One vivid memory from my childhood is that of watching the black and white images of Neil Armstrong taking that first step from the lunar module of Apollo 11 and uttering those famous (and apparently unscripted words) "That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind."  I was ten, and I sprawled on the floor of my sister's bedroom as my parents and I watched the grainy images on our sole TV --- a 9" portable Zenith.  I don't think I thought a thing about it the next day, though I know now what an auspicious occasion I witnessed that evening, the momentous event that it was for the whole world.

On a friend's suggestion, I recently viewed a showing of Ron Howard and Chris Riley's documentary, In the Shadow of the Moon.  As partial as I am to story, it's sometimes difficult for me to watch a documentary, much less pay for the experience.  Not this time.  I was transfixed by a film which captures the space program's heyday from the perspective of those now graying men who actually went to the moon, as well as from historic, archival footage, some never before seen publicly.  Co-Director Riley was given access to the 10,000 rolls of 16mm film preserved in canisters at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, much of it untouched since the 1960s.  The project took 10 years to complete, as after reviewing the film and capturing about five hours of it, they then had to marry it up with sound --- a difficult, tedious process.

Watching the film, I appreciated so much the focus on the individual men, all seen in close up interview shots (although Armstrong, a very private person, was not seen).  They came across as ordinary men, each with their unique personalities, and yet men who did an extraordinary thing: they went to the moon and back.  Nothing was culled that might not suit Hollywood.  For example, left in is Buzz Aldrin's Christmas Eve reading of the Creation account of Genesis 1, which NASA for later sued over by an atheist.  Left in was Charlie Duke's testimony of faith in Jesus Christ, as well as other spiritual references by astronauts.  The film captures the expectancy and pride felt everywhere by human beings witnessing a monumental thing.  A French woman exclaimed: "I always knew America could do it."  Can you imagine that kind of response now?  But the film didn't provoke nostalgia, as if that was the glory days.  It just made me appreciate those times when people realize we are all one human race --- a fleeting moment, perhaps, but an echo of the unity we will have in Christ in a new heavens and new earth.

There are a few words of profanity, but I encourage families with teenagers and preteens to see the film.  It will give you and appreciation for these men and all who made the program a success.  It might even inspire careers in aviation and aerospace.  And in a time when books promoting the "New Atheism" are bestsellers, it's good to hear those few men who have seen the world from a little of God's perspective acknowledge that there must be more than this, that there must be a Creator.

[For more information on the movie and showtimes, visit the online movie site here.]