JFK (1991)

Director:

Oliver Stone

Writers (WGA):

Oliver Stone (screenplay) &
Zachary Sklar (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

20 December 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama | History | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

The Story That Won't Go Away

Plot:

A New Orleans DA discovers there's more to the Kennedy assassination than the official story.

Plot Keywords:

Kennedy | President | John F Kennedy | Assassination Of President | Vietnam

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 20 nominations

Cast

Sally Kirkland	...	Rose Cheramie
Anthony Ramirez	...	Epileptic
Ray LePere	...	Zapruder
Steve Reed	...	John F. Kennedy - Double
Jodie Farber	...	Jackie Kennedy - Double (as Jodi Farber)
Columbia Dubose	...	Nellie Connally - Double
Randy Means	...	Gov. Connally - Double
Kevin Costner	...	Jim Garrison
Jay O. Sanders	...	Lou Ivon
E.J. Morris	...	Plaza Witness #1
Cheryl Penland	...	Plaza Witness #2
Jim Gough	...	Plaza Witness #3
Perry R. Russo	...	Angry Bar Patron
Mike Longman	...	TV Newsman #1
Edward Asner	...	Guy Bannister

Also Known As:

JFK (France)
JFK - Affaire non classée (France) (poster title)
Project X (USA) (working title)
J.F.K. (Spain) [es]
JFK (Greece) (short title) [el]
JFK (Poland) [pl]
JFK - A Pergunta que Não Quer Calar (Brazil) [pt]
JFK - A nyitott dosszié (Hungary) [hu]
JFK - Historien der ikke vil dø (Denmark) [da]
JFK - Tatort Dallas (Germany) [de]
JFK - avoin tapaus (Finland) [fi]
JFK - historien man aldrig glömmer (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
JFK - un caso ancora aperto (Italy) [it]
JFK, i istoria pou harahtike sti mnimi mas (Greece) [el]
JFK-Dzej Ef Kej (Serbia) [sr]
JFK: Het verhaal dat nooit ophoudt (Netherlands) [nl]
JFK: caso abierto (Spain) [es]
John F. Kennedy - Tatort Dallas (Germany) [de]

MPAA:

Rated R for language. (also 1992 edited version)

Runtime:

189 min | USA:206 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA | France

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PG (Manitoba) (TV rating) | Iceland:12 | Brazil:14 | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) | Singapore:PG (original rating) (cut) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-11 (DVD rating) | Germany:12 (bw) | Netherlands:12 | Norway:11 | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R (No. 31561)

Filming Locations:

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

In its native Italy, the Carcano rifle is called "The Humane Weapon", because it is almost impossible to shoot anything with it.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The spy camera shown, supposedly be used prior to the assassination, is a Minox C. This camera was not manufactured until 1969.

Quotes:

Lyndon B. Johnson: [to the Chiefs of Staff in the White House] Just get me the election; I'll give you your damn war.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase (#8.24)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

A Stranger on Earth

Is anything more important than the truth?

"What is Past is Prologue"… I just got over another viewing of Oliver Stone's JFK, this time the Directors cut, which runs for around 3 hrs 20 mins. As always, I was not bored for a single second of this high octane, virtually paranoia driven dialog. And I got reminded again why it is one of my favorite movies. I've always been a fan of the political thrillers with espionage thrown in, and JFK is undoubtedly one of the best (if not the best) of these. This is Oliver Stone at his best (which is telling, because there have been a lot of instances, especially in recent times, when it seems he has lost it). His Vietnam trilogy not withstanding.

Based on the true life memoirs of Jim Garrison, who was, as per the movie, the only person to bring a trial in the Kennedy assassination, this movie holds you from the first scene till the end. Unless of course, you're the kind who rates a movie's greatness based on the special effects. In which case, I would suggest you go for the Transformers sequel, as most of the world seems to be.

Kevin Costner plays Jim Garrison, the New Orleans DA, who (after 3 years) discovers that things were just not right with the investigation and findings of the Warren commission regarding the murder of John F. Kennedy. Together with his office, a small yet dedicated bunch, he sets out to investigate. Against all odds and a labyrinth of characters, threats, murders and political intrigue, he manages to bring forth the case to trial. Regardless of the outcome of the trial, the final monologue by Costner has to be seen to be believed. And felt. No matter how many times I see this, it always brings a lump to my throat, as Costner elaborates on just why this is so important. Reminds you that Costner is capable of being there with the very best, despite some of the crap he dishes out at times.

As for the actual case, was there conspiracy involving the CIA, the govt, the FBI, and the anti-Cuban and anti-communist forces? Or is Oliver Stone just a paranoid genius, as many say? Well, I don't know, but the power of the movie can be gaged from the fact that it turned me, a completely disinterested person, into a believer.