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Mercury 13 is a remarkable story of the women who were tested for spaceflight in 1961 before their dreams were dashed in being the first to make the trip beyond Earth. NASA's 'man in space' program, dubbed 'Project Mercury' began in 1958. The men chosen - all military test pilots - became known as The Mercury 7. But away from the glare of the media, behind firmly closed doors, female pilots were also screened. Thirteen of them passed and, in some cases, performed better than the men. They were called the Mercury 13 and had the 'right stuff' but were, unfortunately, the wrong gender. Underneath the obsession of the space race that gripped America, the women were aviation pioneers who emerged thirsty for a new frontier, but whose time would have to wait. The film tells the definitive story of thirteen truly remarkable women who reached for the stars but were ahead of their time. A Netflix original documentary directed by David Sington (The Fear of 13) and Heather Walsh.
Rating
NR
Director
David Sington, Heather Walsh
Studio
Netflix
- Not as compelling as Hidden Figures, only because these women were literally shooting for the moon. Regardless it's important and interesting to learn about how the US got literally 15 years behind the Russians when it comes to women in space. THe film spares no punches when it comes to putting the blame squarely on NASA and the "boys club" that persists perhaps to this day.Reply
- Wow! Fantastic flight cinematography and some incredible historic space film archive. Oh I do hope Mars will have a woman set foot on its surface!!Reply
- In a time with movements such as Time's Up, more stories like this must be told. Let's keep it up!Reply
- Desire has not always equaled power, and this documentary makes it as clear as the light of the moon. [Full review in Spanish]Reply
- Mercury 13 shares how 13 women were denied an opportunity that could have changed American society for decades afterward, and their story needs to be known.Reply
- A splendid documentary about the little known female pilots tested for spaceflight in 1961.Reply
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- Whilst it breaks no new ground in terms of documentary film-making, the story and interviewees are strong enough to engage throughout.Reply
- The film from David Sington and Heather Walsh is a captivating experience ripe with sobering details.Reply
- They didn't get the chance to take a step on the moon, but they still made a giant leap for womankind - and it's about time their names were known.Reply
- An essential documentary look at yet another example of historical feminism that should never have been forgotten: the first American in space might have and probably should have been a woman.Reply
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- Honestly, if this film doesn't grab you by the heart, check your pulse to make sure you still have one.Reply
- The film is completely anecdotal, which results in a film that's often more of a human-interest piece than a deep history lesson.Reply
- This is the sort of film that begins modestly-seemingly only a piece of curious history-and grows steadily deeper as it moves to its climax, and that climax is a powerful one.Reply