Apollo 13: Special Edition (2 Discs) (5.1/DTS)

This is the true story of the fated Apollo 13 Mission where Houston control centre has to bring back to Earth the crippled spacecraft whilst the world watches on helplessly. A fire in the space module some 200,000 miles from Earth and unbelievable tension is mounting. The actual extent of the fire damage is unknown. Both the crew and Nasa ground control work fiendishly together to bring a solution to the depleted oxygen levels, which is inadequate to support all three crewmembers during the long trek back. With one complication after another arising the tension builds dramatically and affects Astronauts, their families, engineers and scientists back at ground control. The amazing cast of Tom Hanks (Jim Lovell), Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon), and Fred Haise (Bill Paxton), Ed Clarke (Gene Cranz) Gary Sinise based at Nasa ground control. What everyone accepted as a "routine flight" with Apollo 13 turned out to be, nothing further from the truth . . . . . .

Directed by Ron Howard and winner of two Academy Awards and depicted in this 2 disc set. This true story goes a long way in outlining how modern day cinematography can build and uphold riveting tension from start to finish.

This is the definitive two disc edition of Ron Howards classy recreation of what was supposed to be a routine space flight. Tom Hanks is outstanding as Jim Lovell and Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton are also superb.
Credit should also go to Ed Harris for playing the head of ground control Gene Cranz. But the film is just breath taking capturing the period to perfection, Even now almost thirteen years after the film release the special effects still amaze.But it's the tension that mounts after the now icon words "Houston we have a problem" that truly gripps. As the crew and ground control struggle to save the crippled ship. There is loads of technical terms in the film (Gimble Lock) but some how these terms make perfect sense and the viewer is fully aware of what is happening.
Everybody knows the outcome of this mission, but for a movie to sustain this much palm sweating suspense is a true miracle of modern cinema.
This is a outstanding film that has to be owned,and is a perfect compain to the slightly better The Right Stuff.
Oustanding value, Outstanding movie!
On a final note, if you want to read a difinitive book on the early days of space flight, try and hunt down the autobiography by Gene Craz Falure Is Not A Option. As this is a truly outstanding read and there is a chapter devoted to Apollo 13, with accounts from ground control of trying to avoid a disaster.

This is the definitive two disc edition of Ron Howards classy recreation of what was supposed to be a routine space flight. Tom Hanks is outstanding as Jim Lovell and Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton are also superb.
Credit should also go to Ed Harris for playing the head of ground control Gene Cranz. But the film is just breath taking capturing the period to perfection, Even now almost thirteen years after the film release the special effects still amaze.But it's the tension that mounts after the now icon words "Houston we have a problem" that truly gripps. As the crew and ground control struggle to save the crippled ship. There is loads of technical terms in the film (Gimble Lock) but some how these terms make perfect sense and the viewer is fully aware of what is happening.
Everybody knows the outcome of this mission, but for a movie to sustain this much palm sweating suspense is a true miracle of modern cinema.
This is a outstanding film that has to be owned,and is a perfect compain to the slightly better The Right Stuff.
Oustanding value, Outstanding movie!
On a final note, if you want to read a difinitive book on the early days of space flight, try and hunt down the autobiography by Gene Craz Falure Is Not A Option. As this is a truly outstanding read and there is a chapter devoted to Apollo 13, with accounts from ground control of trying to avoid a disaster.

This movie is absolutley fantastic, this film is proof that Tom Hanks is an amazing actor. The story is really strong and everyone of the actors makes the story really come alive. This is also the first movie to make use of NASA's "vomit comet" to film the movies zero-gravety scenes. A must have for any Tom Hanks fan.

This is a great movie that will have you sitting at the edge of your seats!! To think of what these guys went through, makes you sick in the stomach. I get scared of going on a rollercoaster, let alone being broken down in space!!
The extras are fantastic as this movie deserves with great packaging. Get this Ron Howard masterpiece!!