John Glenn's launch scene from "The Right Stuff."

[Tommy_Carcetti]

I was not alive when John Glenn first orbited the earth in 1962.

Instead, my first introduction to Glenn's historic flight was through the 1983 film The Right Stuff, which remains to this date one of my favorite movies of all time. It was one of the first times I remember being completely and totally captivated by a film's depiction of a historic event wherein which we all knew the outcome--the way the film portrays the flight, it's almost magical. I remember watching it and having a deep sense of regret that I wasn't born to experience watching the flight in person when it actually happened.

However, one thing I am glad....when Glenn took his shuttle flight in 1998 and became the oldest man to ever fly in space, I was able to witness that launch in person.

A true American icon. Godspeed!

[elleng]

1. Golly Gee,

there's something in my eye!

[razorman03038]

2. As I recall, this movie was released about the same time that John Glenn

was running for president. Some people complained that the film amounted to unfair campaigning, since it portrayed Glenn accurately as an American hero. Senator Glenn replied that after watching the movie, the person he would be most afraid of running against would be Chuck Yeager.

[Jeroen]

3. One of my favorites as well! Epic

[Rex]

4. Great movie.

Mars, the Bringer of War - a great song for this part of the movie.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. It also uses the Jupiter and Neptune themes.

And the movie's main theme is a variant of Tchaikovsky's violin concerto.

Not to mention the use of contemporary tunes like The Flamingo's "I Only Have Eyes for You."

And "Claire De Lune" in the fan dance scene at the end.

Great music, great movie.

[Rex]

6. One of my favorites, always causes a swell of emotions

but a lot of it is the soundtrack going along with the movie, like you said.

It is in my top 10 of all time.

[longship]

7. I have it DVD. Going to watch it this weekend.

Even as a lifelong atheist, I have to say, "God speed, John Glenn." That's the only appropriate expression today.

[longship]

8. I remember when Perth turned on all the lights.

That was a very cool thing.

R&K

"Godspeed, John Glenn." (The only appropriate words today, even by a lifelong atheist.)




Oops! Too many John Glenn threads. I'm getting them mixed up. No matter the dupe. Cannot celebrate his life too much.

[edbermac]

9. Actual flight tapes with footage and animated recreation.

Launch about 16 minutes in on #1