A great short science fiction film, Others Will Follow, created and directed by Andrew Finch and published on Vimeo, tells the story of the first crewed mission to Mars. After a tragic accident causes the spacecraft to break apart, the last surviving crew member -presumably the others have perished- manages to send an inspirational message back to Earth. It’s a must-watch.
Others Will Follow
- Andrew Finch: Director, writer, cine, VFX, sets, props, costumes, edit, sound, and score
- Starring:
- Bruce Greenwood (voice)
- Winston Tao
- Erica Sabol
- Damian Chey
- Music: “Secret” by Clark. Courtesy Warp Records / Kobalt Music Group Ltd.
Others Will Follow: In Event of Moon Disaster
The speech in the film echoes the words of a never-broadcast address prepared for President Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States (1969-1974). NASA knew the Moon landing mission was very risky, so the White House prepared remarks in case the astronauts did not survive. The speech, written by Nixon’s speechwriter William Safire, was intended for use if the crew of Apollo 11, the first mission to land humans on the Moon, did not return to Earth. It was sent to President Nixon’s Chief of Staff, H.R. Haldeman, and was publicly released 30 years later in 1999.
The title of the movie is also inspired by that speech, specifically the line beginning with “Others will follow.”
The text of William Safire’s speech for President Richard Nixon in the event of a disaster besetting Apollo 11
To: H. R. Haldeman
From: Bill Safire
July 18, 1969
IN EVENT OF MOON DISASTER:
Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace.
These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.
These two men are laying down their lives in mankind’s most noble goal: the search for truth and understanding.
They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by their nation; they will be mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dared send two of her sons into the unknown.
In their exploration, they stirred the people of the world to feel as one; in their sacrifice, they bind more tightly the brotherhood of man.
In ancient days, men looked at stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood.
Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man’s search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts.
For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind.
PRIOR TO THE PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT:
The President should telephone each of the widows-to-be.
AFTER THE PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT, AT THE POINT WHEN NASA ENDS COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE MEN:
A clergyman should adopt the same procedure as a burial at sea, commending their souls to “the deepest of the deep,” concluding with the Lord’s Prayer.
Making of: Others Will Follow
Andrew Finch also published another video titled “Making
Sources
- “The Moon Landing: An Undelivered Nixon Speech” on watergate.info
- “In Event of Moon Disaster” speech on archives.gov
- The Naming of Cats: A Scene from Logan’s Run [1976 Sci-Fi Movie] - September 7, 2024
- Spotting Perseverance: A Tiny Glimpse of NASA’s Rover from Mars Orbit - September 2, 2024
- How to Land a Space Shuttle? The Incredible Reentry and Landing Process - September 2, 2024