Star Men (2015)
Four exceptional astronomers celebrate 50 years of work and friendship on a return road trip in the southwestern United States, recapturing youthful adventures and recounting each other's influences on the most exciting period in astronomy’s history. Roger the instrument-maker, Donald the theoretician, Nick the visionary, and Wal the observer. Together they represent the most productive period astronomy has ever had. They helped build the world’s biggest observatories and made revolutionary discoveries about the evolving universe, discoveries that have the power to change the way humanity sees itself. Alison Rose’s film is a funny, insightful, humbling and intimate portrait of friendship, as the men reflect on how their profound work on the universe has reflected back on the individual, affecting their sense of religious faith, how life may have purpose, and what is knowable and unknowable.
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Strong and Moving!
Really Surprised!
A Brilliant Conflict
Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%
This is a wonderful idea for a documentary with true legends in the field of astronomy. Unfortunately it was made entirely unwatchable by a horrible narrator. The narrator's amateurish inflection reminded me of a pretentious elementary school teacher who thinks that what she is saying is far more important than it really is. If done correctly, this documentary could've been done with minimal narration, allowing the subjects to carry the narrative. In the end, the narrator was a most unwelcome distraction who ruined what should've been a very interesting documentary.
Not only is this film educational with very interesting facts about astronomy and astrophysics, it is truly inspirational teaching us numerous life lessons, such as: -Lifelong friendships -To never give up no matter what life throws at you to stop or slow you down (like "old age")-Following your dreams -That anything is possible if you truly want it bad enough and so on! I highly recommend anyone/everyone to watch this film!
This film is truly inspirational, because it shows that science can be for everyone to enjoy and appreciate, whatever your background. The views of the night sky and the scenery provide a spectacular background for all the anecdotes and interesting discussions that this film contains. So it is well worth watching!The film demonstrates that Roger Highfield of the Science Museum in London is right to say that science still needs its heroes and that we should not leave scientific discovery to "vast impersonal forces", as Sir Isiah Berlin would say. The movie shows that it takes individual effort, and hard work by groups of individuals who are living to their full potential, in order to really push further the envelope of scientific progress.Alison E. Rose, the Director, showed great vision in making this inspiring film about Nick Woolf, Roger Griffin, Donald Lynden-Bell and Wallace Sargent, because although veteran astronomers, their intellects remain as impressive as their list of scientific achievements.
This is such a wonderful and charming film - it had a profound effect on me.Following the reuniting of four exceptional but now elderly astronomers after many years, this documentary is a moving tale of old friendships and four very different but strong characters.Much, much more than a film about astronomers and their field of work, this is a film about perseverance, determination and mortality. It is incredibly thought-provoking, sad and funny throughout.Beautifully conceived and directed with some stunning photography. Highly recommended even for those with little interest in the science of astronomy.