From the Earth to the Moon (1998)

About From the Earth to the Moon

"From the Earth to the Moon" is an American television mini-series based on the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union during the 1960s. It highlights the significant events of NASA's Apollo missions, culminating with Apollo 17. The series conveys not just the grandeur of the space mission but also the human stories behind it. It was produced by HBO and aired in 1998.

Making / Production

Produced by Tom Hanks, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and Michael Bostick, this mini-series had a high production value. It aimed at mirroring the authenticity of the era and the space missions, especially the monumental lunar landing in 1969. Multiple directors, including Hanks, worked on different episodes providing each one a unique directorial touch.

Actors

• Tom Hanks as Jean-Luc Despont - Tom Hanks served not only as producer and director but also starred as the affable introduction host.
• Nick Searcy as Deke Slayton – Searcy convincingly portrayed the strong and composed Deke Slayton, one of the original NASA Mercury Seven astronauts.
• David Andrews as Frank Borman – Andrews masterfully played the role of Astronaut Frank Borman, who is best known as commander of the historic Apollo 8 mission.
• Stephen Root as Chris Kraft – Root portrayed the intense and devoted Chris Kraft, NASA's first flight director, with impressive depth.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series closely follows the book 'A Man on the Moon' by Andrew Chaikin.
• The mini-series received critical acclaim for its accuracy in the portrayal of the era.
• Each of the twelve episodes tells a separate yet interconnected story about the Apollo missions.

Awards

"From the Earth to the Moon" was lauded in many arenas and was awarded a Primetime Emmy for 'Outstanding Miniseries.' It also received a Golden Globe nomination for 'Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.'

Quotes

• "It's not about the goal, its about the act of going" - Astronaut
• "We went to the moon, and we discovered Earth" - Commentator

Music, Soundtrack

• The uplifting and dramatic orchestral score for the series was composed by Michael Kamen.
• The original soundtrack titled "From the Earth to the Moon" was released in 1998.
• The powerful and emotive music played a significant role in enhancing the viewing experience.