From the Earth to the Moon (Tom Hanks HBO Signature Edition) - Region 2 DVD

NASA's complete participation in the production lends to its total authenticity, right down to the use of NASA equipment, launch locations and even spacecraft. The re-creation of the lunar landscape is almost as impressive as the real thing and is further enhanced by the use of helium balloons to lighten the actors playing moon-walking astronauts. With a fictional, Walter Cronkite-like TV reporter (Lane Smith) serving as the dramatic link for all 12 episodes, this ambitious production may not be a great work of art. But as a generous and definitive example of non-fiction drama, it's full of the same kind of awe, inspiration and humanity that led to "one giant leap" in the all-too-short history of 20th-century space exploration. --Jeff Shannon