“Apollo 13” is a 1995 American historical drama film directed by Ron Howard. The film is based on the true story of NASA’s Apollo 13 mission, which was intended to land on the moon but faced a life-threatening crisis. The screenplay, written by William Broyles Jr. and Al Reinert, is adapted from the book “Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13” by astronaut Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger.

The film stars Tom Hanks as Jim Lovell, the mission commander, along with Kevin Bacon as Jack Swigert, and Bill Paxton as Fred Haise, the other two astronauts on the mission. The story begins with the crew preparing for their mission and their eventual launch into space. However, two days into the mission, an oxygen tank explodes, causing a critical failure of the spacecraft’s systems.

The film vividly portrays the intense and dramatic efforts of the astronauts to survive and return safely to Earth, as well as the tireless work of NASA’s ground control team, led by flight director Gene Kranz (played by Ed Harris), to bring the astronauts back home. The film captures the ingenuity, teamwork, and determination required to overcome the life-threatening challenges faced by the Apollo 13 crew.

“Apollo 13” is acclaimed for its technical accuracy, gripping narrative, and strong performances, particularly by Hanks, Bacon, Paxton, and Harris. The film’s realistic portrayal of space travel and crisis management, combined with its emotional depth, make it a compelling and inspiring story of human resilience and ingenuity.

The film was a commercial success and received numerous accolades, including nine Academy Award nominations, winning two for Best Film Editing and Best Sound. “Apollo 13” remains a powerful and enduring depiction of one of NASA’s most famous missions, highlighting the extraordinary efforts of both the astronauts and the team on the ground.