If you are interested in history, or manned space flight, or both, you owe it to yourself to tune in tonight as the National Geographic Channel presents Space Race: The Untold Story.
Based on Deborah Cadbury’s “Space Race : The Epic Battle Between America and the Soviet Union for Dominion of Space,”, this is a NG special that goes far beyond the documentary format and enters the realm of drama.
In fact, there is so much interaction and dialogue between the characters that the narration almost seems superfluous at times. The special effects are awesome and interspersed into the narrative are actual photographs and film of what’s took place.
This is truly a unique documentary format and makes for some absolutely riveting television.
The story follows the two titans of the space age; America’s Wernher von Braun and the Soviet’s mysterious “Chief Designer” whose name was unknown for nearly 40 years, Sergei Korolev. Von Braun, who designed and built the V-2 rocket for Hitler, was a childhood hero of mine – until the release of World War II era documents that showed he knowingly used slave labor in building his rockets. A complex character, realistically portrayed – warts and all – von Braun was one of the true geniuses of the 20th century. It is not an exaggeration to say that if he had been captured by the Soviets rather than deliberately surrendered to the Americans, it is unlikely we would have made it to the moon at all.
Korolev on the other hand was purged by Stalin in the 1930’s and spent several years in Siberia until the Russians realized they needed his expertise to steal the rocket technology invented by von Braun. Rehabilitated, his work spurred the Americans on during the entire space race.
The documentary is making a big deal about the fact that the reason the superpowers were so desperate for German rocket technology was not for peaceful purposes but rather for a platform to deliver nuclear weapons. Um…this is a surprise? To whom? Ten year old children perhaps.
That said, this is a crackling good documentary. The four hour show airs in two parts tonight at 6:00 PM central time. Check your local listings and set your Tivos.
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