- Actors: Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, James Garner, James Cromwell
- Directors: Clint Eastwood
- Writers: Howard Klausner, Ken Kaufman
- Producers: Clint Eastwood, Andrew Lazar, Tom Rooker
- Language English
- Classification: PG
- Studio: Warner
- VHS Release Date: 1 Oct 2001
- Run Time: 130 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005A49C
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 12,742 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
Product details |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Space Cowboys is a slice of cornball Americana that's so much fun you'll be tempted to stand up and salute. Director and co-star Clint Eastwood manages to turn what might have been ludicrous into a jubilant tribute to age and experience, and Space Cowboys succeeds as two movies in one--a comedy about retired pilots given one last shot at glory and an Apollo 13-like thriller with all the requisite heroics. With a dream cast of Hollywood vets playing old farts described in tabloids as "The Ripe Stuff", the movie jumps from a 1958 prologue (establishing their lost bid for space travel) to 40-plus years later, when the retired Air Force aces (Eastwood, James Garner, Donald Sutherland, Tommy Lee Jones) volunteer to rescue a falling Russian satellite that only Eastwood's character can repair.
It turns out that Russkie bird is a Cold War leftover equipped with live nuclear warheads, and the movie revs up to a rousing climax in which our heroes prove their mettle. But first the comedy: watching these codgers struggle to pass NASA's physical tests is a total hoot, with running gags about wrinkles, dentures, and oysters for sagging libidos. (Sutherland is the scene-stealer, but they're all having a blast.) Once in space, the movie gets down to business, and the visual-effects wizards at Industrial Light and Magic provide stunning vistas from Earth's orbit; a shot looking down at the boot of Italy is particularly beautiful. A sub-plot involving a weasely NASA administrator (James Cromwell) is rather perfunctory, but it hardly matters. Space Cowboys earns its wings, once again demonstrating Eastwood's comfort with any genre he chooses. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
On the DVD: Even though it boasts no sub-title like "Special Edition," this DVD has some of the nicest extras you'll want to see. There's nearly an hour of behind-the-footage material, all of it superior made-for-cable featurettes so often included on DVDs. The technicians divulge little tricks of the trade, revealing more computer effects in the film than you think. Longtime Eastwood editor Joel Cox provides insight into the director's work routine. The highlight, though, is an extended version of the four principle's appearance on The Tonight Show with Leno providing some interesting comments on how he chooses what films will "appear" on his show. --Doug Thomas, Amazon.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Although many people laughed at Amargeddon when the producers felt that they shouldn't have done- Space Cowboys arrives and has a good laugh at itself and the one thing Hollywood discriminates against: AGE.
Clint Eastwood plays Frank Crovin, an Air Force test pilot whose claim to fame is that he was replaced by a chimp! So he never made his dream debut on the moon. Forty years on- Houston has a problem and yes, you guessed it, they call upon Frank and his original crew (Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and James Garner) to help out.
Where this film succeeds in in its sheer ability to constantly take the mickey out of its concept. The geriatric jokes are good natured and often poignant as are the performances. And watching the fantastic four enter NASA headquarters dressed in leather jackets and wearing shades and strutting is worth the buying this video for alone. Yeah the premise is hokey and corny but Space Cowboys doesn't pretend to be rocket science, but it certainly splits the cinematic comedy atom. I was laughing throughout most of it.
Eastwood directs as well as stars and gives the film a steady pace and manages to coaxe fully rounded peformances from his co-stars. He also looks a great deal younger than his 71 years.
If you want to see a once in a lifetime cast take on the young 'uns with style, panache and gentle humour then you'll be over the moon with Space Cowboys. If the premise does not appeal then see Scary Movie instead and
weep!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
this film is just fantastic.it will make you laugh,cry,imagine and inspire you to do things you haven't done to your life.that's why,it's really recommended for young and old.i just love watching the film even how many times!And love is in there!young or old!!!
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Clint Eastwood and James Gardner were stars back in the 50's telly with RAWHIDE and MAVERICK, and later many other vehicles. Donald Sutherland and Tommy Lee Jones made a big splash in the 70's, and have gone on to prove they are some of the best actors around today. But all are showing a little wear and tear on the leading man image, but they clearly demonstrate they are spark as tacks and still the best.
They are ageing ex-astronauts that never made it into space - a thorn in their sides. Eastwood went on to design guidance systems for the space platform. One of the communication satellite that used his system is decaying and, unfortunately, none of today's hotshots know how to fix it. So the old space cowboys get a second crack to make it into space.
All four leads give warm, funny and outstanding performances, backed by powerhouse William Devane and James Hampton.
You just cannot miss these old cowboys showing they still have the right stuff!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
suspend your critical faculties then enjoy!
I started watching this film with some reservations; I love watching anything to do with space travel, especially the Space Shuttle and Apollo missions, but found the idea of a... Read more
Published 6 months ago by David B
there's life in the old dog
arrived in very quick time well packaged the premise maybe a little out there the acting is great the cinematography is superb james cromwell's character should be thrown out of an... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Michael A. Young
I can't fill up a space shuttle with geriatrics!
Space Cowboys is directed by Clint Eastwood and jointly written by Ken Kaufman and Howard Klausner. It sees Eastwood co-star with Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, James Garner,... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Spike Owen
Top performance from an excellent cast
This film is a real hidden gem with a cast which are simply outstanding. It would be wrong to single out any of the "boys" for praise above the others as all four performaces are... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Bruce
HOUSTON - WHERE DID I PUT MY GLASSES
This is a big favourite of mine , I find that the cast work so well together and the story is fun.
I don't know what it is about it but I think its the fact that they... Read more
I don't know what it is about it but I think its the fact that they... Read more
Published 14 months ago by VasIsDas
A very respectable conversion to Blu-ray, both in video and sound!
I missed this film when it was released and watched it for the first time on Blu-Ray last night. I was very pleasantly surprised! This is a very enjoyable 'feel good' movie. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Nigel Mc
limp entry
Considering the star talent on offer, I expected a bit more from this movie - but after about 40 minutes I found that as well as being predictable the film was low on laughs and... Read more
Published 20 months ago by westernbuff
"Old F-rts" are coming to save the world - in their own words.
No illusions, BUT when the cast is built by giants even if wrinkly ones you know the result will be worth the popcorn. Read more
Published on 11 April 2010 by Blackmale
One my favorite films
I love science films, specially realistic ones. This film is all real and fun played by four of the best elder actors in the business. Read more
Published on 10 Jun 2009 by Michael M. Ordoukhani
Clint and the boys having a ball.
This rollicking piece of fun will make any mathematician wince. The celestial mechanics are entirely original,"Get halfway to the Moon and gravity will do the rest." Oh my! Read more
Published on 28 May 2009 by John Barrett Rose
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