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13 Factors That Saved Apollo 13

Name: 13 Factors That Saved Apollo 13
Director: Elliot Weaver, Zander Weaver
Released: 2014
Duration: 104 min

Representation Score

1.9/10

Minimal

2014

Director

Elliot Weaver, Zander Weaver

Runtime

104 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

This documentary serves as a technical chronicle of the Apollo 13 mission, emphasizing historical accuracy and archival preservation. Given its focus on the 1970s space program, the film naturally reflects the era's lack of social diversity. The narrative structure highlights Western institutional triumph and masculine leadership. While it effectively documents a major technological milestone, it does not challenge the historical status quo or introduce diverse perspectives. Ultimately, the film operates as a traditional historical record. It captures the ingenuity of the mission without addressing the systemic exclusions present in the original NASA environment.

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Category Breakdown

Does 13 Factors That Saved Apollo 13 have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses on the technical and logistical crisis of the Apollo 13 mission. It does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or stories about non-cisgender identities.

How does 13 Factors That Saved Apollo 13 portray gender?

Limited

The story centers on male astronauts and engineering teams, reinforcing traditional masculine leadership roles common in the 1970s aerospace industry.

How racially and ethnically diverse is 13 Factors That Saved Apollo 13?

Limited

The film recounts a historical event where the astronaut corps lacked racial diversity. It highlights the homogeneity of the era's space program.

How does 13 Factors That Saved Apollo 13 represent religion and culture?

Fair

The film celebrates Western scientific achievements and NASA's institutional expertise. It emphasizes a narrative of state-sponsored engineering and Western technological success.

Does 13 Factors That Saved Apollo 13 include disability representation?

Minimal

Physiological challenges like dehydration and freezing temperatures are shown as environmental hazards. There is no depiction of permanent disabilities or neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

Offers a detailed technical account of the mission's survival factors.
Uses impressive NASA footage and exclusive interviews with space experts.
Documents the courage and ingenuity needed to overcome deep space crises.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of diverse identities within the historical space program.
Reinforces traditional, male-dominated leadership roles and social hierarchies.
Focuses on Western institutional success without critiquing systemic power structures.

Official Synopsis

April 13th, 1970, 180,000 miles from Earth, a devastating malfunction leaves Apollo 13 leaking previous oxygen and its crew of three astronauts facing a life and death crisis. If Mission Control cannot find a way to bring Apollo 13 home, the astronauts will be stranded 200,000 miles from Earth in their dying ship. Now with limited power and supplies on board the spacecraft, the ground teams work around the clocking, engineering creative solutions to overcome carbon dioxide poisoning, dehydration and the freezing temperatures of deep space, to ensure the crew's survival. Using spectacular NASA footage, exclusive interviews with Apollo space scientists and stunning visual effects; this film explores the thirteen remarkable factors that brought the crew safely home, and the full story of the courage and ingenuity that cemented Apollo 13 as NASA's finest hour.

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