Ep 1. Episode 1

Apollo: The Forgotten Films is a documentary series that takes a closer look at the Apollo space missions from the 1960s and 1970s through previously unreleased footage. Episode 1, appropriately titled "Episode 1," focuses on the early years of the Apollo program, from the first unmanned missions to the momentous Apollo 11 landing.

The episode begins with a brief history of the space race between the US and Soviet Union and how President Kennedy's goal to put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s kickstarted the Apollo program. The show then introduces us to some of the key players in the project, including astronaut Neil Armstrong, who would later become the first man to walk on the moon.

We see some incredible footage of the early unmanned missions, including the launch of the Saturn V rocket and the first test of the Lunar Module, which would later be used to land on the moon. The show takes us inside the control rooms at NASA's Mission Control in Houston, where we see the tense moments as engineers and scientists work to ensure each mission's success.

As the program progresses, the focus shifts to the manned missions, beginning with Apollo 7 in October 1968. We see footage of the astronauts, including Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walter Cunningham, as they orbit the earth for 11 days and conduct various tests and experiments.

The episode then moves on to Apollo 8, which was a pivotal moment in the Apollo program. This was the first time humans had ever left Earth's orbit and traveled to the moon. We see footage of the incredible view from the spacecraft as it orbited the moon and hear the crew's awe-inspiring reactions.

Of course, no discussion of the Apollo program would be complete without the iconic Apollo 11 landing. The show takes us through all the major moments of the mission, from the launch to the landing to the triumphant return to Earth. There's some fantastic behind-the-scenes footage, such as the astronauts performing various tasks in zero gravity and the celebrations that greeted them upon their return.

Throughout the episode, there are interviews with various key players, including astronauts and NASA personnel. They offer insights into what it was like to work on the Apollo program and what it meant to be part of this incredible achievement.

Overall, Episode 1 of Apollo: The Forgotten Films is a fascinating look at the early years of the Apollo program. The footage is incredible, and it's amazing to see how much work went into making each mission a success. The show does an excellent job of conveying just how much of an achievement the entire Apollo program was and how it pushed the boundaries of what we thought was possible.