X-15 (1961)

Three air force pilots (Charles Bronson, Ralph Taeger, David McLean) do test runs on the X-15 rocket planes in anticipation for the first outer space flights. Directed by Richard Donner (THE OMEN) in his feature film directorial debut, this is an interesting mixture of documentary like space program propaganda circa early 60s with a generous dash of domestic soap opera tossed in for good measure. It's the kind of film Philip Kaufman brought to epic proportions in THE RIGHT STUFF but here, an engrossing little programmer. The film documents both the technical problems and malfunctions the space program had to deal with as well as the pressure and stress on both the pilots and their wives and girlfriends (Mary Tyler Moore, Patricia Owens, Lisabeth Hush). NASA assisted to make sure the technical aspects were accurate and the film incorporates a lot of stock footage provided by NASA. The film received positive reviews but it was ignored at the box office. With James Gregory, Kenneth Tobey, Brad Dexter and narration by James Stewart.