BBC Documentaries

Britain's Star Men: Heroes of Astronomy (2016x278)

: 29, 2016

Four British astronomers in their 70s reunite for a 50th anniversary trek in this deceptive documentary. For what begins as a nostalgic and impeccably polite road trip across America’s South West coalesces into something more profound. Each professor has his turn in the starlight – theoretician Donald, instrument maker Roger, visionary Nick and Wallace (Wal) the observer – as the film’s director Alison Rose gets them to open up about their lives, the universe, even faith. There is banter about parochial concerns such as class and career, and on the other hand explanations of quasars and irregular galaxies. It’s a powerful juxtaposition. An elegiac film amid stunning scenery, Star Men makes it easy to appreciate the beauty of our skies, while profiling four great scientific minds that are still active and enthusiastic. “Isn’t it amazing that we get paid to do this?” says Wal. But you get the nagging feeling you’re being led somewhere… and it’s somewhere, temporarily, very sad. Summary Four veteran British stargazers go on a road trip to celebrate 50 years of work and friendship, which represents a highly productive period in astronomy. Now in their 70s, they share their reflections on a life spent looking at the universe as they journey through the south-western United States, revisiting the places where they worked and the landscape they explored together as young men.