From the Earth to the Moon [Signature Edition Boxset] [DVD] [1998] [2006]

I'm pretty biased as I'm a bit of a nut when it comes to all things space. If you have any interests at all in the moon landing/Apollo program then this series is certainly worth a watch. Even if you aren't that into it, you may still well marvel at the sheer scope of what NASA was trying to achieve after JFK set his (lets face it, completely impossible at the time) declaration to walk on the moon by the end of the decade.This series is made up of twelve episodes. Each one focuses on a different element of the space race. The first couple cover the beginning of the space race. Most of the ones that follow cover one of the Apollo missions each (Apollos 1, ,7 ,8, 9 & 10, 11, 12 (my favourite episode, this crew were amazing), 13, 14, 15, and 17). The last two episodes are a bit different. Apollo 16 wasn't so different from 15 or 17 so instead, that episode has been given over to see the perspective of the wives of the astronauts. The final episode is a wonderful summary of the program, with quite a bit about Apollo 17, and also a lot of focus on a little known (these days) French film called Le Voyage dans la Lune.There is no one character that maintains central focus throughout the series but you will see a lot of characters come in and out of the picture as the series continues. Obviously there wasn't one man who was an integral part of every mission (well okay, there were obviously lots around mission control, but with these shows mostly being about the crew and missions...) You see Neil Armstrong in a couple of episodes, mostly in the second, about his Gemini 8 mission, and then obviously the Apollo 11 episode. Similarly, Alan Shepherd is the focus of two as he was the first American spacewalker and also commanded Apollo 14. Deke Slayton is a pretty regular character and the most prominent, amusingly, is Elliot Seaburn, a fictional TV news reporter, played beautifully by Lane Smith.Another thing to note is the Apollo 13 episode. I've heard before people being dissatisfied with this episode as it doesn't focus at all on the actual events of the mission. Instead we see the impact of the ground and the reporters. This isn't explained but I assume that it's because the film Apollo 13 (starring Tom Hanks, who is behind the production, writing, and directing of a lot of this series) covers the mission side of it already. Despite the cast being different, watching the two together makes perfect sense.The series is also incredibly factually accurate. Apart from input from Tom Hanks (who is a die hard space fanatic), the series also employed Dave Scott (Gemini 8, Apollo 9, Apollo 15) as a technical consultant. They also got Günter Wendt, who was the pad leader for the Apollo missions (the man in charge of the launch pad, and the last man to see the astronauts as they entered the capsule).The missions were absolutely cutting edge and filled with all sorts of challenges, both predicted and surprises, that challenged the engineers and the crews to their absolute limits. As such, there is no reason to over dramatise anything. 99% of what you see here is historical fact and it's absolutely fascinating.

I already had a DVD box set. Going to HD blu ray copy makes a worthy upgrade. Briefly covers the history from JFKs speech to the middle of the lunar landing missions. Clearly inspired by the Apollo 13 movie and covers that mission from the media coverage point of view. For me the best episodes are the coverage of the development of the Lunar Module and the Apollo 12 mission. However episodes 11 and feel like fillers.

This is an excellent series and it long overdue appearance on Blu-ray is very welcome. I think that the portrayal of Buzz as brash and bitter is unnecessary - the guy is a global hero - and my other bug-bear is episode 8 “We interrupt this program...” is an unmitigated travesty. This episode covers the Apollo 13 accident, or rather - it covers events during this period. Sadly, there is no depiction of either astronauts or spacecraft, instead the episode concentrates on the interaction between two feuding FICTIONAL reporters. As someone else said, skip this episode, it’s garbage, watch the Apollo 13 movie instead. The other episodes are excellent, factual, and the CGI Varies from passable to excellent. The Apollo 1 tragedy is dealt with sympathetically and I learned a lot that I didn’t know about how it occurred. Emmott Seaborne the older fictional reporter crops up throughout and is a pain in the ass. Not that i’m A fan of Walter Concrete, or BBC’s James Berk for that matter. Despite all my negativity, I’d Still recommend it. 7/10 :)

as advertised, arrived on time, item as expected. The program itself, not as good as i had hoped for, the trailer and bits i had seen online made me hope for more. Still a good program, worth watching but not the A+ i was hoping for.

I had this on DVD but the opportunity to get the BluRay version was too much to pass up on. Brilliant show, excellent clarity of picture on my UHD Sony. Worth a butchers …

Great have a high definition version of this all time favourite mini series. Bluray does tend to show up the limitations of the technology of the time however.The thing I love about this is that you get to know the characters and the production values are superb.My favourite is the episode about Apollo 9 who got a real bum deal after the glory of Apollo 8. The astronauts come across as real people but above all professionals who excel at what they do. Great series.

This series by HBO is absolutely brilliant if you're a space race enthusiast or simply have a passing interest. Played by god actors and introduced in each programme by Tom Hanks, this series covers the space race right from JFK's famous "We choose to go to the moon" speech right up to Apollo 17's poignant departure from La Luna. My favourite episode is 'The original first wives club' which really gives you the feeling of being a wife of a space traveller. These ladies were clamoured over to be associated with any number of beauty products and home products by ambitious companies willing to cash in on the ladies' new-found high-life status in 1960s American society. Some, obviously, took to it rather more readily than others.Please buy this. It's inspiring and emotional. A wonderful journey for the imagination.

See the other reviews for others' thoughts on how brilliant this series is. I whole heartedly concur. One small reservation though.My eight year old daughter was spellbound by the stories and the production / effects. It's such a shame that the most entertaining episode concerning Apollo 12 is out of bounds to her due to three short bits of bad language. Yes, Pete Conrad's colourful language is part of the true story but it means that the whole 12 hour set gets a 15 certificate for a few seconds of swearing. It seems a shame that the resulting 15 rating affects what is otherwise totally absorbing family friendly viewing and gives the wrong impression of the minimal level of 'adult content'.