Apollo 13
Movie, 1995, The Space Race, Set in 1970
Apollo 13 is #2 of 18 in release order and #3 of 18 in chronological order in the Space Movies.
The story
The true story of technical troubles that scuttle the Apollo 13 lunar mission in 1970, risking the lives of astronaut Jim Lovell and his crew, with the failed journey turning into a thrilling saga of heroism. Drifting more than 200,000 miles from Earth, the astronauts work furiously with the ground crew to avert tragedy.
Apollo 13 recap
In 1970, Jim Lovell is moved up to command Apollo 13 with Fred Haise and Ken Mattingly. Days before launch, Mattingly is exposed to measles and replaced by Jack Swigert. The launch goes well, and the public barely pays attention. Two days out, a routine stir of an oxygen tank causes an explosion that cripples the Service Module: they are venting oxygen and losing power. Lovell reports, "Houston, we have a problem." The landing is scrapped, and the crew move into the lunar module, Aquarius, using it as a lifeboat as they swing around the Moon. In Houston, flight director Gene Kranz declares that failure is not an option. Engineers build a way to fit square carbon dioxide filters into round sockets, and Mattingly works out in a simulator how to power the frozen command module back up.
Apollo 13 ending explained
The crew make a manual course correction by eye, keeping Earth in the window, and power up the command module with Mattingly's procedure. They release the lunar module and the damaged service module, seeing the blown-out side for the first time. Re-entry brings a blackout that lasts longer than expected, until Lovell's voice comes through and the capsule lands safely in the Pacific. Lovell narrates what happened to the crew afterward.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Apollo 13
Apollo 13 is streaming on fuboTV, Philo, and MGM Plus in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.7/10, Rotten Tomatoes 92%
Where it fits
- Release order: after 2001: A Space Odyssey, before Contact.
- Chronological order: after First Man, before Contact.
Cast
- Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell
- Bill Paxton as Fred Haise
- Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert
- Gary Sinise as Ken Mattingly
- Ed Harris as Gene Kranz
- Kathleen Quinlan as Marilyn Lovell
- Mary Kate Schellhardt as Barbara Lovell
- Emily Ann Lloyd as Susan Lovell
- Miko Hughes as Jeffrey Lovell
- Max Elliott Slade as Jay Lovell
- Jean Speegle Howard as Blanch Lovell
- Tracy Reiner as Mary Haise
Directed by Ron Howard.