For All Mankind (1989)

93% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
91% of users liked it
(1,671 ratings)

Sorting through nearly one hundred hours of film and sound recordings recovered from NASA, director Al Rienart has pieced together a seamless documentary commemorating man's landing on the moon. The film is a montage of images with voice-over interviews and comments from the participating astronauts… More Sorting through nearly one hundred hours of film and sound recordings recovered from NASA, director Al Rienart has pieced together a seamless documentary commemorating man's landing on the moon. The film is a montage of images with voice-over interviews and comments from the participating astronauts of the moon landing. Brian Eno, famous for his ethereal music, provides the score. For All Mankind was nominated for the Best Documentary Oscar in 1989. ~ Ed Atkinson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 19 min.
Directed By: Al Reinert
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Feb 15, 2000
Studio: Criterion Collection

Critic Reviews

Anton Bitel, Little White Lies
It could be argued that the Apollo missions were essentially a big, expensive photo opportunity for the propaganda machine of the Cold War, but Reinert's film serves to remind us that they also redefined who, where and why we are.
Christopher Long, Movie Metropolis
Apparently, grown men tend to act the same on the moon. One astronaut in mid-leap shouts "Ya-hoo!" If youre not smiling while you watch that, youve obviously never dreamed.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
encapsulates with great power the wonderment of something that too many of us now take for granted
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
... not a documentary of an Apollo mission but the story man's odyssey to the moon...
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
Not quite a space odyssey, but a peerless planetarium show.
Fernando F. Croce, Slant Magazine
If not the screen's ultimate portrait of space travel, For All Mankind remains a peerless planetarium show.
Jason Morgan, Filmcritic.com
like looking at the night sky for the first time.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
For All Mankind is about what makes these men all the same...and, to some extent what makes us all the same: our infinitesimal smallness in the humbling vastness of the universe. [Blu-ray]
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Hipnótico ao trazer imagens absolutamente fabulosas de um (ou, a rigor, de vários) dos grandes momentos da História recente da Humanidade.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
Visually stunning, For All Mankind bears repeated watching

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

First L

For All Mankind is a breath-taking documentary that combines footage from Apollo missions 8 through 17 and along with narration by the astronauts themselves, takes us on a journey to the moon and back again. Simultaneously beautiful, mind-blowing and terrifying, it thoroughly… More
For All Mankind is a breath-taking documentary that combines footage from Apollo missions 8 through 17 and along with narration by the astronauts themselves, takes us on a journey to the moon and back again. Simultaneously beautiful, mind-blowing and terrifying, it thoroughly documents the sheer amazement of man's greatest accomplishment. The Space Program as a billion dollar art project, and well worth every penny. We are placed in the space suit, we are seeing the earth from Neil Armstrong's eyes. I don't think there's ever been a documentary quite like this one. The Brian Eno soundtrack seems a perfect marriage to the footage. The whole project in fact, creates a mood and accomplishes exactly what it set out to do. A film that makes me proud to be an earthling.
Chris B

Simply put, one of the greatest documentaries on one of the most exciting and interesting topics. Highly Recommended!
MJS M

I?ve heard a lot of good things about this Doc, but I?ve avoided it for a really long time simply because I feel like I?ve seen more than enough about the moon landing for one lifetime. I still feel that way after seeing it, but I can appreciate the strong filmmaking behind this.… More
I?ve heard a lot of good things about this Doc, but I?ve avoided it for a really long time simply because I feel like I?ve seen more than enough about the moon landing for one lifetime. I still feel that way after seeing it, but I can appreciate the strong filmmaking behind this. The movie combines footage from all the Apollo missions and edits it to look like one lone mission. That?s a really interesting format, and it?s done in a really artful way. There?s very little voice over and no talking heads, just original footage and audio made into a collage with some wistful Brian Eno music to hold it all together. It?s sort of like Koyaanisqatsi in space.
Emily B

A fascinating documentary. No annoying voice overs from an outsider, instead great narration from the astronauts and the actual radio transmissions.

Cast

Richard Gordon
as Narrator
Michael Collins
as Narrator
Charles Conrad
as Narrator

See full cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!

Discover movies your friends are watching
Keep track of what you want to see
Add your reviews to your Timeline

Get Started

For All Mankind (1989)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

First L

Chris B

MJS M

Emily B

Cast

Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!