Out Of This World: The Apollo Moon Landings

The story of our journey to the Moon is chronicled in this exciting review of the Apollo space program compiled from newly restored NASA footage. Tracing the events which led up to the Moon landings, including the unmanned lunar missions, Gemini flights, and preparatory missions of Apollo 8, 9, and 10, the centerpiece of the program is the historic landing of Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969. It would cost 40 billion dollars and require the combined efforts of some 300,000 men and women. Astronaut's Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin would land with only 30 seconds of fuel left, and they would only spend two hours on the surface before beginning the trip back home. In subsequent missions, Apollo 12-17, there would be more time for research and fun, and Out of This World offers excellent examples of both activities, ranging from collecting lunar rocks to Alan Shepard becoming the first man to swing a golf club on the moon (which kind of resembles the ultimate sand trap from a golfer's perspective). Written and produced by Steve Skootsky, Out of This World: The Apollo Moon Landings is an excellent overview of the Apollo missions and is highly recommended. (Available from: Finley-Holiday Film Corp., 12607 East Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA 90601; (800) 345-6707.)