Chasing the Moon

Chasing the Moon is an immersive, informative, and vastly compelling television series from PBS which first premiered in 2019. This six-hour documentary series provided audiences with an in-depth and intricately detailed chronicle of America’s industrious mission to conquer the moon during the Cold War era, from its early beginnings in the 60s to the legendary Apollo 11 landing that saw the first humans step foot on alien terrain. This critical time marked a pivotal period in the history of the United States, and the world at large, one filled with a burst of technological innovation, a spirited sense of discovery, and an intense competitive ‘Space Race’ climate. Chasing the Moon was created by the award-winning filmmaker Robert Stone, a notable figure known for his eye for historical narratives, and an unwavering determination that is clearly shown in the richly thorough account of the NASA Moon Mission in this series. Stone does a remarkable job of portraying the space program as a truly historic milestone, showcasing not just the scientific, but the political, social, and cultural significance that surrounded the iconic expedition. This masterful series aims to retell the story of the space program from a refreshingly new point of view, significantly focusing on the ordinary people who made extraordinary contributions to the space mission: the scientists who developed cutting-edge technology, the astronauts who risked their lives for national pride and testing the frontiers of human capacity, and the average citizens who enthusiastically followed the heroics and drama of the story from their living rooms. Chasing the Moon successfully captures the broader political and cultural landscape of the time. The series does not merely portray the technical aspects of the space race, but also places a significant emphasis on the context of the period - how the mission, initially influenced by the competitive pressures of the Cold War, resulted in a surge of optimism, aspiration, and radical changes in the dynamics of the United States and across the globe. Stone creatively uses unseen, archival footage and astonishing visuals to capture the historic event, elevating the storyline to a higher, more vivid level. The series also includes several interviews from some of those involved directly or indirectly in the mission, painting a more human and relatable representation of the momentous event. In other words, the series adopts a distinctly personal and intimate approach towards narrative storytelling, allowing the audience to witness the trials and tribulations, as well as the jubilance that coincided with one of the most adventurous undertakings in human history. The conflict, fierce competition, dedicated teamwork, and the ultimate triumph of the Apollo missions made an indelible impact on humanity's collective self-conception, presenting Earth's denizens as potential explorers of boundless cosmos rather than just terrestrial beings. Stone's Chasing the Moon wonderfully relives this magical period in history, offering a poignant reminder of a time when nothing seemed impossible and when our celestial satellite was no longer a distant and mysterious object, but a touchable and conquerable frontier, just a 'rocket ride' away. One of the most commendable aspects of Chasing the Moon is its approach to capture both the intensity of the period, as well as the mundane moments that collectively added to the making of the historical event. From the nail-biting countdowns and launch sequences, to the daily lives of astronauts and the enthusiastic public response to the moon mission – Stone's storytelling suffuses the mission with an overlying sense of humanity. In conclusion, Chasing the Moon is a riveting, intimate and comprehensive exploration of the first human mission to the moon. It portrays with stunning detail not only the mission itself, but the wide societal and cultural implications of the mission, highlighting the innovative spirit, extraordinary courage, and relentless ambition of humanity. For those interested in revisiting this crucial chapter of human history, or for those discovering it for the first time, Chasing the Moon offers a fantastic journey through the star-spangled past. It truly is a must-watch representation of one of the most significant achievements of the last century.

Chasing the Moon is a series categorized as a . Spanning 1 seasons with a total of 3 episodes, the show debuted on 2019. The series has earned a mostly positive reviews from both critics and viewers. The IMDb score stands at 8.6.