Critic Reviews
Right Stuff, The (1983) Rank 5 Reviews
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based on (33) reviews
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Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
At the beginning of "The Right Stuff," a cowboy reins in his horse and regards a strange sight in the middle of the desert: the X-1 rocket plane, built to break the sound barrier. At the ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
eFilmCritic.com (--)
It starts way back in 1947. The sound barrier at the time is the goal that many ambitious flyers want to break. One even dies in the attempt after his plane suffers severe turbulence. Then there's Charles Yeager (Sam Sheppard in a great performance), a ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at eFilmCritic.com (--)
Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)
It was the film that had everything going for it. It was three hours long, featured an outstanding cast of up-and-coming stars, great special effects, a great script, jaw-dropping cinematography, chest-thumping American patriotism, and just a little ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)
Slant Magazine (Nick Schager)
In this dynamic three-hour history lesson, the larger-than-life pursuits of timeless glory and technological advancement are inextricably allied with the day-to-day quests for familial stability and personal fulfillment. ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Slant Magazine (Nick Schager)
Slant Magazine (Nick Schager)
With the film occupying the first disc, all supplemental material is found on disc two. ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Slant Magazine (Nick Schager)
Sci-Fi Movie Page (James O'Ehley)
Another case of it's not science fiction but should be of interest to some sci-fi fans - or anyone else for that matter. ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Sci-Fi Movie Page (James O'Ehley)
Empire Magazine (--)
Philip Kaufman has had a strange career, encompassing revisionist Westerns (The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid), sci-fi horror (Invasion Of The Body Snatchers), potboiler thrillers (Rising Sun) and a few stabs at high-brow Euro-erotica (Henry And June, ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Empire Magazine (--)
IMDB.com
In one of critics' polls THE RIGHT STUFF was named as one among top 10 films made in 1980s. Such high position could be explained with the fact that Kaufman's film looks quite atypical for its time. With more than three hours of length and epic scope it ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at IMDB.com
TeachWithMovies.org (--)
The Right Stuff shows the recruitment, training, and space flights of the first U.S. astronauts. Although the specific dialogue and some minor events have been fictionalized, most incidents reported in the film occurred as shown. The movie is based on ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at TeachWithMovies.org (--)
IMDB.com
I had seen director Philip Kaufman's THE RIGHT STUFF years ago, but seeing it after having tried real astronaut training missions and simulators, it made his story of the United States space program more vivid than ever. This is a brilliant picture that ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at IMDB.com
VideoVista (--)
The true story of NASA's Mercury programme, this chronicle of America's pioneer spacemen is based on Tom Wolfe's bestseller, which characterised the early US astronauts as heroic trailblazers, depicted here as the most intensively trained but nonetheless ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at VideoVista (--)
filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)
Fortuitous time for The Right Stuff to hit DVD, when the American space program is nearing rock bottom in the court of public opinion.
Based on Tom Wolfe's novel (though heavily inspired by the truth), The Right Stuff follows the formative years of the ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at filmcritic.com (Christopher Null)
Time Out (--)
From the opening moments it is clear that we have the nearest modern equivalent to a Western: men of quiet virtue going skyward, leaving the tawdry world of log-rolling politicians behind. John Ford might have made it, and director Kaufman matches up to ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Time Out (--)
Raging Bull Movie Reviews (Mike Lorefice)
The Right Stuff is a very Americentric look at the Mercury 7 astronauts, the pioneers of the countries space program. It is a feel good movie, at times reeking of patriotism, that captures the spirit of the brave test pilots who risked their lives for ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Raging Bull Movie Reviews (Mike Lorefice)
LeisureSuit.net (--)
John Glenn, played by Ed Harris (Glengarry Glen Ross, The Truman Show): the prude of the bunch. An all-American, and God bless him, a Democratic. He forewent the carnal perks of celebrity, remaining faithful to his cute stuttering wife, and karma ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at LeisureSuit.net (--)
Reverse Shot (--)
Beginning with Chuck Yeager's breaking of the sound barrier in 1947 and concluding with Gordo Cooper's orbital space flight in 1963, The Right Stuff recounts the remarkable advances in air and space travel over 16 crucial years. ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Reverse Shot (--)
Hollywood Reporter (--)
On paper, it seemed a publicist's dream. Ed Harris, a star of the upcoming film "The Right Stuff," was on the cover of Newsweek under the headline: "Can a Movie Help Make a President?"
The photo played up Harris' remarkable resemblance to John Glenn, ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Hollywood Reporter (--)
Flick Filosopher (MaryAnn Johanson)
Rarely has such an epic film -- in length, at more than three hours, and in scope, spanning decades -- been handled with such remarkable spareness. ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Flick Filosopher (MaryAnn Johanson)
New York Times (Vincent Canby)
''THE RIGHT STUFF,'' Philip Kaufman's rousing, funny screen adaptation of Tom Wolfe's book about Project Mercury and America's first astronauts, is probably the brightest and the best rookie/cadet movie ever made, though the rookies and cadets are ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at New York Times (Vincent Canby)
Crazy for Cinema (Lisa Skrzyniarz)
I can't say that I'm a big fan of the space exploration drama, though I have found a new respect for astronauts after watching APOLLO 13 and the HBO miniseries FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON, which gives an amazingly well-rounded view of the NASA program. ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Crazy for Cinema (Lisa Skrzyniarz)
Movie Reviews UK
A stirring elegy to those who perished in the headlong rush to win the "Space Race", The Right Stuff reveals the human side of these feted heroes. Somewhere in a remote, high desert a small crowd apprehensively waits as one of their number, a test ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Movie Reviews UK
Friday and Saturday Night (--)
Hack producer Jerry Bruckheimer ("The Rock," "Bad Boys II") had absolutely nothing to do with the making of "The Right Stuff. ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Friday and Saturday Night (--)
TV Guide Entertainment Network, Movie Guide
Funny, trenchant account, based on Tom Wolfe's book, of the dawn of the space age, seen as both a shameless piece of media mythmaking, and as an act of genuine courage on the part of the first astronauts. The movie spans about 15 years, beginning with ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at TV Guide Entertainment Network, Movie Guide
Movies for Guys
It's also a great movie to have on hand when you want to watch some rockets ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Movies for Guys
Apollo Guide (Brian Webster)
The Right Stuff succeeds because it melds together two different types of movie, and it does this so very well. ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Apollo Guide (Brian Webster)
SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review
The Right Stuff is based on Tom Wolfe's 1979 warts-and-all non-fiction recount of the US space program, which originally began as an article in Rolling Stone magazine. The film was made by Philip Kaufman, an independent director who had risen ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at SF, Horror and Fantasy Film Review
Spirituality and Practice (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
A winning and well-acted portrait of America's entry into the Space Age that is awesome, funny, surreal and right on the mark in its depiction of the country's insatiable hunger for new frontiers. ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Spirituality and Practice (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
Harvey's Movie Review (Harvey O'Brien)
After their foray into the realms of speculative science fiction with Blade Runner, The Ladd Company have thrown their weight behind director Philip Kaufman's ambitious adaptation of Tom Wolfe's 'faction' novel charting the early years of the American spa ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Harvey's Movie Review (Harvey O'Brien)
DVDActive (Holly E. Ordway)
Overall, this is an adequate treatment of a very enjoyable movie. It's a complex and satisfying look at a fascinating period in recent history, with good acting and overall good production values; if you're interested in the space program at ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at DVDActive (Holly E. Ordway)
UpcomingDiscs.com (Gino Sassani)
Converting Tom Wolfe's classic book The Right Stuff was undoubtedly a difficult task. The original 7 Mercury astronauts were epic figures in American history. Perhaps the last of Earth's true explorers, astronauts are the stuff that every kid's ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at UpcomingDiscs.com (Gino Sassani)
TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)
Funny, trenchant account, based on Tom Wolfe's book, of the dawn of the space age, seen as both a shameless piece of media mythmaking, and as an act of genuine courage on the part of the first astronauts. The movie spans about 15 years, beginning with ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at TV Guide's Movie Guide (--)
Netflix (James Rocchi)
Director Philip Kaufman and a stellar cast (including Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn and Ed Harris) chronicle the transition from breaking the sound barrier in 1947 to the Mercury astronauts of the 1960s. ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Netflix (James Rocchi)
Film Values/Family Values (H. Arthur Taussig)
It shows the pressures and joys experienced by American space pioneers. Kids used to action and special effects may be a bit put off by three-hour length and slow pace. ...read the complete Right Stuff movie review at Film Values/Family Values (H. Arthur Taussig)
User Reviews
by magellan on December 02, 2009
At over 160 reviews and counting, I'm not sure I can add anything new about the move, but I did want to make a few comments. ...
by Robert Mullins "M... on September 17, 2009
I had not watched this film in quite a few years, it was well worth the purchase of this special edition. Besides enjoying the film again, there are plenty of extras, including interviews with various people associated with the film.
While the film ...
by Gary Kitchen on September 14, 2009
Product was shipped/arrived just as expected, in perfect condition. And what a great price for this terrific 2-disc set! Much more everywhere else I saw it. Would definitely recommend to anyone to get it from ...
by At Home Dad on August 04, 2009
I bought the two-disc Special Edition for $9.99 on Amazon. A Blu-ray version wasn't available at the time, so I figured I would go with the $10 regular format DVD.
First thing was I had problems playing it on my regular DVD player. No scratches on ...
by D. J. Nardi "Turt... on July 22, 2009
This movie came out the year after I was born, but has worn incredibly well over the years. It focuses on the origins of the U.S. manned space program, particularly ...
by michael bragg on July 21, 2009
I saw this movie when it came out and read the book also. The book is a great story of the triumph of American engineering and courage in the story of Chuck Yeager, the Bell X-1, the Mercury 7 and NASA. However some of the reviewers are wrong about ...
by D. F. Hillesheim ... on July 17, 2009
Thoroughly enjoyed this film. Though fictional portrayal,it is reasonably accurate. More Importantly it helps you feel what these people went through. ...
by Jessie Lofland "c... on June 23, 2009
My husband and I both love this movie. It captures the spirit of all America during the 60's when space travel was brand new. The movie is entertaining and features some great actors, many of whom were not very well known when this was filmed. Sam ...
by V. Tasiemski on March 23, 2009
I ordered the movie The Right Stuff and I got the Right stuff at a good price. I'm satisfied. ...
by Brian Keltner on February 06, 2009
First, let's be clear: 'The Right Stuff' is at the top of the ol' pyramid of movies made about the true story of humans in space. Better than Apollo 13 by far. It's also one of the greatest movies ever made, period. A true modern epic. The cast is ...
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