Challenger (1990 film)

{{Infobox television

| image = Challengerdvd.gif

| image_size =

| image_alt =

| caption = DVD release cover

| genre = Disaster
docudrama

| creator =

| based_on =

| writer = George Englund

| screenplay =

| story =

| director = Glenn Jordan{{cite news |last=O'Connor|first=John J.|date=February 25, 1990|title=TO VIEW; ARROGANCE IN THE NAME OF LIFTOFF?|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/25/arts/to-view-arrogance-in-the-name-of-liftoff.html|work=The New York Times}}

| starring = Karen Allen
Barry Bostwick
Richard Jenkins
Joe Morton
Keone Young
Brian Kerwin
Julie Fulton
Kale Browne
Kristin Bond
Angela Bassett

| narrated =

| location = Houston, Texas{{cite web |url=https://karenallen-actor-director.com/actor/television/|title=Challenger – Karen as astronaut and teacher, Christa McAuliffe, Houston, Texas 1989|last= |first= |date= |website=homepage - Karen Allen - Actor/Director|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}

| composer = David E. Kole

| country = United States

| language = English

| num_episodes =

| producer = George Englund{{cite news |last=Hill|first=Michael E.|date=February 25, 1990|title=THE CHALLENGER DISASTER|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/tv/1990/02/25/the-challenger-disaster/c9036a31-0ad5-4d33-aaeb-2072bf57fc8f/|newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite news |last=Suro|first=Robert|date=February 18, 1990|title=TELEVISION; 'Challenger' Looks At the Human Side Of the Disaster|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/18/arts/television-challenger-looks-at-the-human-side-of-the-disaster.html|work=The New York Times}}{{cite news |last=Walker|first=Joseph|date=February 25, 1990|title=CHALLENGER: CONTROVERSY ENGULFS LATEST DOCUDRAMA|url=https://www.deseret.com/1990/2/25/18848680/challenger-controversy-engulfs-latest-docudrama|work=Deseret News}}
Courtney Pledger
Debbie Robins{{cite web |url=http://www.tvtango.com/movie/challenger|title=Challenger|last= |first= |date= |website=TVTango.com|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}

| editor = Paul Rubell

| cinematography = Newton Thomas Sigel

| runtime = 135 minutes

| company = King Phoenix Entertainment
The IndieProd Company

| budget =

| network = ABC{{cite news |last=Rosenberg|first=Howard|date=February 24, 1990|title='Challenger': The Wrong Story Got Filmed|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-24-ca-1077-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite news |last=Kogan|first=Rich|date=February 23, 1990|title=ABC'S 'CHALLENGER' IS ANOTHER DISASTER|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-02-23-9001160741-story.html|work=Chicago Tribune}}

| released = {{Start date|1990|02|25}}{{cite web |url=http://www.tvtango.com/listings?filters%5Bdate%5D%5Bmonth%5D=2&filters%5Bdate%5D%5Bday%5D=25&filters%5Bdate%5D%5Byear%5D=1990&commit.x=20&commit.y=18|title=February 25, 1990 - Sunday|last= |first= |date= |website=TVTango.com|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}

}}

Challenger is a 1990 American disaster drama television film based on the events surrounding the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. Its production was somewhat controversial{{cite news |last=Dawson|first=Greg|date=February 25, 1990|title='CHALLENGER': PAINFUL BUT MOSTLY WELL-DONE|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1990-02-25-9002232935-story,amp.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602212321/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:f5TGVimr2P0J:https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1990-02-25-9002232935-story,amp.html+&cd=26&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 2, 2021|work=Orlando Sentinel|location= |access-date=}} as the families{{cite news |last=Dawson|first=Greg|date=February 24, 1990|title=NETWORK, FAMILIES AT ODDS|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1990-02-24-9002242959-story.html|work=Orlando Sentinel}}{{cite news |last=Schlangenstein|first=Mary|date=February 23, 1990|title=Wives angered by Challenger movie|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/02/23/Wives-angered-by-Challenger-movie/3320635749200/|work=UPI}} of the astronauts generally objected to it.{{cite web |url=https://saleintothe90s.tumblr.com/post/190209112024/403-challenger-made-for-tv-movie-february-25|title=403. "Challenger" made for TV movie (February 25, 1990)|website=Sale into the 90s|date=January 2020 }}{{cite news |last=Jicha|first=Tom|date=February 25, 1990|title=McAuliffe Family Criticizes Movie on Challenger Disaster With AM-Space Shuttle|url=https://apnews.com/ddac43a8902b7a6694ae3f172376ce35|work=AP News}}{{cite news |last=O'Connor|first=John J.|date=February 25, 1990|title=TO VIEW; ARROGANCE IN THE NAME OF LIFTOFF?|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/25/arts/to-view-arrogance-in-the-name-of-liftoff.html|work=The New York Times|location= |access-date=}}{{cite news |last=Jicha|first=Tom|date=February 25, 1990|title='CHALLENGER' MOVIE RATES THUMBS UP|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1990-02-25-9001260323-story.html|work=South Florida Sun-Sentinel|location= |access-date=}} A prologue states{{cite news |last=Shales|first=Tom|date=February 25, 1990|title=TV PREVIEW|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1990/02/25/tv-preview/ca133a57-79d6-47c2-99ae-a88a77ee3a23/|newspaper=The Washington Post|location= |access-date=}} that the film was "researched with the consultation of the National Aeronauts and Space Administration"{{cite news |last=Stoneman|first=Donnell|date=February 24, 1990|title=MOVIE TRIVIALIZES A NATIONAL TRAGEDY|url=https://greensboro.com/article_c41fdce5-16cc-5298-a4cd-f37378c36247.html|work=Greensboro News & Record|location= |access-date=}} and partly filmed at NASA's Johnson Space Center{{cite news |last=Maines|first=Don|date=October 4, 2018|title=Houston-bound Bostwick reflects on 'Rocky Horror' and 'Challenger' roles|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/Houston-bound-Bostwick-reflects-on-Rocky-13281229.php|work=Houston Chronicle|location= |access-date=}}{{cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/418945/challenger#overview|title=CHALLENGER - FILM DETAILS|last= |first= |date= |website=Turner Classic Movies|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}} in Houston, Texas.

Plot

The film concentrates on the safety inspections and arguments surrounding the O-rings that ultimately were blamed for the explosion of Challenger. While doing this, it also aims to show the personal humanity of the seven crew members. Generally, the film supports the Space Shuttle program and the dedication of NASA personnel in general while criticizing NASA management.

After beginning on the eve of the launch, the rest of the film is told through flashback, beginning on July 19, 1985, when Christa McAuliffe was officially selected to be the first teacher to travel into space. The film ends just as the shuttle takes off on January 28, 1986, following a symbolic scene of each of the seven crew members and passengers reciting in their thoughts John Gillespie Magee Jr.'s poem "High Flight". U.S. President Ronald Reagan used part of "High Flight" in a speech written by Peggy Noonan on the night after the Challenger disaster{{cite web|last1=Reagan |first1=Ronald |first2=Peggy |last2=Noonan |title=Address to the nation on the Challenger disaster |publisher=Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation |date=28 January 1986 |url=http://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan/speeches/challenger.asp |access-date=3 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227225412/http://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan/speeches/challenger.asp |archive-date=27 December 2007 |url-status=dead }} while eulogizing the fallen members of the crew.

Cast

Karen Allen{{cite news|title=Karen Allen Lands 'Challenger' Role|date=June 29, 1989|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1989-06-29-8906290306-story.html|access-date=September 3, 2015}}{{cite news |last=Carmack|first=Michael|date=February 25, 1990|title=EMOTIONS SOAR FOR KAREN ALLEN IN 'CHALLENGER'|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-02-25-9001160474-story.html|work=Chicago Tribune|location= |access-date=}}{{cite news |last=Froelich|first=Janis D.|date=February 23, 1990|title=CHALLENGER' IS TOO BOOSTERISH|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1990/02/23/challenger-is-too-boosterish/|work=Tampa Bay Times}}{{cite news |last=Froelich|first=Janis D.|date=February 23, 1990|title='CHALLENGER' MOVIE RATES THUMBS UP|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1990-02-25-9001260323-story.html|work=South Florida Sun-Sentinel}} portrayed Christa McAuliffe,{{cite book |last=Suchoff, Rhiel|first=David, Mary|author-link= |date= 4 February 2016|title=The Seductions of Biography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T9qCCwAAQBAJ&dq=challenger+1989+karen+allen&pg=PT50|location= |publisher= Routledge|page=37|isbn=9781134714421}} Kristin Bond portrayed McAuliffe's daughter, Caroline, and Kale Browne portrayed McAuliffe's husband, Steven. Allen and Browne were married in real life.

Peter Boyle portrayed Roger Boisjoly,{{cite magazine |last=Tucker|first=Ken|date=February 23, 1990|title=Challenger|url=https://ew.com/article/1990/02/23/challenger/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{cite journal |title=Boisjoly on Ethics|last=Armenakis|first=Achilles A.|date=September 3, 2002|publisher= |citeseerx=10.1.1.891.4916|quote=}} the Thiokol{{cite news |last=Zurawik|first=David|date=February 2, 1990|title=Docudramas Take Fiction's Liberties With Our History|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-02-ca-1469-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|location= |access-date=}} engineer most vocal{{cite news |last=Pergament|first=Alan|date=February 23, 1990|title=SUSPENSE IS A PROBLEM IN SHUTTLE DOCUDRAMA|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/suspense-is-a-problem-in-shuttle-docudrama/article_936d4348-d79b-5363-816d-d21b652b0205.html|work=Buffalo News|location= |access-date=}} about the danger of launching at extremely low temperatures because of the risk that the O-ring seals in the shuttle's rocket boosters would fail at those temperatures.

The film also examines the personal lives of the other members{{cite news |last=Owen|first=Rob|date=November 13, 2017|title=Tuned In: Exploring the science behind 'Challenger'|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/tv-radio/2013/11/15/Exploring-the-science-behind-Challenger/stories/201311150075|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|location= |access-date=}} of the crew - Barry Bostwick{{cite web |url=https://freshairarchive.org/index.php/segments/challenger-more-responsible-reprehensible-still-unnecessary|title="Challenger" is More Responsible than Reprehensible, but Still Unnecessary.|last=Gross|first=Terry|date=February 19, 1990|website=The Fresh Air Archive|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}} as Commander Dick Scobee, Brian Kerwin as Pilot Michael Smith,{{cite news |last=King|first=Susan|date=February 25, 1990|title=The Challenge of 'Challenger' : HOW ABC'S SUNDAY NIGHT MOVIE FINALLY GOT OFF THE GROUND|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-25-tv-2306-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times}} Joe Morton as Dr. Ronald McNair, Keone Young{{cite news |last=Hassan|first=Mohamed|date=March 17, 2017|title=After a 50-Year Career, Veteran Actor Keone Young Is an 'Outsider on the Inside'|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/after-50-year-career-veteran-actor-keone-young-outsider-inside-n734136|work=NBC News|location= |access-date=}} as Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuka, Richard Jenkins as Gregory B. Jarvis, Julie Fulton{{cite news |last1=Townsend |first1=Mary Ann |title='Challenger' looks behind scenes of space tragedy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59803650/the-observer/|access-date=September 23, 2020 |work=The Observer |date=February 22, 1990 |location=Virginia, Charlottesville |page=20|via = Newspapers.com}} as Dr. Judith Resnik - and their families{{cite news |last=Zurawik|first=David|date=February 25, 1990|title=Turning Tragedy Into Entertainment // 'Challenger' Invades Survivors' Private Grief|url=https://tulsaworld.com/archive/turning-tragedy-into-entertainment-challenger-invades-survivors-private-grief/article_7321f1ea-501a-5b9e-ba08-ec066046c92f.html|work=Tulsa World|location= |access-date=}} - Angela Bassett as Cheryl McNair, Elizabeth Kemp as Jane Smith, Jeanne Mori as Lorna Onizuka, Debbie Boily as Marcia Jarvis, Melinda Ann Austin as June Scobee, Melissa Chan as Janelle Onizuka, Gavin Luckett as Reggie McNair, Naoka Nakagawa as Darien Onizuka, Thomas Allen Jr. as Scott Smith - before they boarded Challenger.

Emmy award

At the 42nd Primetime Emmy Awards in September 1990, Challenger won Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries or a Special.{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/1990|title=Emmys.com list of 1990 Nominees & Winners|access-date=May 25, 2019}}{{cite news |last=Oh|first=Sheryl|date=October 3, 2018|title=Michelle Williams to Honor Christa McAuliffe's Life in 'The Challenger'|url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/michelle-williams-the-challenger/|work=Film School Rjects|location= |access-date=}}