In 1961 during the height of the cold war between the United States and Russia something extraordinary happened…On April 12th, 1961, the Soviet Union reports the successful launch, orbit and reentry of the first man in space, Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin pushing the cold war into a space duel. With the collapse of communism and the rise of freedom in the Russian Federation, recent access to documents in the Kremlin archives reveal a story intended to remain buried forever. Yuri Gagarin, the icon of triumphant communism known world over, was not the first man in space. He was preceded by Vladimir Ilyushin, an unsung hero and the man at the center of this decades old conspiracy….
Tag Line
the scandal, the propaganda, a KGB cover-up…
Tech Specs
Running Time: 84 minutes
Format: 1:78 (HD)
Sound: Dolby SRl
Rating: Pending
Genre: Documentary, Sci-Fi
Language: English
Country: USA
Language: English
• Winner Best Documentary -Houston Worldfest
• Official Selection -Space 50 International Film Festival
• Official Selection -Edmonton International Film Festival
Fallen Idol: The Yuri Gagarin Conspiracy… presents a persuasive enough case that Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gargarin was not — as history has written — the first man in outer space… True or not, it’s one of the movie’s many intriguing “what ifs”.
• Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
Riveting tale of intrigue, conspiracy and the cold war. Makes you reevaluate our government and the 60’s…remarkable.
• Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle
I cannot recommend seeing this film enough with the great Elliot Gould (a perfect fit) hosting this Documentary. The film grabs your attention in the first minute and you are glued to screen till the final shocking moments and believe me there is many of those. I was shocked, baffled and even a bit angry watching this film but in a way I was also amazed at what a country would do to reach its goal – even if it meant death. This is a must-see and one of the best films I have seen in some time.
• Patrick Ricketts, Video Views
Fallen Idol: The Yuri Gagarin Conspiracy (2008) is a fascinating documentary contending that the Cold War cosmonaut hailed as the first man in space actually wasn’t … the evidence presented appears level-headed, reasonable, and in part supported by primary evidence and first-hand accounts. Now, as a movie, this is Recommended.
• Stuart Galbraith, DVD Talk.com
Great historical footage, including some quite spectacular shots as the launchers exploded. The Cold War paranoia is well documented and explained, as is the development of powerful people and families in the post-WW2 U.S.S.R. The politics in Russia at this period are interesting, and well explained in the film. On the other hand, the film gives a human touch to the protagonists.
• Synergy Magazine
