The Right Stuff

The Right Stuff (1983)

  • 97% of critics liked it
    (39 reviews)

  • 87% of users liked it
    (20,941 ratings)

Covering some 15 years, The Right Stuff recounts the formation of America's space program, concentrating on the original Mercury astronauts. Scott Glenn plays Alan Shepard, the first American in space; Fred Ward is Gus Grissom, the benighted astronaut for whom nothing works out as planned; and… More

PG,
Directed By
Genres
Drama, Action & Adventure
In Theaters
Oct 21, 1983 Wide
Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

    Moviegoers seeking a grand yet edifying entertainment, right-stuffed with what Kaufman calls "seriousness of subject matter and a wild humor that comes out of left field," now know where to look...

  • Variety Staff, Variety

    The Right Stuff is a humdinger. Full of beauty, intelligence and excitement, this big-scale look at the development of the US space program and its pioneering aviators provides a fresh, entertaining look back at the recent past.

  • Geoff Andrew, Time Out

    From the opening moments it is clear that we have the nearest modern equivalent to a Western: men of quiet virtue going skyward, leaving the tawdry world of log-rolling politicians behind.

  • Vincent Canby, New York Times

    These men remain virtually flawless heroes, almost too good, decent and brave to be true, and it's a measure of how successful the movie is that one is inclined to believe it.

  • Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

    That the writer-director, Philip Kaufman, is able to get so much into a little more than three hours is impressive. That he also has organized this material into one of the best recent American movies is astonishing.

Read all 14 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

  • Universal D


    A bit of an interesting history lesson and character study about the beginnings of the American space program. Shepard is iconic as Chuck Yeager, Harris does justice as John Glenn, and Fred Ward lends pathos as Virgil Grissom. A feeling of cowboys looking for the next bronc to break… More

  • Chris W


    Based on Tom Wolfe's book, this is the story, spanning some 15-6 years about the beginnings of America's space program, focusing on the Mercury 7, but starting with test pilots like Chuck Yeager, who, despite breaking the sound barrier, and being widely considering the best… More

  • Sanjay R


    This was a good movie, but had many flaws. There were way too many useless/prolonged scenes that extended the run time to a ridiculous 3hr 13min. That being said, it does have humorous and entertaining moments. It really captures the issues of everyone involved in this risky space… More

  • Phil H


    Based on the book by Wolfe and not liked by the author due to changes made for the film, despite this one cannot look away from this epic adventure following the space race and the many efforts of the US to beat those pesky Russians. First up the cast, its pretty epic in itself,… More

  • Adam K


    A masterpiece of story telling and film making comes together in 'The Right Stuff'. Telling the story of the first American Mercury astronauts the film is emotional, powerful and witty at times as it hooks you in to a story you already know. Based on Tom Wolfe's… More

Read all 20 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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