“Apollo 13” (1995) is a historical drama film directed by Ron Howard, based on the true story of the ill-fated Apollo 13 lunar mission. The film is adapted from the book “Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13” by astronaut Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger.
The film stars Tom Hanks as Commander Jim Lovell, Kevin Bacon as Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert, and Bill Paxton as Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise. It chronicles the harrowing journey of the Apollo 13 crew as they face a life-threatening crisis in space.
Set in 1970, the Apollo 13 mission initially aims to land on the Moon, but two days into the mission, an oxygen tank explodes, crippling the spacecraft. With their lives in grave danger and their mission aborted, the three astronauts must work together with NASA’s ground control team in Houston to find a way to bring the damaged spacecraft back to Earth safely.
The film also stars Ed Harris as Flight Director Gene Kranz and Gary Sinise as Ken Mattingly, an astronaut who was originally part of the mission but was replaced last-minute due to health concerns. The efforts of the astronauts and the NASA team on the ground to solve the myriad problems caused by the explosion, including power shortages, rising carbon dioxide levels, and limited oxygen, are depicted with intense realism and suspense.
“Apollo 13” is acclaimed for its accurate portrayal of the events, strong performances, and meticulous attention to detail in recreating the 1970s space mission environment. It effectively captures the tension, teamwork, and ingenuity required to overcome the life-threatening challenges faced by the Apollo 13 crew. The film received several Academy Award nominations and won for Best Film Editing and Best Sound.