From the Earth to the Moon: Season 1

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Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 4 Ratings

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From The Earth To The Moon (Mini)

Now Playing: From The Earth To The Moon (Mini)

Season Details & Credits

HBO | Season Premiere Date: April 5, 1998

Starring: Sam Anderson, Conor O'Farrell, Timothy Daly

Summary: This 12-part, Emmy-winning HBO miniseries tells the story of the United States space program, from its beginnings in 1961 to the final moon mission in 1972, encompassing the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. Tom Hanks served as executive producer and introduced each segment; directors included Hanks, Graham Yost, Jonathan Mostow, SallyThis 12-part, Emmy-winning HBO miniseries tells the story of the United States space program, from its beginnings in 1961 to the final moon mission in 1972, encompassing the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. Tom Hanks served as executive producer and introduced each segment; directors included Hanks, Graham Yost, Jonathan Mostow, Sally Field, and Frank Marshall.… Expand

Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series, Action & Adventure

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E12. Le Voyage Dans La Lune
Air Date: May 10, 1998
tbd
S1:E11. The Original Wives' Club
Air Date: May 10, 1998
tbd
S1:E10. Galileo Was Right
Air Date: May 3, 1998

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Scott D. Pierce

Jun 25, 2019

The best thing to hit TV this season. [1 Apr 1998, p.C1]

100

Tom Shales

Jun 25, 2019

Epic in scope, intimate in impact, "From the Earth to the Moon" may rank as one of the best docudrama miniseries of all time. Read full review

100

Marvin Kitman

Jun 25, 2019

"From the Earth to the Moon" is a series of one-hour movies about different aspects of the space program ... And they are masterpieces, at least the four I've seen so far. [5 Apr 1998, p.D39]

Lon Grahnke

Jun 25, 2019

Given the superior production values, sharp direction, convincing acting, exciting visual effects and powerful storytelling displayed so far [through four episodes], I anticipate a miniseries that will deliver its promise of greatness. [3 Apr 1998, p.47]

Robert Bianco

Jun 25, 2019

In this age of TV limits, it's rare to find a program this ambitious. And even rarer to find one that achieves so many of its ambitions. [3 Apr 1998, p.11E]

Mike Duffy

Jun 25, 2019

The miniseries is occasionally overwhelmed by its own lavish size and sweep. ... But there are compelling moments and strong performances to be enjoyed. [3 Apr 1998, p.1D]

James Collins

Jul 2, 2013

It is a diligent, well-crafted work that never spins out of control despite its grandiose conception. And yet, as anyone with an ear for faint praise can tell by now, it is pretty dull. Read full review

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User Reviews

JonClarke

Nov 22, 2015

This brilliant series tackles the complex history of the Apollo program, chronicling the events, its impact, and context. Rather than adopting a uniform and linear narrative over 12 episodes, the series blends a sequential retelling of the major events (e.g. the Mercury and Gemini missions,This brilliant series tackles the complex history of the Apollo program, chronicling the events, its impact, and context. Rather than adopting a uniform and linear narrative over 12 episodes, the series blends a sequential retelling of the major events (e.g. the Mercury and Gemini missions, Apollo 8, Apollo 11) with detailed portrayal of specific events and aspects (e.g Apollo 1 fire, the stories of individual astronauts like Al Shepard, the intricate technical mastery required, and the impact of events on people's lives. Each episode has a different director and often composer, allowing further diversity in style and tone.

The result is an enthralling re-telling of Apollo, capturing the spirit and flavour of the times in considerable and faithful detail. The personalities of the players, large and small, and their contributions come to life in great detail, with strong portrayals by all the actors, and a varied and powerful score. When comparing the astronauts as portrayed- Al Bean, Jack Schmidt, and Buzz Aldrin in particular - with real life interviews, the authenticity of the portrays is striking.

Everyone will have their own favourite episodes. For me, stand-out episodes include 2 ("Apollo 1"), 5 ("Spider", about the making of the LM), 7 ("That's all there is", the story of Al Bean), 10 ("Galileo was right", about the scientific training of the astronauts), and 11 ("The first wives' club"). The story of the pre Apollo mission (1 - "Can we do this?") and episodes 3 ("We have cleared the tower" about Apollo 7, the return to flight and the myriad of people who made it possible) and 4 ("Apollo 8") were also very strong. The only episode I did not enjoy, though this does not make it a weak episode, was the one on Apollo 13, which is a behind the scenes look at the unsavory world of the media coverage.

Whether a person is interested in the historical or human aspects of the events, or simply a strong story well told, I strongly recommend this series. It is a great favourite of the entire family.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

GrantD243

Jul 27, 2019

While I wish it was a more gritty portrayal of the space program, this is the best and most in-depth television series that we may ever get about NASA in the 60s/70s. It's a solid watch.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

juliankennedy23

Jul 31, 2014

From the Earth to the Moon 5 out of 10: From the Earth to the Moon is a strange bird. Not a mini series in the strictest sense. Each episode is self-contained with virtually no characters, except the space program itself, moving from one episode to the next. Each episode therefore is like aFrom the Earth to the Moon 5 out of 10: From the Earth to the Moon is a strange bird. Not a mini series in the strictest sense. Each episode is self-contained with virtually no characters, except the space program itself, moving from one episode to the next. Each episode therefore is like a one-hour self-contained movie all sharing the same sets.

Three are brilliantly done (episode 2 "Apollo 1" episode 5 "Spider" and episode 7 "That's all there is") The rest are either simply OK to outright misses (episodes 8 and 9) and by the time you are ready to spend an hour exclusively with the astronauts wives (episode 11) the whole thing seems a bit of a slog.

Don't get me wrong the acting, sets and special effects are brilliant throughout but some magic is missing. When Apollo 11 lands on the moon there is no magic, no excitement. It is all very low key strangely focused on Buzz Aldrin's feelings about being second. I was also wondering what they were to do next since we land on the moon episode six in a twelve episode series.

The lack of a character or two that can be followed from episode to episode gives one little reason to invest in the slower episodes that follow number 7. There simply is no payoff in sticking with the program.

In the beginning of episode 8 about Apollo 13 Tom Hanks laments that Americans had become bored with the space program. The episode then spends 50 minutes digging up old chestnuts about old media versus new media. Turns out the American viewing public weren't the only ones bored with outer space.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Seasons & Episodes

80

Series Overview
Season 1

80
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: April 5, 1998
- tbd
  S1:E12. Le Voyage Dans La Lune
  Air Date: May 10, 1998
- tbd
  S1:E11. The Original Wives' Club
  Air Date: May 10, 1998
- tbd
  S1:E10. Galileo Was Right
  Air Date: May 3, 1998
- tbd
  S1:E9. For Miles And Miles
  Air Date: May 3, 1998
- tbd
  S1:E8. We Interrupt This Program
  Air Date: April 26, 1998
- tbd
  S1:E7. That's All There Is
  Air Date: April 26, 1998
- tbd
  S1:E6. Mare Tranquilitatis
  Air Date: April 19, 1998
- tbd
  S1:E5. Spider
  Air Date: April 19, 1998
- tbd
  S1:E4. 1968
  Air Date: April 12, 1998
- tbd
  S1:E3. We Have Cleared The Tower
  Air Date: April 12, 1998
- tbd
  S1:E2. Apollo 1
  Air Date: April 5, 1998
- tbd
  S1:E1. Can We Do This?
  Air Date: April 5, 1998