike anyone as a bit of an exaggeration?
We have autobiographies from Aldrin, Shepard, Mitchell, Scott, Irwin, Duke, and Cernan... with one coming soon from Young. We have biographies of Armstrong and Conrad which draw upon interviews and close personal sources. Granted, some biographies give you more personal details that others do, but books like Aldrin's "Return to Earth" go into a great amount of detail on the subject.
There is also the book Moondust by Andrew Smith, which spends much of its pages discussing how the moon voyages personally affected these men and where they ended up after returning from the moon.
And there is the artwork of Alan Bean, which draws upon his experiences on the moon to convey his feelings to us.
Don't get me wrong... I am eager to see this film and look forward to it with great anticipation. I just think they've exaggerated a little by saying that "there is no personal account" from the men who flew these missions.
Posts: 13480 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted November 06, 2006 01:25 PM
quote:Originally posted by mjanovec: I just think they've exaggerated a little by saying that "there is no personal account" from the men who flew these missions.
I spoke yesterday with director Jeff Roth regarding this description of his film.
It is intended, says Roth, to refer to the record on film, rather than in separate books and/or individual mediums.
We talked of From The Earth To The Moon and For All Mankind as efforts to do as he did with The Wonder of it All but he thought that those focused more on the astronauts' interaction with the hardware and mission goals rather than the way in which each was personally affected.
Posts: 1002 From: BELFAST, UNITED KINGDOM Registered: Feb 2002
posted November 06, 2006 06:24 PM
I can understand Neil Armstrong not participating, but it's a real shame that Dave Scott has apparently declined. His involvement would have meant that all six landings would have been represented.
Posts: 3465 From: Brussels, BELGIUM Registered: Jan 2001
posted November 09, 2006 07:35 AM
This reminds me of a BBC Televsion documentary where they visited the astronauts some 30 years after their flights...
There was also a Dutch version, Apollo Astronauts where are they now, the documentary makers visited each of the Apollo astronaut moonwalkers and even made a book entitled 'In de Ban van de Maan' (Uitgeverij Spectrum 1989 ISBN 90-2742292-3).
Posts: 9 From: Santa Monica, CA, USA Registered: Nov 2006
posted November 09, 2006 08:25 AM
quote:Originally posted by Blackarrow: I can understand Neil Armstrong not participating, but it's a real shame that Dave Scott has apparently declined. His involvement would have meant that all six landings would have been represented.
We tried in vain for almost an entire year to convince Dave Scott's people that our project was worthy of his inclusion. Unfortunately, we could not crack this one no mater how hard we tried. Greg Schwartz finally issued an "ultimatum" that we could not hold up production any longer to include Mr. Scott. It was painful not to have all missions represented for a while, however when we started to realize what all the other willing moonwalkers had given to us, the pain of non-symmetry melted away. We knew that we had something special: Neil and Dave would have added another dimension to our film, but we firmly believe that what we have is not diminished by their absence.
Posts: 241 From: South Carolina Registered: Jul 2006
posted November 09, 2006 01:06 PM
quote:Originally posted by Philip: This reminds me of a BBC Televsion documentary where they visited the astronauts some 30 years after their flights ...
There was also a film released in 1989 called "The Other Side Of The Moon," which basically examined the question of once you flew an Apollo flight, "what do you do for an encore?". Among the astronauts the film talked with (and I'm operating on memory here, so forgive me if it's in error) were Rusty Schweickart, Jim Irwin, Al Worden (who read some of his poetry, and also discussed the "How do you go to the bathroom in space?" incident from the "Mister Rogers" episode), Al Bean (who discussed his artwork), Ed Mitchell (talking about the Institute of Noetic Sciences), Stu Roosa, and Buzz Aldrin.
It aired on the Public Broadcasting Service here in the US, and I remember it was a pretty good documentary. I'd be eager to see "The Wonder Of It All" and see how it measures up!
Posts: 15 From: sherman oaks, ca 91411 Registered: Dec 2006
posted December 22, 2006 01:17 PM
We are proud to announce that "The Wonder of it All" documentary film has been completed and will be making the rounds at certain film festivals TBD. There is a very special advance private screening on June 7th, 2007 at the Kennedy Space Center Convention and Autograph show. There will be an introduction by a Moonwalker TBD.
At our cast and crew screening, Charlie Duke remarked, "I was very moved by the film. I learned a lot (about the guys), because we never talk about this when we get together. It's always the technical stuff. I've never seen a film that has such a depth of Moonwalkers at the same time."
Interviewing 7 Moonwalkers took us over one and half years to complete and with 12 hours of footage, we have made an 81 minute film.
Posts: 51 From: Golden, Colorado, USA Registered: Nov 2006
posted December 22, 2006 01:26 PM
quote:Originally posted by bula: Interviewing 7 Moonwalkers took us over one and half years to complete and with 12 hours of footage, we have made an 81 minute film.
If this ever comes out on DVD, I would like - and perhaps others as well - to have all 12 hours on the disk(s) if possible! Maybe a special edition? I would buy it at any price for the full 12 hours. Filmed interviews with the 12 are so hard to come by.
Posts: 13480 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted January 30, 2007 02:14 AM
On Monday evening, a private screening of The Wonder Of It All was held for Johnson Space Center employees, NASA management and members of the astronaut office. In attendance were the film's director/co-producer Jeffrey Roth and cinematographer/co-producer Paul Basta, who introduced their film before a full theater.
While I intend to publish a more formal and full review timed closer with the film's public debut in the spring, I want to share some early impressions both as a means of whetting appetites and increasing anticipation for its release. Roth and his small but experienced team of filmmakers have crafted an entertaining and engrossing documentary that focuses on the human side of the six successful Apollo moon landings.
The Wonder Of It All features new interviews with seven moonwalkers: Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Ed Mitchell, John Young, Charlie Duke, Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt. They alone serve as story teller/narrator and its their words that move the film forward.
The Wonder of it All is not a linear recounting of the landings, mission by mission. In fact, very little is said of the objectives of each Apollo flight. The focus is instead placed on the astronauts themselves; their common experiences and their different views on similar topics. How did they handle fear? Do they consider themselves explorers? How do they wish to be remembered?
There are stories in The Wonder Of It All that I have not heard before. There is new imagery as well, courtesy the astronauts' personal family photo collections. The film primarily keeps the camera on the astronauts, but NASA archival footage is interwoven throughout, illustrating their commentary.
All of the astronauts share a delightful sense of humor, though Young's dry wit is especially memorable, as is his broad smile after sharing a funny story.
The film's tone is at other times poignant. Given that Monday was NASA's Day of Remembrance, it was particularly powerful to hear the moonwalkers reflect on the sacrifices of their fallen colleagues.
Roth and Basta said at the start of the evening that this screening was of great importance to them, as it was arranged to thank NASA for its assistance making their film possible. Afterwards, it was NASA's turn to express their gratitude, as many in the audience approached the filmmakers to express their pleasure with the film. There were Apollo veterans — people who had worked with the moonwalkers directly — who shared that this film had given them a fresh look at their former colleagues.
I eagerly look forward to the debut of The Wonder Of It All so that everyone has a chance to see this film. Whether you see it this summer at the Kennedy Space Center UACC Show, before then or after, I encourage you to see it when the opportunity arises.
Posts: 175 From: Greenville, SC, USA Registered: Aug 2006
posted March 31, 2007 01:37 PM
This really sounds wonderful, I can already tell without even seeing it that I would want it playing in our apollo exhibit in the mercury7 science center.
Posts: 9 From: Santa Monica, CA, USA Registered: Nov 2006
posted April 07, 2007 12:30 PM
For those of you that want to know, tickets for the World Premiere screening of "The Wonder of it All" are now on sale on the Newport Beach Film Festival website.
In attendance will be Alan Bean and John Young. Captain Young will also give a lecture on Saturday the 21st of April:
PRESERVATION and SURVIVAL Space Exploration & Earth’s Future
By Captain John W. Young, USN, Ret.
APRIL 21st, 2007, 10 AM Radisson Hotel, Newport Beach, CA
Posts: 1134 From: Huntington Beach Registered: Feb 2000
posted April 21, 2007 02:34 PM
I had the pleasure of attending the Newport Beach Film Festival last night for a viewing of, "The Wonder of it All."
I found that this film filled a hole in the history of the space program. Over the years people have lamented how the moon travelers were test pilots and were not able to communicate their feelings and thoughts about the program. Many have written books. In some cases they have done extremely well documenting their thoughts and feelings on paper.
This movie has put the words with the faces. Jeff Roth has allowed us to sit down in the living rooms of Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Ed Mitchell, John Young, Charlie Duke, Gene Cernan, Jack Schmitt, and chat about their experiences. Jeff has really done a great job of engaging the astronauts to bring out a deeper level of intimacy via film that you just can't convey in print.
I found Alan Bean was very funny throughout. Charlie Duke was very warm and my wife's favorite. Gene Cernan was as poignant as ever. Buzz Aldrin opened up a lot and seemed almost vulnerable at times. Ed Mitchell gave us a glimpse of his self and his search for a deeper understanding of our experiences as humans. Jack Schmitt displayed a bit of the adventurer and enthusiasm he has. John Young displayed a bit of his famous dry wit that you have all heard so much about.
The movie is a documentary. It is basically close up head shots of these men sharing their stories for about an hour and a half. There are scenes of their missions well intermixed throughout. I wouldn't categorize this as a date movie, but if you find a significant other that enjoys it half as much you will as a space enthusiast, well, that person is a catch.
This movie is important, and will stand the test of time, and in my opinion be a reference point for generations to come as people look back on the Apollo era.
As a side note, I should relay where Jeff Roth found the inspiration for this film. It was in Burbank, CA. That's right; Jeff was at the Sims Hankow Show in Burbank having lunch when he noticed about three astros several tables away having lunch. He marveled at the people in the restaurant who were oblivious to who was in the room with them.
So, in a sense we should thank Steve and Nolan again for some of the good which has come out of one of their classic shows. These shows, and others like them, are each classic moments in time that we can share and should not be missed by anybody.
Sorry for going on so long. There is more I would like to write about the talks and the John Young lecture today in Newport Beach too. Suffice to say, everything you have heard about John Young being a really funny guy, with a dry sense of humor is true.
I would personally like to thank Robert for the opportunity to see these events.
Posts: 13 From: Laguna Niguel CA, USA Registered: Feb 2007
posted April 21, 2007 07:20 PM
It was nice to see that the movie theater was completely full for the movie. I couldn't see any empty seats. The people in attendance gave the movie a great response. It was nice to see the filmmakers get that sort of thank you for all of the time and effort they put into it.
A neat part of the evening is that the starting time of the premiere (6:30 PST) was within 7 minutes of being exactly 35 years after the Apollo 16 lunar landing (the landing was at 6:23 PST on 4/20/1972). Even John Young seemed to be surprised about this.
As a humorous side note, the city of Newport Beach gave Alan Bean a proclamation naming April 20 Alan Bean Day. However, they also gave a similar proclamation to John Young. The mayor joked that one got the first half of the day and the other the second half.
John's talk on Saturday morning found him in fine wit.
All in all, the filmmakers and the Newport Beach Film Festival are to be commended for organizing a set of outstanding events.
Posts: 9 From: Santa Monica, CA, USA Registered: Nov 2006
posted April 23, 2007 02:45 PM
quote:Originally posted by Aztecdoug: I found that this film filled a hole in the history of the space program. Over the years people have lamented how the moon travelers were test pilots and were not able to communicate their feelings and thoughts about the program...
This movie is important, and will stand the test of time, and in my opinion be a reference point for generations to come as people look back on the Apollo era.
Kind words indeed. Jeff & I appreciate your comments greatly, and while we're enjoying the feedback from our World Premiere, we also have a great deal of gratitude towards all who gave freely to our project. Our astronauts especially have been most gracious with their willingness and candor. I hope that this film will be worthy of your praise regarding standing the test of time: I guess we'll find out. We are headed to Houston and the Houston Worldfest this next week to screen "The Wonder of it All" for the festival. Once again, thanks for your post Douglas.
Posts: 407 From: Los Angeles CA. USA Registered: Jan 2005
posted April 23, 2007 08:22 PM
I also attended the premiere last Friday and had a great time.
Before the movie a private wine and cheese reception was held nearby in Fleming's restaurant and was attended by both astronauts and a few old hands in the space program, and hosted by Jeff Roth and Paul Basta.
The film itself is a wonderful film interviewing almost all the living moonwalkers (except Armstrong and Scott) and hopefully will be seen around the country near you soon. I personally believe it is better and different than Al Reinharts "For All Mankind" as it is a interview film and not a talking heads feature. You will enjoy it.
Captain Young's Earth Day speech was about his vision for space exploration and why we must go out there. His speech marked 35 years since his walk on the Moon on Apollo 16. I wish he had spoken longer.
Posts: 705 From: Camden DE (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted June 14, 2007 05:58 PM
When this film is shown in your area, GO SEE IT! It is a spectacular film, and I found that it took a while for it to sink in after watching it -- I found that I liked it even more the next morning after having some time to reflect.
posted June 14, 2007 08:21 PM
Any word on when this movie will be shown in the Metro Detroit Michigan area? Hearing so many good things about it I can't wait to see it!
Posts: 429 From: Centreville, VA, USA Registered: Feb 2007
posted September 09, 2007 08:42 AM
I am happy to see that the next screening in the USA of this by-all-accounts-wonderful movie will be on the National Mall in Washington, DC on Oct. 13. The film's official website doesn't have any more details. I'd think that if it were going to be at Air & Space they would say so. Perhaps it will be outdoors? I VERY much wish I could have been one of the lucky ones who attended a screening with Apollo astronauts, but this will still be great. More details will hopefully be on their website soon.
If any cS members want to see it together so we can discuss our impressions a little afterwards, please let me know.
Posts: 290 From: Atlanta, GA, USA Registered: Feb 2007
posted September 10, 2007 12:57 PM
There is an interview with Buzz Aldrin about this film Tuesday September 11 at 7.30 EDT on XM satellite radio. Channel 133 also known as XMPR.
Posts: 13480 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted October 04, 2007 09:10 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: I believe that this screening will indeed be at the National Air and Space Museum's flagship building on the National Mall.
The Wonder of It All Special Movie Screening Saturday, October 13, 8:00 PM Lockheed Martin IMAX® Theater National Mall Building Admission: Free, Tickets Required Ticket Request Form
Join the National Air and Space Society for a special showing of The Wonder of It All, introduced by Director/Executive Producer Jeffrey Roth. This award-winning 90-minute documentary features interviews with seven moonwalkers who talk about their lives and how walking on the moon affected them personally. Many of the photos in the film were donated by the astronauts from their private collections and have never been seen before.
After the movie, Roth will answer questions about his passion for preserving human spaceflight history and his experiences in making this film.
Posts: 13480 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted October 05, 2007 10:31 AM
California Space Authority release
'The Wonder Of It All' Space Film Captures Fresh Moonwalker Stories
President Edmund Burke of Space Information Laboratories, Inc. (SIL) announced today that the critically acclaimed, award-winning documentary, "The Wonder of It All," will have a special viewing open to the public on Saturday, November 17, 2007.
The film, to be shown at the Endeavour Center near Vandenberg Air Force Base, is an 82-minute documentary produced and directed by Jeffrey Roth, that explores the lives of seven of the twelve astronauts who walked on the moon, and the impact that event had on their lives.
"The Endeavour Center Open House and special viewing of the 'The Wonder of it All' space film will motivate students to explore space science and technology," explained Burke. "The film will inspire students, families and the public to appreciate life on Earth, and provide motivation to follow their dreams in pursuing high-tech careers." Burke's organization, SIL, is actively involved in programs that inspire the next generation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and is also a participant of the California Innovation Corridor that is funded by the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative.
"The Wonder of It All" focuses on the "rarely told human side of the men behind the Apollo missions to the Moon," added the film's Executive Producer/Director Jeffrey Roth. "This film weaves the astronauts' insightful interviews with rarely seen private family photos and NASA archival footage to poignantly tell their unique story in their own words."
Described by NBC News Space Analyst James Oberg as having "seamless editing" with a narrative that is "absolutely perfect," it is not surprising that the film took "Winner - Special Jury Award for Documentary from Worldfest, and won Second Place at the Rhode Island International Film Festival. The film delves into the lives and experiences of former astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Edgar Mitchell, Harrison Schmitt, Charles Duke, Eugene Cernan and John Young, and took over two and a half years to produce.
"The Endeavour Center is offering us a great opportunity to see this film," noted California Space Authority (CSA) Media/PR Manager, Wil Simon. "Roth's documentary is a compelling, humanistic story, about how each man was affected in a unique way by walking on the surface of the moon. People love to know what makes a pioneer 'tick' and this film offers a unique perspective on these men."
"The Wonder of It All" has special screenings scheduled for October 13th at the Smithsonian - National Mall in Washington, D.C., October 21st at the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival, and October 22-23rd in Norway at the Bergen International Film Festival.
Posts: 705 From: Camden DE (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted October 05, 2007 01:12 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: I believe that this screening will indeed be at the National Air and Space Museum's flagship building on the National Mall.
Has anyone heard if there will be any other "guests" attending the NASM screening besides Mr. Roth?
Posts: 177 From: New Haven, CT USA Registered: Oct 2001
posted October 10, 2007 11:17 AM
Just to be clear, the film is not in IMAX format, correct? I have not seen that stated for sure so I was wondering when I heard it would play at NASM's IMAX theater. I am considering making the trip but it is kind of far to go just for a movie. Of course I know this is not just any regular film.
After that Vandenberg AFB showing is that it? Is it possible it would play anywhere else after that? I hate to miss it. I loved "In the Shadow of the Moon" so it sounds like "Wonder of it all" certainly would complement that.
Posts: 181 From: Ellicott City, Maryland Registered: Dec 2005
posted October 14, 2007 06:59 PM
The film is not in IMAX but really does not need to be. I saw the film last night at the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC with Garry Laing who was so nice to come all the way from Hagerstown Maryland to pick me up in Ellicott City. An hour out of his way. I am really greatful.
This is an outstanding documentary that really puts you into the heads and the thinking of seven of the moonwalkers. One speaks after another and it's seamless. As one Astronaut is finishing his sentence another begins to speak. Although they were all interviewed their thoughts run together, it's a really wonderful how the producers did this and it had a nice flow. I thought this film could have been several hours longer and I would not have gotten tired. Hearing the moonwalkers say "IT" in their own woirds is extremely interesting! They really opened up.
It was also interesting seening the collections and books they had in their homes or offices. Buzz had several models and books behind him. I hope that this will someday be on DVD or VHS.
We saw Tom Jones there he stopped to say hello when a lady grabbed him by the arm and pulled him away so fast. Oh well....
posted October 14, 2007 07:28 PM
I attended last night also and enjoyed it. Mr Roth and Mr Basta were somewhat vague during the Q&A about their marketing plans. I didn't get a chance to ask them directly if they plan on selling a DVD in the future that will contain some the archived 14 hrs of interviews. They are quite proud of the many hours of video they have, but will they be sharing any of it with the general public on a DVD set? If they're restricted on what they can say at this point due to on-going negotiations, I can understand that, but they didn't seem to be very forthcoming last night about any plans or desires for future products. Are they able to provide any additional detail on this forum?
posted October 14, 2007 07:37 PM
I also saw something else that seemed strange. During the Buzz Aldrin interviews, there were several books on the shelf behind him. At some point during the filming the books "Lost Spacecraft" and "Back to the Moon" were switched out with each other. As the filming of his comments was obviously not in order, it was quite obvious to several of us in the audience to see a different book in place for almost each session. Was there some reason the books were switched? It almost seemed like some sort of subliminal message. Not a big deal but just curious...
Posts: 103 From: Germantown, WI USA Registered: Jan 2004
posted October 14, 2007 08:19 PM
quote:Originally posted by Kevmac: Was there some reason the books were switched?
I asked Jeffrey Roth about this when I saw the film at the USSRC as part of the Saturn/Apollo Reunion, inquiring as to whether there was a story behind it.
Nothing quite so interesting. One of the crew noticed the "Lost Spacecraft" book, thought it had a negative connotation, and they swapped it out.
Posts: 13480 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted October 14, 2007 08:34 PM
This was also noticed and written about by Jim Oberg in his MSNBC article/review of the film (linked earlier in this thread):
This rearrangement of the stream-of-consciousness narratives into a cogent, coherent exposition is illustrated by one delightful flub in continuity on the part of the interviewers. As clips from comments by one of the astronauts appear throughout the documentary, the books on a shelf behind him in his study arrange and rearrange themselves back and forth between two different configurations. Clearly, halfway through the interview, the cameraman had the idea to move a moon-related book into a more prominent position.
posted November 05, 2006 11:59 PM
