Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D (2005)

Director:

Mark Cowen

Writers (WGA):

Tom Hanks (written by) and
Mark Cowen (written by) ...

Release Date:

23 September 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Animation | Short

Tagline:

Only 12 Have Walked On The moon. This Fall, You're Next!

Plot Keywords:

Lunar Lander | 3D In Title | 3 Dimensional | Astronaut | Space

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Tom Hanks	...	Narrator (voice)
John Corbett	...	Jack Schmitt (voice)
Andrew Husmann	...	Astronaut Scott
Bryan Cranston	...	Buzz Aldrin (voice)
Aaron White	...	Astronaut Irwin
Matt Damon	...	Al Shepard (voice)
Gary Hershberger	...	Astronaut Grace
Morgan Freeman	...	Neil Armstrong (voice)
Scott Wilder	...	Astronaut Wallace
Brandy Blackledge	...	Future Astronaut
Scott Glenn	...	Charles Duke (voice)
Rick Gomez	...	Alpha Station Commander (voice)
Colin Hanks	...	Conspiracy Neil Armstrong
Bo Stevenson	...	Conspiracy Grip
Frank John Hughes	...	Future Houston Capcom (voice)

Also Known As:

Magnificent Desolation (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:40 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.44 : 1

Sound Mix:

Sonics-DDP

Certification:

USA:Unrated | Australia:G | Malaysia:U

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

IMAX

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the surface emergency sequence, when one astronaut's portable life support system fails, he activates his OPS (Oxygen Purge System), i.e., emergency oxygen supply. But he fails to open the purge valve that lets the oxygen flow through and out of his suit. The valve is unlocked by pulling a pin attached to the red ball ("red apple") hanging from the lower right front of the suit.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#35.2)" (2006)

Otherworldly

I saw this movie at our local IMAX theater at the Pink Palace Museum, Memphis, which has a screen that is about 30 feet high. The scenes of the Moon were so detailed that it was a sensory overload for me. So, I had to restrict my vision (and attention) to just a small section of the screen to avoid dizziness and vertigo. It must take a strong constitution to be an astronaut, due to an inevitable sensory overload. I get dizzy just climbing up a ladder. I know I would get a severe case of vertigo if I actually witnessed the Earth rising above the wasteland of the Moon. But, this film is excellent for young adventurers, who aspire to travel to the Moon. I am sure that vacations to the Moon will be as numerous in coming centuries as cruises to the Caribbean are today. The numerous scientific skills associated with space travel are endlessly fascinating to developing young minds. Tom Hanks, however, does a good job of warning us of the dangers of space flight and the heroism of American astronauts, who, quite literally, gave their lives to the pursuit of the dangerous vocation of space travel and exploration.