Watch Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo

Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo is a documentary film that tells the story of the people behind NASA's Apollo missions during the 1960s and 70s. The film provides a glimpse into the work that was done by the Mission Control team that helped the astronauts on their historic journey to the moon. Directed by David Fairhead, the movie features interviews with engineers, technicians, and astronauts who contributed to the success of the missions. The film includes footage from the Apollo missions, as well as previously unseen archival material. The interviews provide an insight into the unknown and less talked about behind-the-scenes operations that facilitated the operation of the spacecraft and the safety of the astronauts.

The movie begins by giving a brief history of the United States' early space exploration efforts, including the Cold War and space race with the Soviet Union. The movie then goes on to explore the behind the scenes operations, with the story being told through the eyes of the mission control team, including their technical details, the NASA protocols, their training grounds and their known jargon. The film points out that the mission control team was largely composed of young, inexperienced and dedicated engineers and technicians who faced immense pressure to accomplish what was thought to be impossible.

The film heavily highlights the contributions of three key members of the mission control team: John Aaron, Stephen Bales and Jerry Bostick. John Aaron was an electrical engineer who is celebrated for his quick thinking during the Apollo 12 mission, where he helped the team safely manage a critical failure. Stephen Bales was the flight dynamics officer who is known for his role in guiding the team safely through the lunar landing of Apollo 11. Jerry Bostick was the FIDO or Flight Dynamics Officer who is known for his work on the Apollo 13 mission which experienced a catastrophic failure in space and had to be evacuated.

The documentary also emphasizes the challenges faced by the team, including the Apollo 1 disaster that killed three astronauts during a test flight in 1967. The documentary expresses that the tragedy was one of the greatest motivation for the Mission Control team, making them more focused, and reinforcing their passion for the success of the Apollo missions. The documentary does an excellent job of highlighting the non-glamorous, yet extremely challenging part of the successful space exploration missions.

The film further explores the role of the Mission Control team in the context of the larger cultural and societal transformations of the 60s and 70s. Through interview footage, the documentary highlights the challenges of class, race and gender dynamics, and also how the team's success helped to bring the nation together.

The documentary doesn’t just focus on the successful missions but also vividly explores what happened behind-the-scenes of the disaster on the Apollo 13 mission. The film goes into great detail, explaining the technicalities of the problem and how Mission Control worked together to resolve the crisis. The viewer understands how their combined efforts, which included engineers working around the clock, allowed for the safe return of the astronauts on board.

Overall, Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo offers an intense and engaging insight into one of the most significant moments in American history. The film does an excellent job of highlighting the work of the mission control team, their passion, technical expertise, and dedication. The movie is a fascinating historical account that casts a spotlight on the non-glamorous, yet extremely crucial research departments that made the space programs possible. The movie also serves as an excellent reminder of the teamwork, dedication, and hard work that were necessary for the success of the Apollo missions. The movie is a must-see for space enthusiasts, as well as anyone interested in behind-the-scenes action and teamwork that preceded major achievements in history.

In conclusion, Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo is an informative, inspiring, and emotional documentary that deserves to be watched by everyone who has an interest in space. The film highlights the unsung stories of the heroics, bravery, and expertise of the people who put astronauts on the moon, making it a must-watch for anyone with an interest in history, science, or space. So, take time, and watch this documentary!

Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 71.