In tribute to one of my favorite movies, Apollo 13, I thought I would highlight some of the things that make the 1996 film one of my all-time favorites. Apollo 13 was nominated for nine Academy Awards, and won two for Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. One of the nominations was for Best Original Score stemming from the brilliant film composer James Horner’s work. Surely, many of you heard his masterful work in Braveheart, Enemy at the Gates, A Beautiful Mind, The Perfect Storm, Titanic, and Avatar.

Of course, Apollo 13 has the elite acting talents of Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Ed Harris, Gary Sinise, and Bill Paxton. On top of that you can add in the skillful Ron Howard crafting the final product.  Besides the most famous line of dialogue, “Houston, we have a problem,” Apollo 13 is filled with memorable quotes to inspire goosebumps in viewers.

One of my favorite parts is when Jim Lovell’s family goes to visit Jim’s mother and give her the news of her son stranded in outer space. The eldest daughter Susan’s face is contorted with the horror of what could happen to her father. Jim’s mother Blanche offers some words of comfort.

Blanche: Are you scared?

Susan: (nods)

Blanche: Don’t you worry. If they could get a washing machine to fly, my Jimmy could land it.

Ed Harris plays arguably his best role ever as the Flight Director of Apollo 13 Gene Krantz. His words are extremely important as he leads the team of NASA scientists trying to bring the three astronauts back to Earth. During a meeting, the scientists give Gene some dire news. The ship is losing power and the team has to figure out how to use every ounce of power to get the stranded men home.

Gene: Now, in the meantime we’re going to have a frozen Command Module up there. In a couple of days we are going to have to power it up with nothing but the re-entry batteries.

Scientist: Never been tried before. We’ve never even simulated it before Gene.

Gene: Well, we are going to have to figure it out. I want people in our simulators working re-entry scenarios. I want you guys to find every engineer who designed every switch, every circuit, every transistor, and every light bulb that’s up there. Then I want you to talk to the guy on the assembly line who actually built the thing. Find out how to squeeze every amp out both of these god damn machines. I want this mark all the way back to Earth with time to spare. We’ve never lost an American in space. We’re sure as hell not going to lose one on my watch. Failure is not an option!

This next quote is one of my personal favorites from any movie because of how powerful it is. Gene is getting frustrated while trying to get his team of experts to work out the re-entry plan for the astronauts as they approach Earth. Without the power up procedures, the astronauts will be scorched by the Earth’s atmosphere. I would not mess with Gene….

Gene: I want whatever you guys got on these power up procedures.

Deke: Gene, they’re already on –

Gene: Now I don’t want the whole damn Bible, just give me a couple of chapters. We’ve got to get something up to these guys.

Deke: They’re working on it now.

Scientist: I’ll call over to the simulator and get an estimate…

Gene: GOD DAMMIT!! I don’t want another estimate, I want the procedures…NOW!

The last quote I want to highlight also comes from Gene. With the spaceship approaching Earth, the Director of NASA is discussing the possible problems with the NASA media consultant. Gene’s retort is truly inspiring.

NASA Director: This could be the worst disaster NASA’s ever faced.

Gene: With all due respect sir, I believe this is gonna be our finest hour.

These quotes from Apollo 13 briefly touch on the brilliance that is inscribed within the pages of the script. The screenplay not only has a steady dose of perfected dialogue, but the way the story plays out chokes me up every time. As the spaceship spends more than the usual three minutes to cross through the atmosphere, the camera leaves the cockpit and spends time showing the emotions of the supporting cast. The scenes switch from the house of Jim Lovell and his emotional family, to the news reporters covering the story, to the Coast Guard waiting for the pod to splash into the ocean, and most of all, the weary and very tired NASA personnel at mission control.

The strain of apprehensive emotion is prevalent on all the people who have worked so hard to get the astronauts home safely. Sadness and blind hope is painted on the faces of the caring families hoping to see their fathers or husbands return home safely. The music rumbles with despair as the it takes the pod more than four minutes to reveal itself from the blue sky. Then, a chorus of cheers from all the parties involved ring out paired with the triumphant score by Horner as the ship returns. The jubilation from everyone accompanied by the victorious music chokes me up every time.

Well, enough praise for Apollo 13. If you love this movie as much as I do, take some time this holiday season to go back and watch Apollo 13 again. If you have never seen Apollo 13, put it on your must-see list.

What Do You Think? Discuss.