Space

The series was actually filmed in many locations including Chestertown, Maryland which was transformed into the town of Clay. While filming in Chestertown was proceeding, a second unit filming in Huntsville, Alabama fell behind schedule. One scene the second unit was supposed to film was the swearing in of the WWII German rocket scientists. It was decided to use the old Chestertown Courthouse for the scene.

Like most folks around Chestertown I had grown accustomed to watching Harry Hamlin and Blair Brown play their roles of young sweethearts. I was in my 20's and training for a triathlon that summer and often road my bike through Chestertown. One day I was detoured down a narrow back alley because filming was occurring on Main Street. I was tearing down the sidewalk because the narrow street was filled with actor's trailers. Suddenly a lanky figure in a baggy Edwardian suite came bounding out of trailer and I had to slam on the breaks and nearly lay my bike down to avoid hitting him. It was Bruce Dern! I followed him and watched as he and Michael York took the oath of citizenship from the Mayor of Chestertown, Elmer Horsey!

Based on the James Michener novel of the same name this mini series which originally aired on CBS tells the tale of Americas space program through fictional characters. Beginning with German Rocket scientists who choose to go to the Americans side after the war up to the manned lunar landings. The politics, money making business, careers and romances of those who made up the space program are covered.

The original broadcast was the best version. It has been rebroadcast a few times since but has always been edited in some form or another. A little heavy at times on the soap opera romance bit but still a good mini series. Don't miss reading the novel by Michener.

Exciting mini-series about the US space program

During the Christmas season of 1987, this American series about the history of space travel from the end of the Second World War, through the great UFO scare to the moon landing, was broadcast on one of the West German private channels. The US premiere took place in April 1985 on CBS. The basis was the novel SPACE by bestselling author James A. MICHENER, which was published in 1982. In addition to the technical development, it was of course also about intrigue and love confusion - in the style of a soap opera.

The great cast included stars like James GARNER (as Senator Norman Grant), Beau BRIDGES (as the astronaut), Bruce DERN and Martin BALSAM. Blair BROWN, Harry HAMLIN and David DUKES were there as hot young stars.

And since the space program relied on the expertise of German scientists who had previously worked for the Nazi regime, there was also a storyline with characters of German descent.

CABARET (1972) star Michael York (two years later also as Abby Ewing's former childhood love in KNOTS LANDING) and the German actress Barbara SUKOWA (LOLA / THE LEAD TIME) played the German couple Dieter and Liesel Kolff, who had a decisive influence on the should get moon landing.

To my knowledge, this was Barbara SUKOWA's first appearance in an American production. A year later, the actress would be awarded the Silver Palm at the Cannes Film Festival for her role as ROSA LUXEMBOURG.

Interesting series that I really enjoyed watching back then. Recommended!

This is an excellent mini-series with lots of stars and a great story line. If you liked Right Stuff, Apollo 13, Space Camp then this is for you. Lots of sub plots to keep it interesting. Definitely worth watching if you can find it.

I saw this movie in 1988 and I found it to be a very entertaining history on early space travel. It ranks up there with The Right Stuff and Apollo 13. The acting was great, and the story progressed at a good clip. If you find this on Cable TV someday, watch it. You won't be disappointed.