Watch Taming of the Fire

This Russian film tells the story of the origins and development of the Soviet Space Program and missile industry. Though the names were changed due to secrecy concerns, the story very clearly focuses on Sergei Korlev, a well known rocketeer in his country. The story begins with the lead character developing early rockets prior to World War II and how his designs helped him get a release from imprisonment to fight on the front lines. The story follows his work with the rockets that would take the first satellite and first man in space.