Apollo 8/Apollo 11/Mighty Satu

Most importantly, we set out to present the complete television transmissions and onboard motion picture film for individual missions - material that just hasn't been available before. This material is purposely left in its original form, albiet with new digital transfers, color correction where necessary and possible, and digital noise reduction.

To do this we realized we would have to use certain unconventional methods. For example, we wished to present multiple angles of footage from rollout, suitup, etc. To do this required us to use different angles out of context, so that from time to time certain events were shown a couple of times so that the varied angles could be presented. Unless one realizes this was done to present multiple angles one might mistake it for material out of order.

Nearly all of the 16mm film from EVA training, suitup, astronauts visiting the launch pad (all of which was re-transferred from the original using modern, digital telecines) was shot silent, and since we also wished to present as much audio as possible from mission events such as countdowns, we have married this audio to that footage. The result is the maximum amount of primary source material available on the subject and results in important audio from other events used on previously silent film.

Lastly, especially for launch vehicles, we wanted to present the material we had only previously seen in short clips on documentaries, such as pad cameras, in its entirety. For those interested in the creation and flight of these vehicles, this material is fascinating, and filled with insightful information.

Much of the material on these sets is presented, purposefully, the way it was shot. Some of the Hollywood storytelling created on this subject is wonderful, we love that, too, but as a chronicle of the greatest explorations of mankind the material deserved to be presented without such a filter. This is the way it happened, and it is amazing.

Very soon in 2004, a six-disc chronicle of Apollo 15 and a three-disc edition on the Saturn V will be released.

As someone who doesn't remember Apollo well (and has no memory of any of the stuff before it) I must admit they are a wonderful way to relive or explore that age of history. The Apollo 11 and Apollo 8 sets have all the TV that the astronauts did on the way to the moon, only a tiny part of which I had ever seen. I had no idea there was this much TV and film from the missions. Mostly one sees the same clip over and over but these sets opened my eyes.

The Gemini set contains a very interesting documentary, plus interesting silent material (they feel like home movies!) on the first disc and footage from each mission on discs 2 and 3. I really didn't watch the two other discs, but my husband has been amazed at the quality and just loves it.

The Saturn set also contains a show, plus two discs with close up pictures of the rockets launching... again, a huge hit!

I think the big draw for the sets is:

1) you can see it all uncut, as it happened
2) there are lots of parts you've never seen before
3) it looks terrific on DVD

I would also highly recommend them as a way to teach your children about space.

This material is not for everyone - but is priceless for an understanding of the U.S. in space. For the first time you can see the complete TV transmissions - as they were broadcast (some of them never were), and see all of the onboard 16mm film that was shot during the mission.

Add to this the unique ways you can view the material - see the Apollo 11 lunar landing as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin describe the last moments from the post-flight debriefing... hear the Apollo 8 crew as they take the timeless "earthrise" photo. These moments are finally available without the filter of a documentary or dramatization. And they are finally available complete - not just a shot or two from this or that - but entire reels of footage from what you can learn so much.

Highly recommended for those you know with serious space interest!