From the Earth to the Moon

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Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Apr 5, 1998
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
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Critic Reviews

  1. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Chris Kaltenbach
    Jun 25, 2019
    60
    Unfortunately, "From the Earth to the Moon" seems content with simply telling us that getting to the moon was an amazing feat. It would have worked better if we had been shown why. [4 Apr 1998, p.1D]
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  2. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Caryn James
    Jun 25, 2019
    50
    Oddly, its realism works better than its imagination. The series suffers greatly from the flaws of so many pet projects: a tunnel vision that assumes, rather than asserts, the fascination of its subject. If you're a space junkie -- automatically drawn to the scientific measurements, the code of personal courage, the final seconds of a countdown -- you may be enthralled. But if all that sounds too familiar, the series has a problem: it fails to generate the sense of wonder its creators take for granted.
  3. Dallas Morning News
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jun 25, 2019
    40
    From the Earth to the Moon, your 12-hour, Tom Hanks-piloted paean to NASA, goes boldly where we've gone again and again. And again. It's kinda like Mom and Dad surveying the old two-story after the last of their five kids has flown the nest. "Honey, do we really need all this space?" [5 Apr 1998, p.1C]
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  5. Time
    Reviewed by: James Collins
    Jul 2, 2013
    40
    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.

Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best TV Season of 1998
5
#5 Most Discussed TV Season of 1998
7
#7 Most Shared TV Season of 1998

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. GrantD243
    Jul 27, 2019
    8
    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 getWhile 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.… Full Review »
  2. JonClarke
    Nov 22, 2015
    9
    This brilliant series tackles the complex history of the Apollo program, chronicling the events, its impact, and context. Rather thanThis 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.    … Full Review »
  3. juliankennedy23
    Jul 31, 2014
    5
    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 episodeFrom 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.    … Full Review »
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