Educational Media Reviews Online

This is the story of Gene Cernan, who as the title says, was the last astronaut ever to walk on the moon. The documentary takes you from Cernan’s early days as a test pilot through his post landing glory days to where he is now, an 82 year old former astronaut who is still very busy promoting the space program. The documentary combines archival footage, Cernan visiting the sites and hardware of his missions and incredibly realistic recreations of certain scenes of his missions while in outer space. Fellow astronauts, mission controllers from that era and even his former and current wife help fill in the narrative. A certain gravity exists throughout the film, almost no pun intended, a product of the slow pacing, quiet sections and excellent film score. It is as much about Mr. Cernan as it is an effort to highlight the enormous feat accomplished by NASA’s Mercury through the Moon programs and how abruptly it all ended.

The Last Man on the Moon succeeds in several ways. Those too young to remember the space launches will get a sincere but brief inside look our space program though a major participants story. Back when we had more questions than answers about space flight it was astronauts like Cernan who help figure out things like methods for taking space walks. It reminds us of the astronauts who died or nearly died too in our reach for the moon. It is also about aging and old friendships and family. Cernan is honest many times in stating what a low priority he and his fellow astronauts gave to their families in order to get into space. Near the end he reveals that he still has the Type-A personality that got him into the moon program by showing us his filled up touring schedule and he wonders if maybe now he can finally slow down.

This film will appeal to audiences looking for an inside, personal look at the space program that does not have the fact filled feel of a documentary.

Awards

• AAP Award-Best Documentary
• Texas Independent Film Award
• Newport Beach Film Festival-Audience Award