How Apollo 13 the Movie Stacks Up Against Reality
Written on
Chapter 1: The Apollo 13 Mission
On April 17, 1970, the world held its breath as astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise launched into space, traveling at speeds exceeding 20,000 miles per hour. They soon found themselves in a fight for survival, trapped in a crippled spacecraft after an explosion in their oxygen tanks. With supplies dwindling, the crucial moment of re-entry approached. A miscalculation could lead to their demise—either drifting endlessly in space or burning up during atmospheric re-entry. Meanwhile, mission control in Houston anxiously monitored the situation.
As we mark the 50th anniversary of this nearly catastrophic lunar mission, it’s fitting to reflect on the acclaimed film directed by Ron Howard, Apollo 13. Featuring a stellar performance by Tom Hanks as astronaut Jim Lovell, the film garnered two Oscars in 1996. However, fans have often wondered: How accurate is this cinematic portrayal? Did anyone actually say, “Houston, we have a problem”? Were there really intense arguments among the crew? Did duct tape play a crucial role in their survival?
Here, we delve into five notable scenes from the film and compare them with the actual events.
Section 1.1: "Houston, We Have a Problem"
Tom Hanks delivered one of cinema’s most iconic lines, but did Lovell actually utter those exact words? The transcript reveals a more nuanced exchange that took place over 16 seconds:
02:07:55:19 Fred Haise: "Houston, we’ve had a problem. Okay, Houston — "
02:07:55:20 Jack Swigert: "I believe we’ve had a problem here."
02:07:55:28 Jack Lousma (CAPCOM): "This is Houston. Say again, please."
02:07:55:35 Jim Lovell: "Houston, we’ve had a problem."
While the film's version may lack historical precision, the director opted for a more dramatic flair.
Section 1.2: Crew Dynamics
Jim Lovell has stated that the movie's depiction of heated discussions among the crew is exaggerated. The primary focus for them was on their main goal: returning safely to Earth. The director took artistic liberties to convey the emotional state of the astronauts, which led to some disagreements with the actual Apollo 13 team.
Subsection 1.2.1: Command Under Pressure
In one scene, flight director Gene Kranz is portrayed as losing control and yelling at mission control staff. However, he maintained that calmness was essential for effective decision-making to ensure the crew's safe return.
Section 1.3: The Role of Duct Tape
During the mission, the crew faced a critical challenge: removing carbon dioxide from the spacecraft. The lunar module, designed for two astronauts over two days, now had to sustain three people for four days. The incompatible square lithium hydroxide canisters posed a significant problem.
In the film, Kranz is shown asking the team to fit a square peg into a round hole. The real ingenuity came from the crew, who crafted a solution using a plastic bag, the cover of their flight plan, and a hose from a spacesuit. They managed to create a makeshift device that effectively dealt with the CO2 issue in approximately an hour.
Chapter 2: Misquoted Wisdom
Another famous line attributed to Kranz, "Failure is not an option," was never actually spoken by him. Nonetheless, he later published a book using that phrase as its title.
Is the Apollo 13 film accurate?
In truth, aside from a few minor details, the movie remains highly faithful to the actual events, which contributes to its acclaim among both audiences and critics, including the NASA astronauts who attended its premiere. The director's commitment to authenticity was a significant factor in the film's success. Would you agree?
Dr. Ana Luiza Dias holds a Ph.D. in Psychobiology (Sleep Sciences) and specializes in Biotechnology from the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil. She has a deep passion for science, nature, and biotechnology, aiming to enhance people’s health and quality of life.
Did you enjoy this article? Join us at The Cosmic Companion Network for our podcast, weekly video series, informative newsletter, news briefings on Amazon Alexa, and more!