Project Gemini - A Bold Leap Forward

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Summary: Stunning footage from the all-but-forgotten Gemini Program
Review: "Project Gemini - A Bold Leap Forward" was the second of 5 purchases I made from the wonderful Spacecraft Films series, and it remains far and away my favorite. Unlike the sets covering the Apollo missions, this edition contains a fine documentary (written by "A Man On The Moon" author Andrew Chaiken) that covers the whole of the Gemini program, in addition to each mission's individual film footage. While the presentation of raw, unadulterated images of NASA's quest for the moon is one of the series' distinguishing features, the context provided by the documentary is invaluable. Without it, for example, all the drama behind the images of Gemini VI's failed first launch attempt would be lost on most viewers.

Also interesting is the editor's decision to lay voice recordings of the post-flight astronaut press conferences over much of the mission footage. Some of it (the Gemini IV section, for instance) is synched to reflect exactly what the press would have viewed on the projection screens in the briefings while the astronauts commented on the images. It's almost like having a NASA press pass in 1965.

The most compelling thing for me about this particular set, however, remains that 100% of the footage is shot in 16mm color film (there was no TV on board Gemini). The images are simply stunning, even if the frame rates are relatively low. While the eerie black and white TV images of the early Apollo missions are haunting in their own way, they can't match the sheer beauty of film. Viewing the footage makes it quickly apparent why many Gemini images came to symbolize mankind's exploration of space.

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Summary: Superior DVD Set On The Program That Made Apollo Possible
Review: Few people remember Project Gemini today, which is a shame because Gemini really paved the way for the success of the Apollo program in many ways, the three most critical of which were demonstration of rendezvous, demonstration of Extra-Vehicular Activity, and demonstration of long endurance manned missions.

This set is a beautifully assembled set of footage taken from all Gemini missions, and includes launch, in-flight, and recovery footage, as well as an excellent documentary from renowned Apollo historian Andrew Chaikin.

While space enthusiasts will find this fascinating, this set is not for everyone as many shots of launches, etc., are quite similar, and will seem monotonous to those not truly fascinated by the subject matter. I particularly enjoyed the coverage of the more eventful and unusual missions, especially Gemini Six, Seven, and Eight. I highly recommend this DVD set as well as all the others in the series from Spacecraft Films.


Rating:
Summary: Excellent Piece Of History
Review: Gemini programm was the one who attracted my interest in manned spaceflight for my life. There is a lot of books you can read with full information on the project but nothing can compare to the visual experience. This DVD is complete, excellently put together, quality is marvelous, I went through it in two sessions - you simply cannot stop! Highlights are definitely Ed White's and Buzz Aldrin's spacewalks and of course Gemini 6 and 7 rendezvous.I just hope there will be the similar coverage of the Mercury available soon.
However, there are three comments for improvement. First is silent spacecraft instrument panel footage - you really cannot enjoy it fully without accompanying sound. Second and third is missing Atlas ATDA launch coverage and Mike Collins' EVAs - I'm not aware of any camera problems during the GT-10 flight, the view of Agena 8 visit would be very interesting.
But this is really just a minor issue, this material is a must for every manned spaceflight enthusiast.

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Summary: It's Not Rocket Science... It's Continuity
Review: I've found that the film content is stunning. The Gemini missions are overlooked when it comes to the manned moon missions. I did wish for a little more attention when it came to the production of the discs. For instance the onboard comentary for the Gemini XI by Pete Conrad describing the EVA is repeated during the splashdown & recovery segment. Conrad is describing the capsule's fly-over of Houston while the frogmen are extracting the astronauts and then the spacecraft from the ocean.

Also, in another mission segment, the spacecraft ingress chapter repeats on it's own unless the PLAY ALL option is selected. The latter may be a quality issue with the disc that I purchased but the former is simply a audio editing oversite.

I do look forward to the future mission releases I just hope that the DVD authoring is improved.

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Summary: Worth every penny!
Review: Most people have either forgotten about Gemini or have never even heard of it, but without Gemini, we would have never gone to the moon. Pretty much everything that was learned to go to the moon, or to dock with a space station for that matter was learned during the hectic program that took place in 1965-1966.

I've seen a great deal of Gemini film, but it pales to what is on these discs. Shoot, it is worth the price just for the Gemini 7&6 footage alone, but there's all the other flights as well.

Then there's the original documentary, as well as commentary by the astronauts themselves during the post-flight press conferences while the flights were still fresh on their minds.

All in all a tremendous archive of perhaps the entire foundation of space flight that we know today, the Gemini program.

Rating:
Summary: Jaw Dropping
Review: No matter how big a spacebuff you consider yourself, there are things on these DVD's you have never seen before, and I'm not even through all 3 yet.For example Ed White's entire EVA. Also the sharpness and chrispness of the picture is EYE-POPPING. I saw things and details I have never seen in over 20 years of watching the little bits and pieces of the on-board film you find and see here and there. Too bad the rating does not go to 10 stars.

Rating:
Summary: A must have!
Review: This DVD set is a real must have for all space-enthusiasts. A real jump into the past, a breath-taking account of the dawn of american space era.

Rating:
Summary: A must have!
Review: This DVD set is a real must have for all space-enthusiasts. A real jump into the past, a breath-taking account of the dawn of american space era.

Rating:
Summary: Spacecraftfilms setting the new standard in docu-DVD
Review: Without Gemini there could be no Apollo. Finally the forerunner to Lunar Landings, Project Gemini is given the documentation it deserves. This is such a nice package as it really is pioneering vintage space travel. I can imagine these discs being used in 100 years time as a guide to how the first travellers went about doing their trips.

As always, the quality is awesome. The attention to all things minute gives the pacakge that typical Spacecraftfilms labour of love feel to it. Some missions have a post-mission debrief soundtrack, and some have actual mission audio. All launch angles are there, as is all extraneous and bonus material.

Similar to the space mission progression, you cant have the Apollo discs without having the Gemini discs. Wow great set, and again well done Spacecraftfilms for this fantastic effort!