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Film Description
Kaufman's magnificent epic is the modern equivalent of the Western - laconic heroes of virtue venturing skyward, leaving the tired arguments of politicians behind. Beginning with legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager's attempts to break the sound barrier, the film shows the progress of the seven astronauts chosen for America's first space programme.
Based on the book by Tom Wolfe, this brilliantly mounted, acted and shot film is one of finest of the 80s. Like Wolfe's source material, Kaufman's script is well aware... more >
Based on the book by Tom Wolfe, this brilliantly mounted, acted and shot film is one of finest of the 80s. Like Wolfe's source material, Kaufman's script is well aware of the hype and bluster of the media circus that surrounded the space program, yet deals with this aspect of the story with both a ready wit and satrircal bite that never detracts from the essential heroism of these all-American heroes. It is a bold, inspiring and uncategorizable work that for the entire running time of its considerable length remains totally fascinating, intelligent cinema. As the years go by its status as a modern classic seems ever more assured, and the performances, especially Shepard as the iconic, Gary Cooper-like Yeager (memorably described by David Thomson as being "as phlegmatic and unaffected as chewing gum at Mach 1"), are all first rate. < less
