After recently re-watching Apollo 13 and marveling at how accurate the special effects looked, to see the real deal is breathtaking. No models, blue screen or CGI required. I (and half the world) watched it as a kid but looking back I did not realize the enormity of it all. The Saturn V rocket itself was longer then a football field straight up in the air. Over one million people watching the launch live on the ground. Over half the world's population watched the landing on TV. With no narration and just the words of the astronauts and the people at Mission Control to guide us, I was on the edge of my seat watching velocity numbers increase and decrease accompanied by a pulsating music score. Another aspect that comes across in spades is these guys really did have "the right stuff". Calm and cool under extreme pressure. Check out Buzz Aldrin's heart rate on blast off. An amazing film that just shows what the human race can achieve when we apply ourselves.
