Susan Ward Movie:

Editorial Review:
Philip Kaufman's intimate epic about the Mercury astronauts (based on Tom Wolfe's book) was one of the most ambitious and spectacularly exciting movies of the 1980s. It surprised almost everybody by not becoming a smash hit. By all rights, the film should have been every bit the success that Apollo 13 would later become; The Right Stuff is not only just as thrilling, but it is also a bigger and better movie. Combining history (both established and revisionist), grand mythmaking (and myth puncturing), adventure, melodrama, behind-the-scenes dish, spectacular visuals, and a down-to-earth sense of humor, The Right Stuff chronicles NASA's efforts to put a man in orbit. Such an achievement would be the first step toward President Kennedy's goal of reaching the moon, and, perhaps most important of all, would win a crucial public relations/morale victory over the Soviets, who had delivered a stunning blow to American pride by launching Sputnik, the first satellite. The movie contrasts the daring feats of the unsung test pilots--one of whom, Chuck Yeager, embodied more than anyone else the skill and spirit of Wolfe's title--against the heavily publicized (and sanitized) accomplishments of the Mercury astronauts. Through no fault of their own, the spacemen became prisoners of the heroic images the government created for them in order to capture the public's imagination. The casting is inspired; the film features Sam Shepard as the legendary Yeager, Ed Harris as John Glenn, Dennis Quaid as "Gordo" Cooper, Scott Glenn as Alan Shepard, Fred Ward as Gus Grissom, Scott Wilson as Scott Crossfield, and Pamela Reed and Veronica Cartwright are superb in their thankless roles as astronauts' wives. --Jim Emerson

The Right Stuff [Region 2] Reviews:
The Right Stuff
2009-01-06 - This is one of all-time favorite movies. It arrived as promised. I give it an "A."

Absolutely Epic
2008-12-13 - I can say little more to praise this film than has been said before. It was the sort of product to which modern film-makers should aspire. A grand epic made more fantastic by the fact that its true. Well written, masterfully portrayed, and beautifully scored, this is a must have for any true videophile.

Poor Packaging
2008-09-13 - I've had this movie on VHS for years and decided I would like to have a DVD version. The movie is outstanding and will always be a classic. However, this DVD lacks in quality of packaging. They have recorded both sides of one DVD rather than making it a 2-DVD version. The case is the cheapest kind you can find. I saw this package in the Walmart 2/$10 bin one time and didn't buy it because it was so cheaply packaged. I would recommend the 2-DVD version sold by Amazon, even if it is more expensive.

Really the Right Stuff....
2008-08-18 - This is one of those movies that provides such valuable prospective, that even 25, 30 years after the movie was released, it still stands as one those movies you not only remember, you find you reference and watch over and over again. Read the book first, and then watch the movie, as certain references make more sense, but if you love learning about America's entry into the space race, and still more the Mercury Program, this is for you. It should be noted here that it is not just about the space program, but also about the Air Force, and Chuck Yeager, who broke multiple records while flying for the Air Force. There is SO much more I could say, but seeing the movie (and reading the book by Tom Wolfe) are the biggest things I could say. The cast is beyond anything you could create today: Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid, Barbara Hershey, Jeff Goldblum, Sam Shepard, Lance Henriksen, I could go on. Watch it, but plan on buying it. Enjoy!!

great movie!
2008-07-10 - This is a movie about pioneers and explorers in our time. The story really lets you see how it must have all looked and felt in the eyes - and hearts - of the American men who first reached the stars. It all really came alive for me in this movie. I watch it over and over!