In the Shadow of the Moon

I've always been space-crazy, so I'm not exactly objective when it comes to documentaries about the Apollo program. I'm probably one of the ten people in the US who actually got misty-eyed when Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton set foot on the deck of the carrier after surviving "Apollo 13".

So when I tell you that "In the Shadow of the Moon" is one of the best documentaries of all time, you might want to take it with a grain of salt.

On the other hand, even if I weren't a space nut, I don't think I could recommend this movie more strongly. The mission to the moon was one of the greatest group endeavors in all of human history, and to hear it described so earnestly and honestly by many of the men who actually walked on the Moon is a revelation.

Some have complained that Neil Armstrong's absence creates a hole in the movie. I disagree. Armstrong is entitled to his privacy, and though I would love to hear him talk about his experience, the other astronauts make up for it, and then some. Especially Alan Bean and Michael Collins, who are engaging and funny as often as they are profound.

"In the Shadow of the Moon" stands with "For All Mankind" at the pinnacle of space documentaries. Every person on earth should see it.

We all know that the Apollo Moon Mission was technical achievement of the highest order. What most of us don't know or realize, that the mission was also a major Human achievement. In this documentary, many of the surviving astronauts recount their excitement, experiences and feelings about the mission. You'll see never-shown-before footage and hear some surprising things.

This is not a dry, dusty bit of history, but a warm recounting of the major human triumph of the 20th century.