The Right Stuff
1983
***½
Director: Philip Kaufman
Cast: Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid, Fred Ward, Barbara Hershey, Veronica Cartwright, Pamela Reed, Kim Stanley, Lance Henriksen, Charles Frank, Scott Paulin
This fact-based historical drama follows the early years of the United States space programme, focusing on the Navy, Marine, and Air Force test pilots who became the Mercury Seven astronauts and eventually flew in space. Philip Kaufman's 192-minute epic, adapted from Tom Wolfe's 1979 nonfiction book, explores the physical dangers, political pressures, and personal sacrifices involved in the space race. The story is captivating and the film looks and sounds terrific, but it does overstay its welcome. The narrative is bookended with the exploits of legendary pilot Chuck Yeager, and these scenes could easily have been omitted. An Academy Award winner for best editing, score, sound, and sound effects editing.
