HBO’s Best War Epics Wouldn’t Exist Without Tom Hanks’ Forgotten Space Saga

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While he’s famous as an actor, his work behind the scenes – in production meetings and as a producer – has really defined the later part of his career. After years of success as an actor, it was natural for him to start producing popular films and TV shows. But many people don’t know that he began developing these skills long before recent hits like Mamma Mia.

Though Tom Hanks is well-known for films like My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Greyhound, his impact on television deserves recognition. He played a key role in ushering in a new age of TV, one defined by ambitious, high-quality storytelling and expensive productions. Hanks is now strongly associated with these kinds of series, largely thanks to his work on From the Earth to the Moon.

From the Earth to the Moon Defined Docu-Drama Storytelling for HBO

Many science fiction fans will recognize From the Earth to the Moon as the title of a Jules Verne novel. However, this From the Earth to the Moon is inspired by Andrew Chaikin’s 1994 book, The Man on the Moon. Chaikin’s book vividly details the experiences of astronauts throughout the entire Apollo program, from the Apollo 7 mission to Apollo 17, and it provided the ideal foundation for this show.

Released in 1998, the 12-part HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon explored the story of the Apollo program. Created by Brian Grazer and Tom Hanks, it featured 30 of the 32 astronauts who participated and was filmed in a documentary style. Hanks himself appeared on camera at the beginning of each episode to provide context, a unique and ultimately successful approach.

What made this show special was its close connection to the actual astronauts who lived through the events. Many of them participated in the production, meeting the actors playing them and sharing their firsthand experiences. From the Earth to the Moon featured a large and gifted cast, including character actors like Nick Searcy, Lane Smith, Stephen Root, and Daniel Hugh Kelly, who were able to fully immerse themselves in the roles of these space heroes.

The actors truly brought the story to life, and their performances were a major reason the show was so successful. The series was incredibly well-received, earning praise from critics and audiences alike. It received numerous award nominations and won accolades from prestigious organizations like the Television Critics Association, the Emmys, and the Golden Globes.

Tom Hanks’ Band of Brothers & The Pacific Must Credit the Early Show

Tom Hanks may not have known it then, but the positive response to From the Earth to the Moon significantly helped his career. It led to further collaborations with HBO on shows like Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Like From the Earth to the Moon, these series were known for their historical detail and their focus on the personal stories of the people involved, bringing those human elements to life.

It’s interesting that From the Earth to the Moon actually played a key role in setting the stage for Tom Hanks’ later, more famous projects. Band of Brothers often gets all the attention, particularly when discussing Hanks’ work as a producer, and it rightly stands out as a highlight of his filmography. However, From the Earth to the Moon – a hugely important series in his career – is often overlooked. This might be because it aired during a strange period for high-quality television, or simply because the shows that followed it were so consistently excellent.

Even now, it’s difficult to surpass the impact of Band of Brothers. In just 12 episodes, Tom Hanks and his team created a groundbreaking storytelling approach for HBO – one that honored the courageous soldiers it depicted and truly resonated with viewers. Everything HBO has produced in a similar vein since 1998 owes a debt to their work.

Although these films cover different topics, they all share a common element. Watching all three – The Pacific and From the Earth to the Moon – reveals that Tom Hanks has a timeless and enduring storytelling style.

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2026-02-18 00:08