Countdown (1968)

Racing to beat the Russians to become the first nation to put a man on the moon, NASA officials step up the mission's timetable. But all the intense training takes its physical and mental toll on the astronaut (James Caan) elected to become the first man on the moon. Based on the novel THE PILGRIM PROJECT by Hank Searls (THE CROWDED SKY) and directed by Robert Altman. Before there was THE RIGHT STUFF and APOLLO 13, there was COUNTDOWN. Dated by contemporary standards, it's a rather lackluster look at the space program and space race. The film bears little resemblance to Altman's later more distinctive style but the direction is solid. I just wish the script wasn't so pedestrian. Altman seems intent on questioning the value of getting a man on the moon versus its toll on human life. The film's conclusion is never in doubt so the film has no suspense and the traditional ending seems awkward in the face of all that preceded it. Caan and Robert Duvall are suitably antagonistic as the somewhat irresponsible astronaut and his mentor and the undervalued Joanna Moore bring more to the negligible "wife" role than is written while Barbara Baxley's wife is either underwritten or more likely, her scenes ended on the cutting room floor. Leonard Rosenman's dull score seems comprised of bits and pieces of his prior film scores. With Michael Murphy, Charles Aidman, Steve Ihnat and Ted Knight.