The tale of Neil Armstrong's historic first steps on the moon is well-known, but equally gripping is the near-tragic saga of three astronauts during America's third lunar mission.

The Apollo 13 mission in 1969, featuring Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise, was fraught with peril, a story brought to life in the 1995 blockbuster directed by Ron Howard and airing on ITV tonight.

Starring Tom Hanks as Lovell, Kevin Bacon as Swigert, and Bill Paxton as Haise, the film recounts the harrowing ordeal following an unexpected explosion in space, with NASA racing against time to ensure the safe return of the trio.

Upon its release, the film was a box office sensation, ranking as the third highest-grossing film of 1995, trailing only Die Hard With A Vengeance and Toy Story, which also featured Hanks.

Apollo 13 garnered critical acclaim, earning nine Academy Award nominations and winning two Oscars for Best Sound and Best Film Editing. It also scooped up five BAFTAs and four Golden Globes.

Critics were effusive in their praise, with the film boasting a stellar 94 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One reviewer hailed it as Ron Howard's "finest work", adding: "In his finest directorial work, Ron Howard embraces everything that the astronauts of Apollo 13 aspired to be and ended up as. Unforgettable."

Another viewer praised: "Director Ron Howard, who has built a career on easygoing, reassuring movies from Night Shift to The Paper, finally achieves true drama.", reports the Mirror.

A third said: "For Apollo 13, the 1970 space mission, everything went wrong. But for Apollo 13, the movie, everything goes right. Director Ron Howard, who has a history of blowing hot and cold, is so far into his hot mode in this movie that he's dang near on fire."

The film also garnered rave reviews from fans. One wrote: "A phenomenal epic odyssey of the daring odds of the Apollo 13 crew trying to return back home against all odds after their space shuttle malfunctions. The cast is great, with Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, and Ed Harris all giving great performances."

Another said: "Brilliant masterpiece! ! It's very gripping from start to finish!" While a third declared: "All-time classic. An American masterpiece."

Apollo 13 will be broadcast on ITV4 at 6.35pm on Boxing Day, December 26.

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