Looking back on Apollo 11 moon shot

Fifty years later, television is commemorating the Apollo 11 moon landing with a parade of documentaries and specials. Here are some to check out.

“MOON LANDING: THE LOST TAPES” (10 P.M. SUNDAY, HISTORY)

» Newly uncovered footage, rare photographs and previously untelevised audio interviews help to recall the timeline of events and impending challenges of the Apollo 11 mission, while also capturing the astronauts’ doubts and fears as they stand on the brink of making history.

“8 DAYS: TO THE MOON AND BACK” (9 P.M. WEDNESDAY, PBS)

» This documentary brings the moon mission back to life by blending rare audio — featuring candid conversations between Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins — with newly shot studio footage, NASA and news archives, and CGI re-creation and special effects. It begins with the countdown (Day 1) and ends with the final splashdown (Day 8).

“WONDERS OF THE MOON” (10 P.M. JULY 19, BBC AMERICA)

» This eye-popping special uses stunning, detailed imagery to reveal the monthly life cycle of the moon to reveal how it influences life on Earth.

“APOLLO 11” (6 AND 8 P.M. JULY 20, CNN)

» This feature-length documentary captures the tense, exhilarating days and hours surrounding the “one giant leap for mankind.” It is primarily comprised from newly discovered 70 mm footage and more than 11,000 hours of audio recordings. (Note: This is a re-airing of the special that premiered June 23.)

“APOLLO: THE FORGOTTEN FILMS” (8 P.M. JULY 20, DISCOVERY; 7 P.M. JULY 21, SCIENCE CHANNEL)

» A compelling behind-the-scenes look at the exhaustive preparation that went into sending the first humans to the moon. Footage compiled from NASA Research Centers, the National Archives and various news reports.

“THE DAY WE WALKED ON THE MOON” (9 P.M. JULY 20, SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL)

» Notable witnesses recall their thoughts and feelings during the first 24 hours following the moon landing. The documentary includes new interviews with the children of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Also interviewed: Astronaut Michael Collins, the third member of the Apollo 11 mission; members of Mission Control and celebrities such as Queen guitarist and doctor of astrophysics Brian May.

“CONFESSIONS FROM SPACE: APOLLO” (10 P.M. JULY 20, DISCOVERY)

» Learn what it was like to go to the moon from the people who lived it. In an event hosted by The Explorers Club, Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11), Michael Collins (Apollo 11), Charlie Duke (Apollo 16) and more come together to share insights, experiences and stories.