In 1983, Philip Kaufman directed a unique film that encompassed the culture of America’s ambition to push the limits. The Right Stuff is a dramatic film that covers the historic events of the space race in the 1960’s. The film begins in a bar, where Chuck Yeager, a celebrated war veteran, steps through the door and approaches the bartender to order a drink. He overhears a conversation about test pilots attempting to break the sound barrier and, thirsty for glory, he signs himself up. The following day, he successfully “pushes the envelope” amazing the witnesses of the historic accomplishment. Fast forward a few years and America finds itself in a close race with Russia to send the first man up into space. After extensive experiments and testing,
…show more content…
Not only did the film stay true to the characters and their personalities, but it incorporated important dates that aligned perfectly with past events. For example, the film showed the date of May 15, 1963, which was the day in both the movie and the history books that Gordon Cooper was launched up into space (History.com 1). Also, Kaufman stayed true even through the smallest of details. One way this is exhibited is through Chuck Yeager and his habit of chewing gum while flying. The real Chuck Yeager admitted to this habit whenever he was piloting an airplane, showing how the movie stayed accurate down to every nuance (Old Time Candy 1). In fact, the movie even referenced Beemans brand, the same brand that Chuck Yeager used when he piloted airplanes. Also, the movie included real footage of President Kennedy presenting Alan Shepard the medal of honor himself along with other real footage clips. Finally, Philip Kaufman incorporated easter eggs into the movie, which gave viewers a direct visual of a historic figure. Although he played a very minor role, the real Chuck Yeager made an appearance in the film as a bartender. The award winning film, The Right Stuff, not only fascinated those who saw it, but also stayed historically accurate to the American grit of the seven original
Not only did the film stay true to the characters and their personalities, but it incorporated important dates that aligned perfectly with past events. For example, the film showed the date of May 15, 1963, which was the day in both the movie and the history books that Gordon Cooper was launched up into space (History.com 1). Also, Kaufman stayed true even through the smallest of details. One way this is exhibited is through Chuck Yeager and his habit of chewing gum while flying. The real Chuck Yeager admitted to this habit whenever he was piloting an airplane, showing how the movie stayed accurate down to every nuance (Old Time Candy 1). In fact, the movie even referenced Beemans brand, the same brand that Chuck Yeager used when he piloted airplanes. Also, the movie included real footage of President Kennedy presenting Alan Shepard the medal of honor himself along with other real footage clips. Finally, Philip Kaufman incorporated easter eggs into the movie, which gave viewers a direct visual of a historic figure. Although he played a very minor role, the real Chuck Yeager made an appearance in the film as a bartender. The award winning film, The Right Stuff, not only fascinated those who saw it, but also stayed historically accurate to the American grit of the seven original