Watch First to the Moon

First to the Moon is a 2018 documentary film that explores the history and the events surrounding the Apollo 8 mission. The movie features the three astronauts Bill Anders, Frank Borman, and Jim Lovell who speak about their experiences during the mission, along with interviews with their families, other NASA personnel, and experts in the space industry.

The film takes the viewer on a journey to the late 1960s when the United States was in a race with the Soviet Union to send the first humans to the moon. The movie captures the atmosphere and the tensions of the time, when the nation was gripped in Cold War tensions and the Vietnam War, while NASA was preparing for the Apollo program.

The movie highlights the scientific and technological achievement that was the Apollo 8 mission, which was launched in December 1968. It presents the mission as a major milestone in the history of space exploration, as it was the first time a human being escaped the gravitational pull of the Earth and orbited the moon. The movie shows the challenges that the astronauts faced, including the physical and mental stress of being on a long-duration mission, and the responsibility of being the first human beings to go beyond Earth's orbit.

The movie is not just a retelling of the story of the Apollo 8 mission, but also presents some rare footage and interviews, which provides a deeper insight into the making of the mission. It shows how the NASA team had to improvise and adapt their plans when the launch was delayed, and how they had to overcome technical difficulties during the mission. The film also covers the communication breakdowns that occurred during the mission, and how the astronauts had to rely on their teamwork and ingenuity to ensure their success.

What sets First to the Moon apart from other documentaries about the Apollo program is the way it humanizes the astronauts and the people behind the mission. The film takes a personal approach, showing how the mission affected the families of the astronauts, and the emotional toll of being involved in such a dangerous and groundbreaking endeavor. The movie also highlights the symbolism and impact of the mission, as it was a unifying moment for the American people and helped to restore national pride at a time of social and political unrest.

Overall, First to the Moon is a well-crafted and engaging documentary that explores the history and the significance of the Apollo 8 mission. It brings to light some lesser-known facts and stories about the mission while providing a comprehensive and entertaining overview of this important moment in space exploration. The film is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of the space program, or for people who simply love a good story of human achievement against great odds.

First to the Moon is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.