Apollo 1

This is a most impressive visual collection of data pertaining to the tragic accident that took the lives of Apollo astronauts Grisson, Chaffee, and White; it is a noteworthy archival asset to anyone interested in the history of the American space program that led to the placing of men on the moon, and contains some of the best footage I've personally viewed in this important subject area. Of additional interest, recorded from the viewpoint of two NASA flight surgeons (Drs. Fred Kelly and Duane Graveline), are two books written by these formerly associated NASA professionals. The first (by Dr. Kelly) is a hardcover book titled 'America's Astronauts and their Indestructible Spirit' (TAB books, 1986, available through AMAZON BOOKS). It contains a full chapter on the fire, written from the singularly unique perspective of Dr. Kelly, who was the Cape blockhouse NASA flight surgeon on duty when the fire occurred, and who chaired the medical section of the subsequent accident investigation. Dr. Kelly is a dual-rated US Naval Aviator / Flight Surgeon and would have been one of the first MD astronauts, had it not been for an unfortunate 'difference of opinion' with Astronaut Chief Deke Slayton. The second book, a paperback titled 'From Laika With Love', by ex-Apollo astronaut and flight surgeon Duane Graveline, contains among its interesting material a further chapter on the Apollo 204 capsule fire (authored by Dr. Kelly). These two books are together highly recommended to supplement the excellent Spacecraft Films DVD series of space program documentation for anyone ranging from the casual armchair reader to the museum historian or curator. Together with the Spacecraft Films DVD material, there is little left to the imagination on exactly what happened and how untoward events and circumstance led to this highly avoidable disaster.

Did anyone cry during the funeral scenes? I did! This is one of my most prized possessions as Gus Grissom is my hero! I love this DVD!!! The scene I liked the most was the Gus Grissom funeral scene becuase he is my hero, and he was being laid to rest. Plus, the other Mercury 7 astronauts were there in full uniform. I still admire them greatly. It moved me seeing Wally Schirra right on the edge of crying his eyes out, seesing the sad faces of Glenn, Copper, Slayton, and Shepard- especially! I wish I were there at that time. I thank God that there is moving footage about Gus' funeral because it is healing to me. A year ago, I pout flowers on grissom's grave.

This DVD is a superb tribute to three very brave men, and some very brave people on the pad too. The entire production is done with sympathy and care and is very moving. Anyone with an interest in the history of spaceflight will find it absorbing. Spacecraft Films never produces anything less than excellent and this is one of their best sets.

I agree totally with the previous review for this set and the Spacecraft Films DVD's in general.

Spacecraft Films has provided an important visual and audio record of the ultimate sacrifice made by three brave men in pursuit of the nation's goal of reaching the moon by the end of the 60's. Without them, we probably wouldn't have made it. This DVD has a personal resonance for me. I became hooked on the space program as a young boy growing up in the 60's and had the honor of snagging an autograph from Gus--my first from an astronaut--in '62. It hangs in my office at this writing. I'm glad to see that Gus, Ed and Roger are getting their due. I wish that NASA and the Smithsonian would entertain the idea of displaying the Apollo One spacecraft at the National Air & Space Museum. It is my belief that doing so would not be morbid, but would represent a tribute to her crew and demonstrate that progress comes at a cost.