Netflix’s latest documentary, Apollo 13: Survival, offers a gripping retelling of the infamous 1970 NASA mission that left three astronauts stranded in space after a catastrophic explosion. Through rare archival footage and full audio recordings from the mission, viewers are thrust back into one of NASA’s greatest crises.
A Story That Transcends Time
The Apollo 13 mission, led by astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise, was meant to replicate the success of the Moon landing, but disaster struck halfway there. An oxygen tank explosion disabled the spacecraft’s life-support systems, leading to a life-or-death scramble. Mission Control on Earth worked tirelessly to devise a plan to save the astronauts, guiding them in crafting a makeshift air purifier using rudimentary items like cardboard, duct tape, and a sock.
More than five decades later, the documentary captures the tension and emotions of the mission, offering perspectives from those on the ground, including Lovell’s family. In a personal statement, Jim Lovell reflected on the film, saying, “Seeing the historic footage and hearing the perspectives of family and friends on the ground truly stirred my emotions.”
Archival Footage
Unlike the 1995 Apollo 13 movie starring Tom Hanks, this documentary takes a more grounded approach. Directed by Peter Middleton, it avoids traditional on-camera interviews and instead draws from archival material and first-hand audio accounts. Middleton’s style creates a vivid, immersive experience of the 1970 mission, taking viewers through the eerie silence of space and the frantic energy of Mission Control.
One standout moment in the film comes when the crew, with limited oxygen and control over their ship, finds dark humour in their situation. With the spacecraft’s temperature plummeting, Lovell jokes that they no longer need a fridge for their hot dogs.
Waiting for a Miracle
The film also highlights the emotional toll the mission took on the astronauts’ families, particularly Lovell’s wife, Marilyn, who faced the agonising uncertainty of not knowing whether her husband would return alive. “I didn’t know for four days if I was a wife or a widow,” she recalls.
Lovell’s son, Jeff, shared a memory of his father’s resourcefulness, saying, “Dad always says: ‘Never leave home without duct tape!’” A statement that underscores the ingenuity required to survive the ordeal.
A New Era of Space Exploration
With humanity on the brink of a new age of lunar exploration, Apollo 13: Survival reminds us of both the potential dangers and awe-inspiring wonder of space travel. Director Middleton reflects on the enduring relevance of the mission, quoting Lovell: “To contemplate the improbable wonder of our grand oasis in the vastness of space.”
The documentary is out now on netflix, offering a fresh perspective on a mission that continues to inspire space enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
