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Apollo 13: Survival

Play trailer Poster for Apollo 13: Survival 2024 1h 38m Documentary History Play Trailer Watchlist
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Just nine months after Neil Armstrong's historic moon landing, NASA faced the greatest crisis in its history. On the night of April 13th 1970, a catastrophic explosion rocked the Apollo 13 spacecraft, stranding three astronauts halfway to the moon. Within a few hours, the primary oxygen and power supply would be gone, setting the stage for one of the great survival stories in human history. What unfolded over the next four days was a rescue mission like no other; a knife-edge, life-or-death drama, broadcast in real time to the watching world.
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Apollo 13: Survival

Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide Observer (UK) Familiarity doesn’t lessen the impact of this excellent documentary by Peter Middleton. Rated: 4/5 Sep 10, 2024 Full Review Danny Leigh Financial Times Not just a documentary, it is a juddering collage of archive footage, some never seen before, subtly laced with artful reconstructions. Life and death hang in the balance amid vintage buzz and crackle. Rated: 3/5 Sep 5, 2024 Full Review Adrian Horton Guardian As arranged in Apollo 13: Survival, a new documentary about the flawed mission, these facts somehow seem much drier, though meticulously and sumptuously rendered through restored archival material. Rated: 4/5 Sep 5, 2024 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies With Capt. Jim Lovell’s recent passing at 97 years old, the 2024 documentary Apollo 13: Survival feels newly poignant and timely in light of his heroics. Rated: 4/5 Aug 18, 2025 Full Review Brett McCracken The Gospel Coalition While it may lack the emotional texture of Howard’s film, it still offers audiences a gripping and inspiring story involving bravery, scientific ingenuity, and heroic collaboration toward a shared goal. Sep 23, 2024 Full Review Rohan Naahar The Indian Express Apollo 13: Survival functions not as an introduction, but as an enhancement to a gruelling tale of grit and human perseverance. Sep 18, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Lisa C The real deal. Love seeing the real people embedded in their lives leading up to such a memorable event. The footage is amazing, and you get to see the astronauts lives leading up to their survival challenge. The confluence of players each lend their expertise. True Americans. Patriots. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/12/25 Full Review Sal D Compelling documentary of the Apollo 14 mission. Vastly superior to Ron Howard’s movie starring Tom Hanks. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/04/25 Full Review Sua S I couldn't get past the footage that showed Lovell in mission control during the Apollo 13 flight. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/12/25 Full Review Walt S This is a fabulous documentary that is a must see. The presentation itself is great. Thanks to all who produced and shared this wonderful story of heroes in space and in Houston that lived through the terror of Apollo 13. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/03/24 Full Review Dan R 2024's 'Apollo 13: Survival' is a behind the scenes look at one of NASA's most famous stories and the incredible survival effort which was made to save three men's lives. SYNOPSIS: 'In April 1970, NASA faced the greatest crisis in its history; three astronauts halfway to the moon on a spacecraft that had suffered a catastrophic explosion.' This story was made famous by Ron Howard's film from 1995 but there are small nuggets of new material and information here that we've not seen before. This incredible story really did seem to unite the world, not just America, in wishing the three men home safely. This just isn't a documentary, it is a gorgeous collage of archive footage, some never seen before, subtly laced with artful reconstructions. A beautiful look back into history. 9/10 Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/12/24 Full Review Matt D Exceptional-highly recommend regardless if you know the story or have watched the Movie “Apollo 13.” Incredibly well done. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/04/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Just nine months after Neil Armstrong's historic moon landing, NASA faced the greatest crisis in its history. On the night of April 13th 1970, a catastrophic explosion rocked the Apollo 13 spacecraft, stranding three astronauts halfway to the moon. Within a few hours, the primary oxygen and power supply would be gone, setting the stage for one of the great survival stories in human history. What unfolded over the next four days was a rescue mission like no other; a knife-edge, life-or-death drama, broadcast in real time to the watching world.
Director
Peter Middleton
Producer
Clive Patterson, Hugh Davies
Distributor
Netflix
Production Co
Insight Film
Genre
Documentary, History
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 5, 2024
Runtime
1h 38m
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