RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
RT's Blu-ray HQ
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / In the Shadow of the Moon
In the Shadow of the Moon

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

In the Shadow of the Moon (2007)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
94 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:107

Fresh:101

Rotten:6

Average Rating:7.9/10

Consensus: Director David Sington poetically interwove 20th Century's cosmonautic history with its effect on the public's view of their country, their heroes and their future.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] mild language, brief violent images and incidental smoking.

Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins

Genre: Education/General Interest

Theatrical Release:Sep 7, 2007 Limited

Box Office: $941,775

Synopsis: Between 1968 and 1972, nine American spacecraft voyaged to the Moon, and 12 men walked upon its surface. They remain the only human beings to have stood on another world. IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON... Between 1968 and 1972, nine American spacecraft voyaged to the Moon, and 12 men walked upon its surface. They remain the only human beings to have stood on another world. IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON brings together for the first, and possibly the last, time surviving crew members from every single Apollo mission that flew to the Moon, and allows them to tell their story in their own words. This riveting first-hand testimony is interwoven with visually stunning archival material which has been re-mastered from the original NASA film footage – much of it never used before. The result is an intimate epic that vividly communicates the daring, the danger, the pride, and the promise of this extraordinary era in history when the whole world literally looked up at America. The participating astronauts include Jim Lovell (Apollo 8 and 13), Dave Scott (Apollo 9 and 15), John Young (Apollo 10 and 16), Gene Cernan (Apollo 10 and 17), Mike Collins (Apollo 11), Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11), Alan Bean (Apollo 12), Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14), Charlie Duke (Apollo 16) and Harrison Schmitt (Apollo 17). Beautifully shot by Clive North in High Definition video, the astronauts talk directly to camera. They emerge as surprisingly eloquent, witty, emotional and very human. The producers Duncan Copp and Chris Riley spent many weeks in the NASA film library examining cans of film some of which had not been opened for over 30 years. This search uncovered many gems, astonishing space shots which have been re-mastered from the original film rolls to reveal the Apollo program with a visual clarity and impact it has never had before. The mute 16mm rolls shot in Mission Control have been laboriously lip-synced with the 16-track audio recordings of the mission controllers’ voice loop to re-unite the pictures and sound of many historic moments for the first time, lending a striking immediacy to many dramatic scenes. Editor David Fairhead and director David Sington have woven this material together with a beautiful orchestral score from composer Philip Sheppard to create a moving, nostalgic and inspiring cinematic experience. --© THINKFilm [More]

Starring: Jim Lovell, Buzz Aldrin

Starring: Jim Lovell, Buzz Aldrin

Director: David Sington

Director: David Sington
Producer: Duncan Copp
Composer: Philip Sheppard
Studio: ThinkFilm

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
1 - 5 of 13

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Feb 12, 2008

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for In the Shadow of the Moon

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
10/06/07
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
03/07/08
Sydney Morning Herald
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
04/23/09
Mike Miliard
Mike Miliard
Boston Phoenix

Respectful, enthusiastic and occasionally rather touching as the men, now in their seventies, recall how it felt up there. Yet the really important question never gets asked: what was it all for?

Full Review Source: Independent | comment 2 Comments
11/02/07
Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Independent

Uniquely, almost impressively dull.

Full Review Source: Time Out New York | comment Comment
10/06/07
Joshua Rothkopf
Joshua Rothkopf
Time Out New York

might also be called In the Shadow of Neil Armstrong because the absence of his towering presence in the film is a big, gaping hole in the narrative

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
09/06/07
Paul Brenner
Paul Brenner
Filmcritic.com

The documentary would play well in a double feature with something on the four food groups.

Full Review Source: Arizona Daily Star | comment Comment
10/04/07
Phil Villarreal
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star

Ten astronauts try to tell it like it was, but weighted down by the heaviness of the politics that created the lunar exploration program, the best stories will have to wait for later

Full Review Source: Monsters and Critics | comment Comment
09/07/07
Ron Wilkinson
Ron Wilkinson
Monsters and Critics

These are old stories told with minimal artistry, and the film lacks the vision that might separate it from a crowded field.

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
09/07/07
Scott Tobias
Scott Tobias
AV Club

The crowd-pleaser has enough ambition to pitch a one-size-fits-all philosophy based on the Apollo crew's revelation that looking down from space, our problems seem trivial.

Full Review Source: I.E. Weekly | comment Comment
02/22/08
Amy Nicholson
Amy Nicholson
I.E. Weekly

A film full of wonders.

Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
09/06/07
Andrew O'Hehir
Andrew O'Hehir
Salon.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

David Sington’s In the Shadow of the Moon moved me to the extremes of nostalgia, regret and outright admiration as no other movie has moved me this year, even though -- or perhaps because -- it is a mere documentary.

Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
09/05/07
Andrew Sarris
Andrew Sarris
New York Observer
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

At a time when our space program is mostly distinguished by its tragedies, we may need this more than we know. For 90 minutes, at least, the gee-whiz pioneer spirit proves alive and well.

Full Review Source: The Stranger (Seattle, WA) | comment Comment
09/25/07
Andrew Wright
Andrew Wright
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

I sat riveted watching David Sington's "In the Shadow of the Moon," a documentary where 10 astronauts recall a time and era that made America, and the world, proud.

Full Review Source: Sympatico.ca | comment Comment
09/21/07
Angela Baldassarre
Angela Baldassarre
Sympatico.ca

It has taken a British director, David Sington, to do what nobody has done before: sit down with surviving Apollo astronauts and get them to talk us through what was, in retrospect, the happiest public event of an unhappy century.

Full Review Source: New Yorker | comment Comment
09/10/07
Anthony Lane
Anthony Lane
New Yorker

An awe-inspiring film suffused with reverence and wonder . . . with the power to coax tears and goosebumps from even the most jaded viewer.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
09/07/07
Brandon Fibbs
Brandon Fibbs
Christianity Today

Moon is a deeply respectful motion picture, clearly endeavoring to shift the moon landings back to cultural regality, away from all the naysayers and cruel conspiracy theorists.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
09/06/07
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
eFilmCritic.com

Though Shadow could use a bit more confessionals and a bit less history, it still succeeds as a reminder of America's can-do spirit at its best.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
09/21/07
Bruce Westbrook
Bruce Westbrook
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

One small documentary for a filmmaker and one giant leap in inspiration for audiences.

Full Review Source: USA Today | comment Comment
09/07/07
Claudia Puig
Claudia Puig
USA Today

For all its swelling soundtrack and magnificent imagery, it leaves its most compelling story unexplored.

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
09/15/07
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
PopMatters
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
all

Latest News for In the Shadow of the Moon

February 11, 2008: RT on DVD: The Brothers Affleck Lead the Pack With Gone Baby Gone
One of the best films of last year comes to DVD this week (Gone Baby Gone, written and directed by Ben Affleck, starring brother Casey Affleck), but there are tons more to pick... More...

November 02, 2007: Talking In The Shadow of the Moon With Director David Sington
The helmer of the Certified Fresh space documentary talks Apollo Missions with RT. More...

October 28, 2007: 51st London Film Festival - RT's Highlights
It's that time of year when the film world's biggest and brightest descend on London and show some Oscar hopefuls nice and early. RT has been spending time eyeing up the films... More...

September 10, 2007: Box Office Guru Wrapup: 3:10 to Yuma Speeds to #1 Spot
After struggling at the box office over the last few years, Russell Crowe scored his first number one film in more than seven years with the critically-acclaimed Western 3:10 to... More...

See All

More DVDs

Close
Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
66% 66% Public Enemies
83% 83% Harry Potter and the H…
44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…
75% 75% Julie & Julia
32% 32% Terminator Salvation

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
90% 90% District 9
86% 86% 500 Days of Summer
63% 63% Extract
06% 06% All About Steve
78% 78% It Might Get Loud

More New Releases…

See All

RT On Current TV

The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

Learn how you can be part of the show

More...

What’s Hot On RT

Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes

New clips from the detective reboot!

Iron Man 2

Iron Man 2

Watch the brand new trailer now!

Awards Tour

Awards Tour

Keep up with latest nominations and awards!

RT on DVD & Blu-Ray

RT on DVD & Blu-Ray

District 9 & 500 Days of Summer

Other News

Close
  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Danny Trejo Talks Machete, Possible Sequels Source: Collider.com
11
  • It's Official: Jackass 3-D Coming in 2010 Source: Collider.com
16
  • Bryan Singer Returning to X-Men for First Class Source: Superhero Hype
102
  • Mark Strong Talks Kick-Ass, John Carter, and Robin Hood Source: Collider.com
1
  • How Avatar Happened: The Path to Innovation Source: CinemaBlend.com
19
  • Rob Marshall Says Pirates 4 Is Still a Maybe Source: ComingSoon.net
32
  • ET Teases Iron Man 2 Teaser Source: Collider.com
28
  • Tobey Maguire Refutes Hobbit Rumors Source: Hollywood Reporter
9
  • Prince of Persia Featurette Posted Source: Yahoo! Movies
4
  • Trailer Bulletin: Robin Hood Source: ComingSoon.net
61
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Critics Consensus: Avatar Is Certified Fresh
309
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Avatar Soars to #1 Spot
220
  • Brittany Murphy: 1977-2009
101
  • Total Recall: James Cameron Movies
89
  • Awards Tour 2009: SAG Nominations Are In!
43
  • Weekly Ketchup: Bryan Singer Teaches X-Men: First Class
43
  • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
41
  • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: District 9 and (500) Days of Summer
19
  • Friday Harvest: Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes, and more!
14
  • What We're Watching on Blu-ray from Disney!
6
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
41
  • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
21
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
2
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
12
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
23
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
24
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
9
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • In the Shadow of the Moon at Rotten Tomatoes
  • In the Shadow of the Moon at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
MSN's Year in Review
MSN's Year in Review External Link

Take a look at MSN's choices for the Top 10 films of 2009.

Moviefone's Year End Poll
Moviefone's Year End Poll External Link

What were your favorites? Least favorites? The funniest and scariest? Moviefone wants to know!

Tarantino's Characters
Tarantino's Characters External Link

Hollywood.com explores why QT's characters resonate so well with audiences.

Top 10 Movies of 2009
Top 10 Movies of 2009 External Link

TIME chimes in with their own list of the best films released this year.

Top 20 of the Decade
Top 20 of the Decade External Link

Click through to see which movies BuzzSugar placed in their Best-of-Decade list!

Promos
Follow RT on Twitter
Follow RT on Twitter External Link

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.