Watch The Challenger Disaster

The Challenger Disaster is a 2019 drama movie that chronicles the events leading up to the fatal explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986. The film takes a deep dive into the human elements behind one of the most tragic days in the history of space exploration through the eyes of Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who was part of the Rogers Commission that investigated the disaster.

Eric Hanson delivers a powerful performance as Feynman, capturing the physicist's astute intellect and sharp wit as he grapples with the moral implications of uncovering the truth about the Challenger catastrophe. The movie opens with Feynman sitting at his desk, struggling to solve a complex physics equation while listening to a broadcast of the Challenger launch. He's visibly moved by the sight of the shuttle rising into the sky, but his elation turns to horror as he witnesses the explosion that instantly kills all seven crew members.

From there, the movie rewinds to several months before the launch, exploring the political and technical hurdles that NASA faced as it raced to launch the shuttle on schedule. Feynman becomes involved in the investigation at the behest of his physicist colleague, Freeman Dyson (played by Cameron Arnett), who worries that the Rogers Commission will turn into a whitewash led by powerful government officials who are keen on protecting NASA's image.

The movie skillfully interweaves multiple storylines, depicting the utter chaos and confusion that beset NASA as it contended with not only the technical glitches plaguing the shuttle but also the bureaucratic infighting and backroom deals that threatened to compromise the safety of the crew. We see Feynman grilling NASA officials in his characteristically blunt and irreverent way, exposing the flaws in their decision-making processes and forcing them to face the hard truths about their failures.

One of the most compelling aspects of The Challenger Disaster is the way it explores the human toll of the tragedy. We get glimpses of the lives and families of the doomed astronauts, from the heart-wrenching phone calls they make to their loved ones before the launch to the anguished reactions of their spouses and children as they watch the TV footage of the explosion. The film also delves into the mental and emotional toll the disaster takes on Feynman and his fellow investigators, who are nauseated by the bureaucratic gamesmanship they encounter and the knowledge that their findings may upend the careers of those involved.

The Challenger Disaster is a masterclass in tense, thought-provoking drama, filled with richly drawn characters and nuanced performances. While the outcome of the story is well-known, the movie manages to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, thanks to the deft direction of Nathan VonMinden, the evocative score by Matt Gates, and the remarkable attention to detail in the period-specific sets and costumes.

In conclusion, The Challenger Disaster is a haunting, poignant retelling of one of the most tragic events in space exploration history, and Eric Hanson's portrayal of Richard Feynman is a standout performance. The movie is a must-watch for anyone who is interested in the human side of science and engineering, and it serves as a powerful reminder of the price we sometimes pay in our quest for greatness.

The Challenger Disaster is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.