The Right Stuff (1983)

Film and Plot Synopsis

In the middle of the 20th Century, America pondered its future—and looked to the skies. Based on Tom Wolfe’s book, The Right Stuff is the tale of how that future began, a thrilling epic of intrepid test pilot Chuck Yeager and the seven pioneering astronauts of the Project Mercury space program. Nominated for eight Academy Awards, including “Best Picture,” Philip Kaufman scripts and directs, pushing the envelope with a filmmaking bravado that matches this soaring story of training and heroism; and of sudden fame for which there is no training. (Courtesy of Warner Bros.)

‘The Right Stuff’ Movie Summary

“The Right Stuff” is the story of the early days of the NASA space program and the space race against the Russians. Based on the Tom Wolfe novel of the same name, the film centers around both the Mercury astronauts who were part of the original space program, as well as Chuck Yeager – the legendary pilot who broke the sound barrier.

With an exceptional cast consisting of Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, Fred Ward, and Dennis Quaid, “The Right Stuff” captures all the ups and downs of the space program – from the failures of letting the Russians beat us into space to the success of Alan Shepard being the first American in space. It also tells how those original pilots, such as Yeager, were left behind as more and more people got caught up in the space program and forgot about the test pilots who helped lay the foundation.

Director Philip Kaufman strikes a perfect balance of showing the excitement and camaraderie of the astronauts going through training and testing, as well as the stress and toll it took on their family lives, and most importantly, their wives.

“The Right Stuff” is a great throwback movie made in the tradition of many better ’80s films – and even though it’s three hours long, great acting and a solid story keep it moving forward. And along the lines of that great casting, Patrick will notice that I did not mention Barbara Hershey – you’re welcome!

And that is “The Right Stuff”!