Originally Posted by jsmih

^ I agree. Interesting article on the director's goals and thought process for the movie, with the following comments on this issue from Armstrong's two sons:

"Although Neil didn't see himself that way, he was an American hero. He was also an engineer and a pilot, a father and a friend, a man who suffered privately through great tragedies with incredible grace. This is why, though there are numerous shots of the American flag on the moon, the filmmakers chose to focus on Neil looking back at the earth, his walk to Little West Crater, his unique, personal experience of completing this journey, a journey that has seen so many incredible highs and devastating lows."

Neil Armstrong's sons defend absence of flag-planting scene in 'First Man' - Chicago Tribune