Apollo 13

• Cat.no: PLFEC 34081
• Cert: PG
• Running time: 134 minutes
• Sides: 3 (CLV)
• Year: 1995
• Pressing: 1996
• Chapters: 57 (16/24/17)
• Sound: Dolby Surround
• Widescreen: 2.35:1 (Super-35)
• Price: £34.99

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Director:

Ron Howard

(Backdraft, Far And Away, Cocoon)

Producer:

Screenplay:

William Broyles, Jr. (Based on the book “Lost Moon” by Jim Lovell)

Music:

Cast:

Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks (Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Sleepless In Seattle)
Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon (A Few Good Men, JFK, Tremors)
Fred Haise: Bill Paxton (Twister, Aliens, Predator 2)
Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump, Of Mice and Men (1992))
Gene Kranz: Ed Harris (The Rock, The Abyss, The Firm)
Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan (The Doors)
Mary Haise: Tracy Reiner (A League of Their Own)
Whiz Kid: Austin O’Brien (Last Action Hero, Lawnmower Man)
Congressman: Roger Corman

Basedon a true story, less than a year after the first time man walked onthe moon, Apollo 13 was considered as simply another routine mission untilLovell spoke the famous words, “Houston, we have a problem”.

Lovell, Haise, and Mattingly are the three astronauts chosen to go up inthe ship until April 9th 1970, 2 days before the launch, when Mattingly getsthe measles and has to pull out, much to the annoyance of the other two.As a member of the backup team, Swigert takes his place.

On the 13th day, disaster strikes and oxygen begins pouring out of thetanks, and desperate measures are taken in an at tempt to solve things.Top-notch acting comes from all the big names, although Kathleen Quinlandoesn’t seem to do much apart from look forlorn as she waits for the returnof her husband.

The picture quality is very crisp and clear, coping admirably with thefull range of colours on display, and allowing Ron Howard’s vision to fillthe screen without a hitch, particularly the special FX which are nothingshort of superb.

The surround sound excels in every department from James Horner’s score,through to general ambience, right down to the rocket launch powerful enoughto knock you off your seat.

Songs from the 60’s and 70’s form the background music back home, such asThe Rascals’ “Groovin”, Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” and Norman Greenbaum’s”Spirit In The Sky”.

Review copyright © Dominic Robinson, 1996.