Return to Earth is an American biopic television film that originally aired on May 14, 1976 on ABC. The film stars Cliff Robertson as astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Shirley Knight as Joan Aldrin. Based upon Aldrin's 1973 book of the same name, the film dramatizes the emotional difficulties of Aldrin's life following his 1969 trip to the Moon on Apollo 11. The film was directed by Jud Taylor, and Aldrin served as a consultant.Buzz Aldrin--in search of another moon?: Not the same Broadway Space-fiction venture Impact on Russia By Arthur Unger. The Christian Science Monitor 13 May 1976: 22.
Plot Based upon his own book of his ordeals, the film is the story of Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the Moon, and the problems he had after the mission and his return to Earth, including the breakup of his marriage, his struggles with clinical depression and alcoholism, and his hospitalization for psychiatric problems.
Cast Cliff Robertson as Col. Edwin E. 'Buzz' Aldrin Jr. Shirley Knight as Joan Aldrin Charles Cioffi as Dr. Sam Mayhill Ralph Bellamy as Col. Edwin E. Aldrin Stefanie Powers as Marianne Kraig Metzinger as Andy Aldrin Alexandra Taylor as Jan Aldrin Tony Marks as Mike Aldrin Stephen Pearlman as Dr. Hotfield Stefan Gierasch as Al Davis Mark Roberts Lance Henriksen Conard Fowkes George D. Wallace Robert Karnes Davis Roberts Robert Williams Shelley Mitchell
Production Robertson's casting was announced in September 1975.Billie Jean King on Como Special Los Angeles Times 3 Sep 1975: g20.
Reception The Los Angeles Times called it "decent, well acted, uninspired."TV MOVIE REVIEW: 'Return to Earth' on ABC Tonight Adler, Dick. Los Angeles Times 14 May 1976: f24.
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