A vividly rendered dramatization of Apollo 13's true-life brush with disaster on the way to the Moon in 1971. This mesmerizing film combines computer graphics, archive footage and seamless special effects to recreate the adrenalized odyssey of Astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert who battled astronomical odds to make it back to Earth. Academy Award Nominations: 9, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor--Ed Harris, and Best Supporting Actress--Kathleen Quinlan. Academy Awards: 2, including Best Film Editing.
The true story of the near-disastrous Apollo 13 mission. On April 11, 1970, gung-ho astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and last-minute, less experienced replacement Jack Swigert blast-off towards the moon. But while in space, an oxygen tank explodes, putting the trio in peril: they quickly lose oxygen, run out of power, and get exposed to dangerously high amounts of carbon dioxide. Unbeknownst to them, there are more problems to come, including emotional friction when Jack is (wrongly) blamed for the explosion. Intensifying the situation is the fact that these mishaps catch the scientists and technicians at Mission Control by surprise, and they're not sure how to remedy the situation. Everyone must work together to come up with the right answer -- if the astronauts are to survive...
The film won two 1995 Academy Awards for Best Editing and Best Sound.
Although Ron Howard won the Directors Guild of America award for best direction, he failed to get an Academy Award nomination. This was only the fourth time in almost 50 years that the DGA winner wasn't picked from those directors nominated for an Oscar.
Filmed in anamorphic widescreen, with color by Deluxe, and sound by DTS.
"Apollo 13" opened in the USA on June 30, 1995. It grossed $25.3 million during its opening weekend. The film would ultimately take in $172 million at the box office, making it the 3rd highest grossing film of 1995.
Additional Credits: Jim Hendriksen (Supervising Music Editor);
Bob Olari (Sound Recordist).
Visual Effects: Jenny Fulle (Producer); Cari Thomas (Line Producer); Erik Nash (Director of Photography); Allen Cappuccilli (Supervising Editor); Debra Wolff (Editor).
Digital Effects: Karen E. Goulekas, Mark A. Lasoff and John McLaughlin (Supervisors); Amy Jupiter and Mark Lohff (Producers), Kevin Mack (Art Director).
Music:
"Waiting" by Carlos Santana, David Brown, Gregg Rollie, Mike Shrieve, Jose Areas, & Mike Carabello, performed by Santana.
"Night Train" by Jimmy Forrest, Lewis C. Simpkins, & Oscar Washington, performed by James Brown.
"Beyond the Sea" by Charles Trenet & Jack Lawrence, performed by Bobby Darin.
"Groovin'" by Felix Cavaliere & Eddie Brigati, performed by The Rascals.
"Somebody to Love" by Grace Slick, performed by Jefferson Airplane.
"I Can See for Miles" by Peter Townshend, performed by The Who.
"Magic Carpet Ride" by John Kay & Rushton Moreve, performed by Steppenwolf.
"Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix, performed by The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
"Spirit in the Sky" by & performed by Norman Greenbaum.
"Lemon Tree" by Will Holt, performed by Trini Lopez.
"Honky Tonkin'" by & performed by Hank Williams
"Blue Moon" by Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart, performed by The Mavericks.
Rated BBFC PG by the British Board of Film Classification.
Copyright 1994 Universal City Studios, Inc.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Single Side - Dual Layer
Collectors Edition
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 - French
Dolby Digital 5.1 - Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Film Highlights
Behind the Scenes
Featurette
Documentary: LOST MOON: THE TRIUMPH OF APOLLO 13
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Audio Commentary:
1. Ron Howard - Director
2. Jim Lovell - Astronaut, Marilyn Lovell - Astronaut's Wife
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Text/Photo Galleries:
Production Notes
Biographies: Cast & Crew
Art Director
Bruce Miller: Art Director, Production Designer, began in mid '80s
Associate Producer
Aldric La'Auli Porter: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Associate Producer
Michael Bostick: Producer
Cameo
Frank Lovell: Astronaut
Director of Photography
Dean Cundey: American Director Of Photography
Executive Producer
Todd Hallowell: Producer/Director/Design
Production Designer
Michael Corenblith: Production Designer, HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (2000)
Costume Designer
Rita Ryack: Costume Designer, CASINO (1995)
Review 1:
"...Howard makes all the complicated action clear to the viewer, a feat in itself....Physically, APOLLO 13 pulls off some stunners..."
Source: Variety
06/26/1995
Review 2:
"...It's easily Howard's best film....A triumph of stirring storytelling and heartstopping suspense..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.116 07/13/1995
Review 3:
"...This book-faithful, 2 1/4-hour team effort shrewdly keeps its eye on the ball....The movie will happily repay multiple viewings..." -- 4 out of 4 stars
Source: USA Today
p.1D 06/30/1995
Review 4:
"...Suspense right up to the splashdown..." - Recommended
Source: Premiere
p.119 12/01/1995
Review 5:
"...So authentic, so brilliant in its technical details, that it succeeds in putting us on that ship..." -- Rating: B
Source: Entertainment Weekly
pp.78-9 06/30/1995
Review 6:
"...Ron Howard's film of this mission is directed with a single-mindedness and attention to detail that makes it riveting....This is a powerful story, one of the year's best films, told with great clarity and remarkable technical detail..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.27 06/30/1995
Review 7:
"APOLLO 13 is an astonishing space epic that celebrates the triumph of the human spirit."
Source: Widescreen Review
p.60 06/01/2006