If you’re into space movies, documentaries, or shows, you already know they deserve their own corner of the entertainment world. Especially when they revolve around iconic moments like the Apollo Space Program. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen these stories, there’s always a new angle or perspective, thanks to advances in science, technology, and space exploration. Netflix’s Apollo 13: Survival, directed by Peter Middleton, takes us on one of those thrilling journeys, focusing on the astronauts who fought tooth and nail to make it back to Earth.
So, if you’re debating whether to stream or skip this doc, let’s dive into what makes Apollo 13: Survival a must-watch.
A Guaranteed Nail-Biter!
First things first, the Apollo 13 mission from 1970 was the 7th crewed mission in NASA’s Apollo Space Program, and if you’re a space geek, you’re going to want to see this. Netflix did an awesome job mixing actual mission recordings with archival interviews, making this documentary both informative and edge-of-your-seat gripping.
The show kicks off with a nostalgic, hopeful clip of the astronauts onboard, floating around with smiles and tape recorders. But things quickly take a turn when Netflix fills in the blanks with extra context, giving us a deeper look into the behind-the-scenes chaos. If you’ve ever heard the famous line “Houston, we’ve had a problem,” you know things are about to get real.
A Guaranteed Nail-Biter!
Credit: Netflix
The documentary walks us through the mission’s scary moments, like the electrical failure that sparked panic. It rewinds to four months before the mission, explaining how this flight was riskier than Apollo 11 and 12, especially since they aimed to land on a rougher, more mountainous part of the moon. Through a mix of interviews, including ones from mission commander James A. Lovell Jr., we get a play-by-play of how things unfolded.
What Makes This Documentary Stand Out?
Even though this story has been told before—like in the 1995 film Apollo 13 with Tom Hanks and Kevin Bacon—Netflix’s take on it feels fresh. The documentary smartly uses a mix of archival footage, interviews, and dramatized storytelling to keep things interesting. It’s not just a rehash of old facts; it adds something new, giving both longtime space fans and newbies something to sink their teeth into.
Conclusion
Overall, Apollo 13: Survival is a gripping, well-made documentary that keeps you hooked, even when you know how it all ends. It’s informative, thrilling, and perfectly paced. Whether you’re a space nerd or just looking for a good documentary to binge, this one’s definitely worth adding to your watchlist.