Hey everyone. Capone in Chicago here, with a simple question: How much more do you need to know? This is a exceptional documentary that features with every single surviving Apollo astronaut (with the exception of the ever-reclusive Neil Armstrong) who took a voyage to the moon between 1968 and 1972. I'll repeat, what the hell else do you need to know?

Sure it sounds like a commercial for a space program that has seen better days, but there is very little about this film that feels sugar coated or wrapped in the American flag. These former test pilots and scientists are the only human beings to have seen the earth from another world, and the stories they convey with refreshing honesty and enthusiasm are probably ones they've told hundreds of times, but they still seem so fresh in their minds.

Not only do we get this riveting interviews, but the filmmakers have restored some of the most unbelievable archival footage of the events, footage that has clearly been restored and alone is worth the price of admission. The film documents every success as well as every failure with a frankness that is almost difficult to believe. The one things that IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON is not is a puff piece. It's actually kind of funny to listen to the other Apollo astronauts discuss Armstrong's camera-shy nature; they actually seem a bit shocked at how easily he retreated back in to private life after having done what he did. How could the first man to walk on the moon not want to shout about it every day of his life? The man should be the highest-paid motivational speaker in history. As much as the film is about events, you can't ignore the fine job done at capturing the personalities of these men.

What IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON reminds us of--whether this is its intention or not--is a time when the United States plowed through all sorts of red tape to get a job done on a timeline set by the President near the beginning of the 1960s. It also shows us a moment in history when our country truly was the envy of the world. When we put a man on the moon, people were impressed by and in awe of us all over the world. The footage of people all over the world (even France!) who seemed utterly mad about America is almost hard to watch in retrospect. The film acts as a time capsule of sorts, a reminder of a very different time. This is a movie that beautifully documents this era in history, but it also adds some perspective on our lives today. These aging men have so much history to tell us about, and believe me, you will want to listen. But they also have a perspective about the current state of the planet and how fragile our world truly looks from a different vantage point.

Capone
capone@aintitcoolmail.com