Our Gagarin
Our Gagarin
"First in space! This film is a tribute to the Soviet hero Yuri Gagarin. At 27 years of age Gagarin became a citizen of the planet. He explained that he was the man at the top built by the sacrificial labors of his countrymen. We see great parades and demonstrations in the scores of countries he visited after his flight. Afterwards, he entered the Engineering Air Force Academy to prepare for future space flights and also served as Deputy of the Central Committee of the Young Communist League." Astronaut, Cosmonaut.
Our Gagarin
Opening credits roll.
Our Gagarin
DO NOT USE: Several photos shown of YURI GAGARIN throughout his life
Our Gagarin
Title zooms forward and VO announcer proclaims "Our Gagarin".
Our Gagarin
Interview with Yuri Gagarin inter-spliced with imagery from his first space flight: the rocket ascending into the sky, the control base and scientists working at computers & manning machines on ground, Gagarin in the rocket sunk in his seat by the g-force.
Our Gagarin
Yuri Gagarin's preparations for the first space flight: his suiting up, his bus ride to the launch station, his elevator ride to the top of the rocket, his being strapped in the spaceship's seat - VO translation of Gagarin's speech before take off. Countdown begins: footage of ground control base operations, followed by various views of the ignition and blast off.
Our Gagarin
CUs faces of Russian people listening to radio broadcasts of the launch followed by images of cheering crowds, rapidly moving newspaper printing presses, people buying & reading newspapers, busy switchboard operators, kids cutting out pictures of Yuri and making collages, celebratory marches through streets and on Red Square, etc.
Our Gagarin
TV feed images of Gagarin in space ship in orbit. C/A shots of earth from orbit.
Our Gagarin
Shots of Soviet air force training propeller planes and jets in flight. Footage of Yuri Gagarin training for his mission (cosmonaut training): zero-G simulators, spinning centrifugal force machines, seat catapults, water training, parachuting, cockpit training, health tests, etc. Various shots Yuri, in CCCP uniform studying. Footage of the space rocket being hauled and inclined onto the launching pad - nice low angle view of the huge thrusters.
Our Gagarin
MS Yuri Gagarin's mother working outside rural home. Interview with Gagarin's mother regarding Yuri's mission; she says she knowing nothing of it until after the rocket had launched. Interview with Yuri Gagarin's brother, Boris.
Our Gagarin
Gagarin's landing spot in Volga Steppe, crews retrieving parachute & capsule; Yuri talking jubilantly on phone; his air force escort home and arrival at the airport to throngs of people including his wife, mother & father; his motorcade from the airport; people watching event on televisions; crowds of people at airport, on motorcade route, at Red Square, many waving flags; Yuri waving shyly to crowd from balcony of Kremlin; his reception by Soviet leaders.
Our Gagarin
Footage of Yuri Gagarin receiving warm receptions in Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, eating sushi in sushi house in Japan (geisha girls watch happily as Yuri struggles with chopsticks), riding by the pyramids in Egypt, getting a song and drum filled reception in Africa (Kenya?). Motorcades through crowd-lined streets, crowds waving flags, bestowing him with kisses and flowers and treats, etc.
Our Gagarin
Footage of Yuri Gagarin, still in uniform, entering the Military-Engineering Airforce Academy with the other cosmonauts.
Our Gagarin
DO NOT USE Still photo
Our Gagarin
Yuri Gagarin getting an education, training the next generation of cosmonauts (writing on chalkboard, using radio into capsule simulator, helping space suit wearing students from bus), taking a leading role in the space program
Our Gagarin
Yuri Gagarin taking part in government functions (including flag-bearing), etc. MSs Yuri walking along street with elderly mother & father; more accolades from populace.
Our Gagarin
Newsreel of Yuri Gagarin being received and honored in Havana, Cuba: FIDEL CASTRO greets him at airport; huge crowds as motorcade drives down a flooded street en route to an outdoor function.
Our Gagarin
Footage of Yuri Gagarin meeting with PANDIT NEHRU (Jawaharlal Nehru) in India, then being given the Blue Necklace of the Nile by GAMAL ABDEL NASSER in Egypt. Yuri is given the Order of Karl Marx. He is also received warmly in Liberia and North Vietnam. The workers of Manchester present him with a union medal.
Our Gagarin
Footage of Gagarin being received by large crowds in the Denmark, Sweden (honorary fireman), Norway, England, Ceylon, Japan, Vienna (book signing at book store; queue of people outside). Accolades, gifts, happy children, motorcades, etc.
Our Gagarin
Footage of Gagarin received and honored by "famous" actors and writers (no identifiable personalities here). Narrator during this segment reflecting on why Gagarin did not develop an ego: "Gagarin knew that he was at the top of a pyramid built by the labor of thousands of his countrymen". Great shot of Yuri on stage, being showered with flowers thrown from crowd.
Our Gagarin
Newsreel of Yuri Gagarin at first press conference; great C/As reporters writing into notebooks, photographers taking pictures, etc. Montage of Yuri Gagarin, rings of flowers around his neck, at a huge rally; C/As happy patriotic people.
Our Gagarin
Footage of Yuri Gagarin the father, family and friend (in kitchen, riding child's bike , teaching daughter to ride, at friend's wedding, reading to children, etc. Great shots Yuri and children at zoo; includes MS of lion cub and bear cub pawing at one another (play fighting).
Our Gagarin
MCUs little Russian boys in space helmets; Gagarin refers to them as young Leninists.
Our Gagarin
Good footage of rocket launch and ascent into sky.
Our Gagarin
DO NOT USE Still photographs of Gagarin at different points in his life and career shown to music - an ode to Gagarin.
Our Gagarin
"End" title in Russian.