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Apollo 11

2019 | 93 min | S | documentary, drama

Apollo 11 is an impressive documentary film that follows the journey of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins to the moon and back. The film is entirely based on archival material, which documentary filmmaker Todd Douglas Miller has edited into a cohesive whole. Although the outcome of the journey is known, the film presents the historic mission with its surprises and keeps the audience engaged throughout.

The film consists solely of archival material, including 70 mm film footage that has not been previously released to the public. It does not have a narrator, interviews, or reenactments. The only exceptions are the animated sequences used to clarify the spacecraft’s route to the moon and back for the viewers.

Director: Todd Douglas Miller
Cast: Neil Armstrong, Mike Collins, Buzz Aldrin

Discussion Topics:

How does the movie depict the preparations for the Apollo 11 mission, such as the launch, the flight, the landing, the return, and the reception?
What does space, the Moon, and its landscapes look like in the movie?
What broader meanings are created in the film regarding the moon landing and the entire Apollo 11 journey?
Based on the film, what are Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins like? What qualities should an astronaut possess?
Does the movie reflect the political atmosphere of 1969? What else was happening in the world at that time?
The film is a documentary by genre; what other documentaries have you seen? How do they differ from Apollo 11?
There are many reality TV shows on television. How do reality TV and documentary films differ from each other? What about YouTube videos that capture people’s lives and documentary films?

Activities:

Search online for information about what was happening in the world in the 1960s and in 1969. What kind of historical period did the historic moon landing take place in?
Examine the backgrounds and consequences of the Apollo 11 mission more closely. In groups, choose a topic related to the mission, such as space technology, space exploration, space politics, or space culture, and present it to the class. How does it relate to the themes of the film?
Delve into the physics of Apollo 11’s launch, orbit, and landings in your physics class. How were these calculated?
What did Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins do after the Apollo 11 mission?
In documentary films, various techniques are used, such as archival footage, interviews, dramatization, and voice-over narration as part of cinematic storytelling. Brainstorm and plan your own short documentary film, lasting a few minutes. Plan how it will be executed and filmed in groups. Assistance for making documentary films can be found by searching for “make your own documentary.” If possible, watch another Apollo-related movie, such as Apollo 13. Compare the storytelling, plot, and execution of the films.

Summary:

Apollo 11 is a stunning documentary film about one of the greatest achievements in human history. The film is most suitable for mature elementary school students and students in upper secondary education. The film is an intriguing viewing experience on its own, but it can also complement courses in history, physics, and social studies. The film also encourages deeper reflection on humanity and humanity’s place in the universe, as well as space and scientific achievements throughout history.

Author of the teaching material: Mette Lagerstam / IhmeFilmi