James Horner’s score begins.

Fade in.

The Universal logo animation, the word UNIVERSAL across a cloudless planet Earth, appears, and resolves into the title card “UNIVERSAL – AN MCA COMPANY.” The title fades to black.

TITLE: “Imagine Entertainment Presents”

TITLE: “A Brian Grazer Production”

TITLE: “A Ron Howard Film”

Over-exposed video appears, a step-framed image of astronaut boots walking across a gangway.

TITLE: “APOLLO 1 PRE-LAUNCH TEST, CAPE KENNEDY, FLORIDA, JANUARY 27, 1967”

Over an audio circuit, a voice says, “Flight, we have the crew crossing gantry for capsule ingress.”

“Roger that,” replies another voice on the audio circuit.

Narrator Walter Cronkite says, “Inspired by the late President Kennedy, in only seven years, America has risen to the challenge of what he called the most hazardous and dangerous, and greatest adventure -”

IN THIS MINUTE:

Narrator: Walter Cronkite

Narrator continues: ” on which Man has ever embarked.”

Gus Grissom reaches for the control panel of Apollo 1’s Command Module. A spark leaps out from the panel.

Narrator: “After trailing the Russians for years with our manned space program, and after that sudden and horrible fire on the launch pad during that routine test that killed American astronauts Gus Grissiom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, there were serious doubts as to whether we could beat the Russians to the Moon.”

Flames lick the walls of the cabin. Ed White reaches for the hatch, pounding an open hand on the hatch windows as flames engulf the interior of the ship.

The scene changes to a driver’s eye view of the streets of nighttime Houston.

TITLE: JULY 20, 1969 HOUSTON TEXAS

Narrator: “But tonight,  a mere eighteen months after the tragedy of Apollo One, the entire world watched in awe as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon.”

A red Corvette winds its way through traffic. Jim Lovell is at the wheel.

TITLE: TOM HANKS

1969 video footage of Walter Cronkite, saying “the big news came just a moment ago, Mission Control gave the spacecraft permission to go for the extra vehicular activity — that is, for the walk on the Moon — far earlier than anticipated: 9 PM, Eastern Daylight Time…”

Back at the Lovell household, Astronaut Jack Swigert is explaining docking procedures to a smiling blonde woman.

“Now the important thing when you’re penetrating the Lunar Module,” says Swigert, pointing the top of a long-necked Budweiser bottle at a tall glass, “is your attitude and your relative speed.” Swigert looks at the woman.  “Now, let’s say this is me here in the Command Module,” he continues, wiggling the beer bottle, “and let’s say this is you, in the LM,” he jiggles the glass.  “This thing that sticks out in front, that’s called –”

TITLE: KEVIN BACON

IN THIS MINUTE:

Narrator: Walter Cronkite
Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks
Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon
Tracy: Karen Martin
Gus Grissom: Steve Bernie
Ed White: Steve Ruge
Roger Chaffee: Reed Rudy

Jack Swigert is explaining to Tracy how docking works in space.

“It’s called a probe,” says Swigert, waving the long neck of a beer bottle at a tall glass.

“Is that true?” asks Tracy, smiling.

TITLE: BILL PAXTON

“Absolutely,” says Swigert, “and, Tracy, I’ll tell you: when you feel that thing slide in, and everything’s clicking – – it’s like no other feeling in the world.” Tracy laughs.

TITLE: GARY SINESE

The front door opens, and Jim Lovell steps inside, carrying a box of Moet & Chandon Champagne. Astronaut Pete Conrad steps in behind him.

“A little liquid propulsion,” says Lovell to the partygoers. “What’s the big occasion?”

TITLE: ED HARRIS

“How’s it going over there at Mission Control?” asks Swigert.

“It’s a nervous time,” replies Lovell, “They’re pacing around, smoking like chimneys – – Gene Kranz is going to have puppies.” Lovell notices the blonde woman talking to Swigert. “Jim Lovell,” he says, holding out a hand. Tracy smiles and shakes his hand.

“Hi,” says Tracy.

“This is Tracy,” says Swigert.

“How do you do?” replies Lovell.

“This, this is the man,” explains Swigert to Tracy. “Gemini Seven, Gemini Twelve, Apollo Eight – – they were the first ones around the Moon, this guy did ten laps.”

“Wow,” says Tracy.

“… with one hand on the wheel,” remarks Lovell, laughing. “You guys make yourselves at home.” Lovell turns toward the kitchen. “Hey, Marilyn –”

TITLE: APOLLO 13

“This is the last champagne,” says Lovell, kissing his wife, “in the city of Houston.”

“Quite good, quite good,” says Marilyn.

TITLE: KATHLEEN QUINLAN

“Everything else alright?” asks Lovell. Marilyn is already out of earshot in the living room. “Looks okay,” he continues to himself.

“Hey, Cadet Lovell!” says Jim to his son, Jay, who’s wearing a St. John’s Military Academy t-shirt.

“Hey, Dad,” says his son.

“Put this on ice in the back and make sure it gets cold,” says Jim.

TITLE: DAVID ANDREWS, XANDER BERKELEY

“You gonna get a haircut this summer?” Jim asks his son.

“I’m on vacation,” replies his son.

“Oh, get a haircut!” replies Jim.

TITLE: CHRISTIAN CLEMENSON, BRETT CULLEN

In the Lovell study, Fred Haise looks at a framed cover of Time Magazine’s 1968 Men of the Year, Astronauts Anders, Borman, and Lovell.

Ken Mattingly walks into the study.

IN THIS MINUTE:

Jim Lovell: Tom Hanks
Jack Swigert: Kevin Bacon
Tracy: Karen Martin
Fred Haise: Bill Paxton
Ken Mattingly: Gary Sinese
Marilyn Lovell: Kathleen Quinlan
Jay Lovell:  Max Elliott Slade
Pete Conrad: David Andrews