Classic Trailer Rewatch: Ron Howard’s True Story Thriller ‘Apollo 13’

Classic Trailer Rewatch: Ron Howard’s True Story Thriller ‘Apollo 13’

by Alex Billington
April 29, 2024
Source: YouTube

“Houston, we have a problem.” This is easily one of my all-time favorite space movies. Ron Howard’s docu-drama thriller Apollo 13 first opened in theaters in the summer of 1995, celebrating its 29th anniversary this year. The old 35mm trailer scanner YouTube recently posted a crisp 2160p scan of the original Apollo 13 trailer. Though this actually plays more like a teaser, setting up the story and stakes and characters without showing too much (the full trailer is also available right below it). In this movie based on a true story, NASA must devise a strategy to return Apollo 13 (which launched in April 1970) to Earth safely after the spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage putting the lives of the three astronauts on board in jeopardy. Starring Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell, Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert, Bill Paxton Fred Haise, and Ed Harris on the ground as Flight Director Gene Kranz. One of the most nerve-wracking survival movies ever, perfectly shot by Howard and his DP Dean Cundey to make it all feel so real, as if the actors were really up there in this tiny spacecraft. The score by James Horner is also an all-timer. What a stupendous movie – a real classic.

Here are the two classic trailers for Ron Howard’s space thriller movie Apollo 13, found on YouTube:

And here is a fun “modern trailer” re-edit of Ron Howard’s Apollo 13, also found on YouTube:

Apollo 13 is a gripping American space docu-drama that dramatizes the aborted 1970 lunar mission of the same name. Featuring stellar performances by Tom Hanks as Commander Jim Lovell, Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert, and Bill Paxton as Fred Haise, the film is a detailed & tense portrayal of the spacecraft’s ill-fated third mission to the Moon. After an on-board explosion causes most of their oxygen to leak, the crew, along with the ground control team led by Gene Kranz (Ed Harris), must work feverishly against the odds to bring the spacecraft back to Earth safely. The film explores themes of teamwork, crisis management, and the resilience of the human spirit. Apollo 13 is directed by American actor / filmmaker Ron Howard, directing his 11th feature film at the time, right after making The Paper (1994) and before Ransom (1996). The screenplay is written by William Broyles Jr. & Al Reinert; adapted from the book titled “Lost Moon” by Jim Lovell & Jeffrey Kluger. Howard’s Apollo 13 originally opened in theaters on June 30th, 1995 in the summer. It went on to win two Oscars – for Best Sound Mixing and Best Editing. Is it one of your favorites?

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