The race to the Moon was hotting up between the two Superpowers of the time – The United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
There was more than just pride at stake. It had to do with ideologies... Capitalism vs. Communism... and the winner of this Moon Race would eventually benefit from unimaginable propaganda that would not only help strengthen their own political systems, but would also send an indelible message across the world as to who was the undisputed No.1 Superpower.
In purely scientific terms, it was also a race between two entirely different technologies – Manned vs. Unmanned Voyage to the Moon. The US was consistently losing to the USSR up till then in the Space Race. But, now was the time of reckoning all the previous disappointments would fade away if the Apollo reached the Moon first. The ‘Billion Dollar’ question was – would it reach first?
As expected, the Russians had launched their rocket Luna 15 at around the same time Apollo 11 was launched. The American crew of N. A. Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, and Michael Allen Collins were well aware, when they reached the Lunar Orbit, that their potential nemesis Luna 15 was already in the vicinity. The whole world was holding its breath wondering who would bring back the moon samples to Earth first.
Blame it on fate, or technical failure, or both; blame it on Russia’s ill luck or USA’s good luck, Luna 15 crashed into the far side of the Moon taking along with it the aspirations of the entire ‘Eastern bloc’.
The Americans heaved a huge sigh of relief even if it was cheerless. There was still a job to be done and it was no laughing matter.
This was where the experience and the expertise of the Apollo crew came to the fore. The Eagle would have landed on the edge of a large crater and would have toppled and probably damaged beyond redemption had it depended entirely on its onboard computers. In the end it was Armstrong who took partial control of the tiny Lunar Module and guided it to safety with just 20 seconds of fuel remaining.
The scientists at the mission control were turning blue in the face as an eerie silence prevailed for what seemed to be an eternity. Then Armstrong’s unforgettable words trickled from the Lunar Module, which had just made physical contact with the Moon’s surface, to the Command Centre – “The Eagle has landed.” The rest as they say is history. 20th July, 1969 was a Red Letter day in the history of USA, the same day the ill fated Luna 15 crashed on the Moon.
It is estimated that one-fourth of the entire human population was either glued to the TV or the Radio closely following what was arguably mankind’s greatest achievement in all spheres of life.
As Armstrong stepped down from the tiny cubicle and gingerly put his foot on the dusty lunar surface he made one comment that was as profound as it was simple... “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” They are today acknowledged as the most famous words spoken by any man on Earth. Edwin Aldrin’s description of the lunar landscape as “magnificent desolation” was equally apt and became just as famous. But, why am I ranting 37 years after the Moon was conquered by the human race? Well, I just felt like I too walked on the Moon along side Armstrong and Aldrin, faced the same problems as they did, appreciated the magnificent serenity of the moonscape as they did, and enjoyed a sense of achievement as they did.
The 3D Movie in Imax format “Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon” makes one feel that way. Tom Hanks who was highly successful with his “Polar Express” animation has done a fantastic job. He also lent his voice to the movie wherever voiceover was required in describing the proceedings.
Sets of the moonscape were recreated painstakingly using the accurate images available of the Moon. I recommend this movie to all those people who haven’t lost their scientific temper yet. It’s an unforgettable treat to all the young children who know little or nothing about the lunar landing. For the older people, it is like reliving those long forgotten memories in a more accurate visual 3D format.
The movie lasts for 40 glorious minutes and you strive to watch it unblinkingly not wanting to miss any scene whatsoever. Being more in the form of a documentary, the background commentaries and the voiceovers are essential in understanding the trials and tribulations of the Astronauts and the unsung people at the NASA Command Center. Tom Hanks draws much from the existing NASA archives, reshaping and reconverting deftly wherever necessary to fit the large Imax format. Needless to say, he gives life to those images which lay trapped in the NASA archives for so many years and presents them before the public who had long since forgotten what real achievements are. Tom Hanks, take a bow!
Unfortunately, audiences can watch this movie only where Imax theatres are available, and there are not many outside the major cities of India. The rest can read my review, since I’ve just returned from walking on the Moon.
MBFarookh
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