Houston is a popular location on the Hollywood map. Apollo 13 (1995) is one of the many films shot here. The movie by Ron Howard tells about one of the most dramatic moments in space exploration, a real-life failed lunar mission. The Apollo 13 mission was supposed to be NASA’s third manned landing on the Moon. But a tragic explosion on board the spacecraft forced the astronauts and the flight controllers to undergo a series of life-threatening trials to ensure a safe return to Earth. Houston-trend will tell you more about the film based on real events, which won two Oscars.
STORYLINE
In July 1969, at a party held by astronaut James Lovell, guests witness Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the Moon via a TV screen. He is the first earthling to set foot on its surface. Lovell, who was a pilot of the Apollo 8 spacecraft a year earlier, became one of the first three astronauts to fly to and orbit the Moon. He tells his wife, Marilyn, that he intends to return to space.
Three months later, Lovell has a tour around NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building. It is then that he learns he will be going on the Apollo 13 mission instead of the Apollo 14 because of a crew swap with Alan Shepard’s team.
Lovell, Ken Mattingly and Fred Haise train for their space mission. Before the launch, Mattingly contracts German measles and backup John Swigert replaces him. Marilyn has a disturbing dream about her husband dying in space.
In April 1970, the Apollo 13 spacecraft was launched. As the Saturn V rocket goes up in the atmosphere, it reaches the Earth’s parking orbit despite the failure of the second-stage engine. As soon as the third-stage engine activates to get the spaceshift to the Moon, Swigert turns the command module to dock with the lunar module and steers it away from the spent rocket.
In 3 days, Swigert turns on the fans to stir the liquid oxygen. The spacecraft capsized due to a short circuit that caused an explosion in the oxygen tank. Later, the astronauts discover that another tank is leaking. Everyone convinces Flight Director Gene Kranz that the leak can be stopped by shutting down two out of three fuel cells. However, it does not work. According to the mission rules, the lunar landing must be aborted when there is only one fuel cell left.
Returning to Earth, Lovell mourns his dream of walking on the Moon’s surface. Since the module operates on minimal electrical power and limited water supply, the crew suffers from cold. Haise contracts a urinary tract infection. Subsequently, the carbon dioxide filters run out, resulting in a hazardous level of gas concentration. After some time, the astronauts finally return to Earth.
HOW AND WHERE WAS THE FILM SHOT?
The captivating story of the unsuccessful lunar mission was filmed in a few locations, as the giant Saturn V rockets that delivered the spacecraft to the Moon had long been replaced by space shuttles, which are also delved into history. Therefore, most of the film was computer-generated.
The actual scenes were mostly shot in Los Angeles and Houston. The interiors of the spacecraft were created by the Cosmosphere center, which also restored the Apollo 13 Command Module. Two individual lunar modules and two command modules were designed for the movie. They were made from some original materials so that different sections could be filmed inside them.
The same center created a modified command and lunar module for shooting in a reduced-gravity aircraft, the Boeing KC-135. Actors’ spacesuits are accurate replicas of real astronaut suits. Just like real astronauts, actors inhaled air pumped into the suits when they put on their helmets.
Director Howard expected to have difficulties when trying to realistically shoot zero gravity. He discussed this with Steven Spielberg, who suggested shooting on board the KC-135, where about 23 seconds of weightlessness can be achieved. Howard got permission and assistance from NASA. He had 3 hours and 54 minutes for the filming process, as recreating such scenes with computer graphics is very expensive.
During the 25-second zero-gravity filming period, the actors and crew suffered only from bumps and bruises. Most injuries occurred when they knocked against un-padded objects. The cast and crew described the feeling of weightlessness as a “vomit comet” and “roller coaster ride,” although not everyone felt nauseous.
The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston can be seen in the movie. This is a large space technology complex that serves as the headquarters for NASA.
“HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM”
The movie Apollo 13 popularized the legendary phrase, “Houston, we have a problem.” The filmmakers slightly misquoted John Swigert. When the explosion happened, damaging the spacecraft and ruining the mission, Swigert reported to the Mission Control Center in Houston: “Okay, Houston, we’ve had a problem here.” The phrase is informally used to describe an unforeseen problem.
LEADING ACTORS
The role of mission commander James Lovell was played by Tom Hanks. He began his career with family comedies but gained widespread recognition as a serious dramatic actor. Hanks won an Academy Award for playing the main character in Philadelphia (1993) and Forrest Gump (1994).
Kevin Bacon played as backup/prime Command Module Pilot John Swigert. He is best known for his leading male roles. Bacon is a recipient of the Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award. The British newspaper The Guardian named Bacon one of the best actors who have never been nominated for an Oscar. In 2003, he was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Bill Paxton got the part of Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise. He starred in such films as Aliens (1986), Near Dark (1987), Tombstone (1993) and others. For his role in the HBO drama series Big Love (2006–2011), Paxton was nominated for Golden Globe three times.
The pilot of the Command Module, Ken Mattingly, was played by Gary Sinise. He is a theater and film actor, as well as a director, producer, musician and humanitarian. Besides the numerous awards that confirm the actor’s talent, he also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Mattingly is a philanthropist and supporter of various veteran organizations.
He is also the founder of the Lt. Dan Band, which performs at military bases around the world.
Overall, the movie demonstrates the powerful teamwork of astronauts and accurately reflects the technical challenges encountered by space explorers. Apollo 13 was acclaimed by critics and received nine Oscar nominations, two of which, for Best Film Editing and Best Sound, it ultimately won.
