I Aim at the Stars

As a member of the National Association of Rocketry (hobby group). I enjoyed this movie's historical footage for its value to the scale modeler (model rockets that fly). It also tries to capture some of the internal struggle within the man. With working with the military while fostering his dreams of manned flight after the War.

For a more un-laundered perspective seek out _Man/Moment/Machine_ and the von Braun episode concerning the V-2 on the History Channel.

The only time I've seen this movie on television was about ten years ago on the _Super Station_ (WTBS). I don't recall if his rank as a Colonel in the S/S was indicated in this film. Enjoy it for what it is. A glorification of one of the most important persons responsible in our beating the _Russkies_ in getting to the Moon first.

First off, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf did NOT "collaborate" with the Nazi party, as claimed by blanche-2 ... she kept her politics entirely separate from her art, and although pressured to join the party by her father, never actively supported it, unless singing is a crime. Also, there are not "many other films" on von Braun (other than documentaries.) Sorry, blanche-2, another error.

Well-acted and entertaining and generally historically interesting. The German military officials are all played well, and the character actors do their jobs solidly. This film badly needs a DVD blu-ray remaster.

IMO, the film accurately captures the drive of some men of science who pretend they are 'pure' and above politics and claim they are not responsible of how their discoveries are used. Oppenheimer and a couple of others tried to disavow their responsibility, to their discredit.

Special mention about the great deceased Herbert Lom, who brought class and talent to anything he was in.

This movie describes the life of Wernher Von Braun very well. It also gives relevant historical background on man's early forays into space. It is a good movie for anyone who is interested in the development of the science of rocketry because this man was highly instrumental in developing the Saturn V booster which took man to the moon in the late 1960s. I have been trying to find a VHS version of this movie without success so if anyone knows of where I might obtain it your suggestions would be appreciated.

This movie starts with the younger years of von Braun's life when he was experimenting with rockets and propulsion.

The film shows the March 1944 arrest of von Braun by the Gestapo. The alleged crime was that Von Braun had declared his main interest in developing the V-2 was for space travel, not as a weapon. Also, since von Braun was a pilot, it was suggested that he was planning to escape with V-2 secrets to the Allies.

After a recording of von Braun referring to Adolf Hitler in an insulting manner is heard, the scientist is told he will be executed, but through Dornberger's influence, Hitler becomes convinced that von Braun's intellect puts him in a class of people too important to be executed.

After surrendering to the Americans, Von Braun refuses to consider himself a war criminal, but Maj. William Taggert, a former newspaperman whose wife and baby were killed in a London bombing raid, argues that because von Braun "invented an infernal device used to support an iniquitous regime," he was a war criminal.

Wernher von Braun was responsible for the space age becoming a reality in the 20th century. Von Braun was named by Life magazine as one of the "100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century," touting him as the man who "launched the greatest adventure of all, a journey to the Moon".

This interesting film includes some of von Braun's strongest critics but is balanced with von Braun's contributions to the American space program. The film ends in 1958, however von Braun when on to design the Saturn V moon rocket that put a man on the moon (the Saturn V still remains the most powerful rocket ever built, and it never had a critical failure).

Anyone interested in space travel will enjoy this movie.

This very interesting biopic of Werner von Braun was unfortunately badly received at the time of its release. Americans weren't happy when the brilliant scientist found sanctuary and a new home in America after WWII, and they weren't happy that Hollywood made a movie about him without making him out to be a villain. In fact, in England, rioters cruelly scribbled on promotional posters, "I Aim at the Stars, but Sometimes I Hit London." If you know the life story of von Braun, chances are you followed the space race and will be very anxious to rent this movie. If you're not interested in space at all, you might need a little more to the story - and thankfully, it has more. Friendship conflicts, betrayal, romance that makes you wait, secrets, rebellion, and all under the cloud of Nazi Germany. It really is an interesting story, and with Curd Jurgens at the helm, you can rest assured you're going to see some fine acting. It's not his usual character, since he usually played either soldiers or ladies' men. He's a scientist who thinks of rockets and the stars more than anything - including politics and women. He may have strength, but he puts his usual swagger on the shelf and embodies a different role; after all, that's called acting.

Herbert Lom is also very good, playing Curd's friend and colleague with a different idea of patriotism. There are a couple of women in the cast, even though they're not the focus: Victoria Shaw and Gia Scala, as their love interests. James Daly plays a good villain, making you grit your teeth and root for Curd all the more. I enjoyed this movie, and I'm not interested in space in the slightest!