Is Hidden Figures Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
by A Maria | Updated Apr 18, 2023
Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures is a biographical drama movie released in 2016, directed by Theodore Melfi and written by Melfi and Allison Schroeder. It is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly, which is about the lives of three African-American female mathematicians - Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson - who worked for NASA during the Space Race era.
The movie features a star-studded cast including Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, and Glen Powell. Filming for Hidden Figures took place in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as other locations in the state, and production wrapped up in May 2016.
The movie had a limited release on December 25, 2016, by 20th Century Fox, before going wide in North America on January 6, 2017. The film received critical acclaim, with particular praise for the performances by Henson, Spencer, and Monáe, as well as the writing, direction, cinematography, emotional tone, and historical accuracy.
The National Board of Review chose Hidden Figures as one of the top ten films of 2016, and the movie also won various awards and nominations, including three nominations at the 89th Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It also won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Is Hidden Figures based on a true story?
Are you ready to be inspired and amazed by a story of resilience, determination, and groundbreaking achievement? Look no further than Hidden Figures, a remarkable film that celebrates the remarkable contributions of three African-American women to the Space Race and is said to be loosely based on a true story.
As the movie shows, these three women - Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson - were integral to NASA's efforts to launch John Glenn into space and bring him home safely. And yet, despite their vital work, they faced prejudice and discrimination at every turn. They were underestimated, undervalued, and often ignored - but they refused to be silenced or deterred.
Instead, they fought back with their intelligence, their passion, and their unwavering commitment to excellence. They proved that gender, race, or background need not be barriers to success. And in doing so, they made history. This movie is more than just a powerful tribute to three extraordinary women. It is also a reminder of the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equality in every field.
It challenges us to confront our biases and prejudices, and to recognize the potential of every human being - regardless of who they are or where they come from. So if you're looking for a movie that will inspire you, challenge you, and leave you in awe of what humans can achieve, look no further than Hidden Figures. It is a true masterpiece of cinema and a story that deserves to be told and celebrated for generations to come.
Hidden Figures Ending Explained
The ending of Hidden Figures leaves us with a sense of wonder and amazement at the achievements of these three remarkable women. Katherine Johnson, after reconciling with her husband, is proposed to and accepts. But that's just the beginning of her story. In the post-script, we learn that Katherine went on to calculate the trajectory for the 1969 Apollo 11 flight to the moon, and also worked on Apollo 13.
Her groundbreaking work earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, and the Langley Research Center in Virginia, where she worked, was renamed in her honor in 2016. As for Dorothy Vaughan, she proved herself to be a true computer programming pioneer, studying and mastering the FORTRAN programming language.
And Mary Jackson's tenacity and intelligence paid off as well. Despite the obstacles in her path, she fought for and was granted permission to study engineering, becoming one of the first black women to do so in the area. All three women worked their way up through the ranks of NASA and made history with their contributions to the space program.
It's impossible not to feel inspired and curious after watching Hidden Figures. What other amazing, untold stories are out there, waiting to be discovered and shared? Who else has been written out of history but deserves to be recognized for their contributions? The film leaves us with a sense of awe and an eagerness to learn more about the hidden figures who have shaped our world.
Hidden Figures Plot
Get ready for a heartwarming tale of determination, resilience, and triumph against all odds. In "Hidden Figures," we meet Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan, three brilliant African-American women working at NASA in the 1960s. They're smart, ambitious, and ready to take on any challenge, but there's just one problem: they're "computers."
That's right, before the era of laptops and smartphones, these women were human calculators, performing complex math calculations by hand. But despite their impressive skills, they're relegated to the "colored" section of the facility, facing discrimination and segregation at every turn. It's enough to make anyone want to give up, but not these ladies.
Katherine is assigned to assist the Space Task Group, headed up by Al Harrison. She's the first black woman on the team, and needless to say, not everyone is thrilled about it. But she proves her worth time and time again, solving complex equations and earning the respect of her colleagues. Meanwhile, Mary is determined to become an engineer but faces obstacles at every turn.
She files a petition to attend all-white Hampton High School and wins over a judge with her powerful arguments. And Dorothy, sensing that her days as a "computer" may be numbered, teaches herself and her colleagues programming and becomes the first African-American supervisor at NASA. But it's not just about their professional achievements.
These women have personal lives too, and they're not afraid to stand up for what they believe in. Katherine meets and falls in love with Jim Johnson, a National Guard lieutenant colonel who initially doubts women's mathematical abilities but learns to respect and admire Katherine. Mary's husband is initially unsupportive of her quest for education but eventually comes around.
And Dorothy is a fierce advocate for her fellow African-American colleagues, refusing to accept anything less than equal treatment. The climax of the movie comes with John Glenn's historic space launch and Katherine's critical role in ensuring its success. When the IBM 7090 computer throws off incorrect calculations, it's up to Katherine to save the day with her incredible math skills.
It's a moment of triumph not just for Katherine, but for all the "hidden figures" who played a crucial but overlooked role in NASA's early space program. In the end, the movie leaves us with a sense of hope and inspiration. These women faced incredible obstacles, but they never gave up. They fought for their rights, pursued their dreams, and ultimately made history.
And even though they were eventually replaced by machines, their legacy lives on. Mary becomes NASA's first female African-American engineer, Dorothy becomes the first African-American supervisor, and Katherine goes on to calculate the trajectories for the Apollo 11 and Space Shuttle missions, earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the process.
Their story is a reminder that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and a little bit of courage. Their tale serves as a testament that with grit, perseverance, and some bravery, nothing is unattainable.
Hidden Figures Overview
Directed by
Theodore Melfi
Screenplay by
Based on
Hidden Figures
by Margot Lee Shetterly
Produced by
Starring
Cinematography
Mandy Walker
Edited by
Peter Teschner
Music by
Production
companies
Distributed by
20th Century Fox
Release dates
Country
United States
Language
English
SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILS
January 6, 2017
Is Hidden Figures based on a true story - FAQs
"Hidden Figures" is a biographical drama movie that tells the true story of three African-American female mathematicians who worked for NASA during the Space Race era. The movie is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly.
"Hidden Figures" was directed by Theodore Melfi and written by Melfi and Allison Schroeder.
The movie features a star-studded cast including Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, and Glen Powell.
Filming for "Hidden Figures" took place in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as other locations in the state.
The movie had a limited release on December 25, 2016, by 20th Century Fox, before going wide in North America on January 6, 2017.