We all know that famed astronaut Neil Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the moon. We also know his famous words, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Now we’ll get a better understanding of what the man behind the legend was like when documentary Armstrong hits theaters on July 12.
Narrated by Harrison Ford, the official synopsis of the film says that Armstrong will be, “a dramatic and emotional documentary that features never-before-seen family home-movie footage, along with still and moving images that chronicle Neil Armstrong’s incredible life.” Made with support from the Armstrong family, the film covers Neil’s life from his beginnings as a fighter pilot in the Korean War, to this first exposure to space on the Gemini 8 mission, and his stratospheric rise to fame following his legendary landing on the moon. The film’s release date is an important one as it marks the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.
I’m not the biggest fan of biopics because of their dramatization of real-life exploits. While some films achieve greatness in spite of their inspiration (ironically, Armstrong inspired First Man did not), a documentary is usually able to sidestep that issue because of its factual focus. I’m more interested in learning about the actual life of the man behind such a monumental moment in history than I am seeing Hollywood actors pretend they are important people. Hopefully, Armstrong can deliver the goods.
