In the Shadow of the Moon

This film beautifully recalls a glorious time in our nation’s history, a time of my youth that I fear we will never see the likes of again.

These are the stories of the hero’s who went to the moon the story of a time when all Americans indeed the world, were proud to be able to witness such heights. Using archival footage and current day interviews. the beginnings of the Apollo program and the flight that ultimately landed on the moon are explored. It is marvelously edited; using spoken words, images and music take you back to that time. The year 1968 was mostly a terrible one~ the Apollo 11 landing was the one bright spot that not only united us, but the whole world(aside from some grumbling Communists) in the sheer wonder of it all.

Several things struck me, but mostly it was simply the faces of these men. Open, wise and with an indescribable gleam in their eye. They seem to know something only they can know. The first speech in which Kennedy challenged us to go to the moon within the decade is a stirring one indeed. In a second speech he says we must produce “metal alloys not even invented yet”~ an extraordinary statement. In the spirit of full disclosure my ex-father-in -law did develop the alloy that allowed reentry.

As a child, I remember televisions being brought into school rooms for the flights, rushing home to not miss a minute of any of these missions, knowing the awful price they would pay for one misstep. The archival footage is amazing, and interspersed are segments from “I’ve got a Secret” and of course Walter Cronkite.

For those of you old enough to recall these heady days, and those too young to know, I heartily recommend renting this fine documentary.

Peace as always and in all ways~Sage