Search - Apollo 1 on DVD

Excellent history of the pivotal tragedy of Apollo 1

J. D. Buffa | 05/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As usual, Spacecraft Films has done an outstanding job producing this thorough (and sometimes poignant) look back at Apollo 1 and her crew. The single DVD includes about 4.5 hours of material:

- The Apollo 1 crew. 3 short tributes to Grissom, White and Chaffee.

- The First Apollo. Footage from: North American Aviation (includes audio from crew's first press conference); Marshall Space Flight Center (continued audio from press conference); Altitude Chamber testing (includes crew suit-up video w/producer's audio commentary and simulation audio); Simulator testing (crew debriefing audio); Press Day (at Pad 34, 2 days before the fire w/producer's audio commentary); Emergency Egress walk-through (audio comments by Von Braun and Grissom).

- The Accident. Audio (with subtitles) of the final 29 minutes, up to and including the fire. The disc includes both uncut and edited versions. No video exists of the accident. Additional audio commentary by the producer follows.

- Review Board. Footage from: Post-Fire Inspection (Press pool footage w/producer's audio commentary); Command Module Removal (audio commentary by Stephen Clemmons, North American Pad Crew Member); Service Module Removal (audio by Joseph Shea, Apollo Spacecraft Program Manager); Command Module Disassembly (audio from Apollo Review Board testimony by Jim Gleaves, and from Borman's team's inspection); Block I Configuration (continued audio from Borman's team); Investigation (continued audio from Borman's team).

- Memorial. Footage from: Andrews Air Force Base (Grissom and Chaffee arrive prior to burial at Arlington, audio from Voice Of America feed); Gus Grissom funeral at Arlington (partial audio); Roger Chaffee funeral at Arlington (partial audio); Edward White funeral at West Point (partial audio).

- Bonus Material. Grissom gets his Astronaut Wings (after his Mercury flight, newsreel footage w/partial audio); White speaks at Brooks AFB following his Gemini 4 mission.

- Photographs. Viewable with or without captions. Includes over 350 photos on the mission and over 100 photos from the Review Board investigation.

Christopher Kraft (the original NASA Flight Director and architect of Mission Control) says that if it hadn't been for the fire and the problems fixed because of it, America never would have made it to the moon. That is the under-appreciated legacy of Apollo 1, whose story is so well captured in this fine DVD."

A tribute to the crew of Apollo 1

Odyssey | Texas | 06/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This single disc DVD provides a comprehensive chronology on the subject of the Apollo 1 (unflown) mission that ended in a horrific fatal fire inside the spacecraft with the crew trapped inside on the evening of January 27, 1967. Much of it I had not previously seen (i.e., crew training, altitude chamber tests, Ed White's speech at Brooks AFB just after his Gemini 4 mission, etc). For the first time, the audio transmissions of the last minutes of the countdown rehersal that ended with the deaths of Grissom, White, and Chaffee are available to be heard by the general public, (though the viewer is given a choice of bypassing the crew's frantic calls for help). This was completely unexpected. Though difficult to listen to, it does illustrate better than anything just how fast the fire - fed by pure oxygen at about 17psi and flammable materials - raced through the cockpit and why the crew never had a chance to remove the complicated hatch and exit to safety. Furthermore, the DVD provides a look at the careers of each of the valiant crew members (i.e., Grissom receiving his astronaut wings, etc). This DVD by Spacecraft Films is not only informative but also serves as a tribute to Grissom, White, and Chaffee. It is a "must have" for anyone who is interested in the history of manned spaceflight."

Apollo 1 DVD A Remarkable Achievement

Joel W. Powell | Calgary, AB Canada | 06/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When you view this DVD about the fire that killed three Apollo astronauts in January 1967, you are transported back to 1967 with the remarkable film footage that documents the Apollo 1 mission and the fire investigation. The old cars and the primitive telephone equipment quickly demonstrate that you're not in the 21st century anymore, Toto. The most poignant portion of the DVD is the complete audio recording of the test at pad 34 during the final half-hour before the fire. The cries of the trapped astronauts are very graphic, and there is an edited version of the tape that omits the final seconds of the test. A comprehensive file of still pictures of the preparations for Apollo 1 and the aftermath are also included (although this reviewer had a very difficult time opening
the photos for viewing). The DVD is an incredible account of the Apollo 1 accident, and serves as a very fitting memorial to the crew of Apollo 1.
Very highly recommended."

Dignity and respect.

Storfiskaren | Sweden | 05/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is really good footage and more than anyone could dream of, concerning the history of Apollo 1. It's a great achievement of Spacecraft Films to put this material together without touching the realms of pompous trash.

If you want to know anything (or everything) about Apollo 1 in footage or in sound recording, this is the one DVD you should get. I recommend this product wholeheartedly.

That's all I would like to say.
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