Apollo 13 (1995)

This dramatic retelling of a real-life near tragedy of the titled space mission (the third such flight intended to land men on the Moon) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (aka NASA) and indeed for our Nation is so skillfully executed that even knowing the outcome – a successful rescue of the three thought-to-be doomed astronauts: James Lovell (played by Tom Hanks) Fred Haise (Bill Paxton) and "Jack" Swigert (Kevin Bacon) – doesn’t spoil its suspense or feel-good ending’s impact. The film earned Academy Awards for its Editing and Sound and also earned Oscar nominations for Best Picture Supporting Actor Ed Harris as NASA’s flight director Gene Kranz Supporting Actress Kathleen Quinlan as Lovell’s wife Marilyn Art Direction-Set Decoration Visual Effects James Horner’s Score and Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium. It was directed by Ron Howard and produced by his regular collaborative partner Brian Grazer and was based on Lovell’s autobiographical book written with Jeffrey Kluger titled "Lost Moon". Gary Sinise plays the mission’s original command module pilot Ken Mattingly who assists Kranz Deke Slayton (Chris Ellis) and others on the ground (including those played by Joe Spano and the director’s brother Clint Howard). #12 on AFI’s 100 Most Inspiring Movies list.

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