Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 10+
An interesting documentary about the NASA pioneers of the 60s and 70s.
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Videos and photos
What is the story?
MISSION CONTROL: THE UNSUNG HEROES OF APOLLO explores the history of the men (and, yes, they were all men…) who led NASA’s Mission Control during the agency’s early space missions in the 60s and early 70s. The documentary focuses on 10 different people – all from different backgrounds – who ended up working in mission control during NASA’s early triumphs and its failures. They tell the story of bringing men to the moon in the Apollo missions and, of course, the Herculean effort required to save the crew of Apollo 13. Several of the men featured here were actually featured in Apollo 13 — most notably Chief Flight Officer Gene Kranz, played by Ed Harris.
Is it good?
This film offers a compelling lesson in the history of NASA, manned space missions, and the “tough and competent” motto of the people in mission control responsible for keeping astronauts safe. Anyone who saw Apollo 13 he will remember the courage and dedication of the people who answered the call for help, “Houston, we have a problem” with a sense of duty that would not allow failure. Mission control the story of those men, who chain-smoked their way through crisis after crisis, staying overnight and ignoring all responsibilities other than those to the people in space. Despite the early tragedies and tension involved in each Apollo mission, the men also shared moments of levity and joy, such as the celebratory cigars they lit after each successful mission.
As is historically true, the historical portions of the film feature no women and only one man of color (Asian American Bill Moon), but the current flight directors interviewed by the filmmakers include two women. The lack of diversity in the past has not been ignored; one eight-year mission control veteran says the pronunciation of “manned space mission” is quite accurate, because the early days of NASA’s mission control involved only men. (For an alternative view of how women have contributed to NASA, see the excellent Hidden Figures). The interviews with the men are compelling, and it’s clear that they’re all justifiably proud of what they’ve accomplished together to get astronauts into space, to the moon — and back — safely.
Talk to your kids about…
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Families can discuss the history lessons they learned about America’s space missions by watching Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo. How is this film different from drama = films based on the same events?
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How does the mission control team demonstrate teamwork, persistence, and courage? Why are these character strengths important?
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Does watching this movie make you want to watch (or watch again) Apollo 13? If you’ve seen that movie, do you think it portrayed the mission control team well/accurately?
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All members of the historical mission control team were white. Discuss the historical context and reasons why this is the case.
Did we miss something about diversity?
Research shows a connection between children’s healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in the media. That’s why we’ve added a new “Different Representations” section to our reviews, which will be published continuously. You can help us help children