Guide Note

The 1995 dramatic film Apollo 13 is a portrayal of the true story of the ill-fated lunar mission that took place in 1970.

Fast Facts

1. Release date: June 30, 1995
2. Directed by Ron Howard
3. Starring: Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris and Kathleen Quinlan
4. Based on Mission-Apollo13

Shortly after the July 20, 1969 moon landing by Neil Armstrong, fellow astronaut Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks) learns that his crew, originally scheduled for the Apollo 14 mission, would be bumped up to Apollo 13. His crew, including Fred Haise (Bill Paxton) and Ken Mattingly (Gary Sinise) begin training for what the public considers a routine mission to the moon. Plans change days before the scheduled liftoff as Mattingly is pulled from the mission out of fear he may develop the Measles. The young Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon) is assigned to the crew to replace Mattingly. The liftoff goes well, sending the men off for a five day journey through space. Three days into the flight, the mission becomes far from routine as an explosion occurs after Swigert stirs the ship's cryogenic oxygen tanks. Their hopes to land on the moon have been defeated and it is now up to Mission Control to assist the crew in making it back to Earth safely.