J.F.K. - just a few thoughts...

Rating: 10/10 (20 April 2001)

Possible spoilers
I recently watched "Thirteen days", a screen adaptation of the Cuba crisis in 1962. A reason for me to watch "J.F.K." again - which I have seen a several times before.
The 22nd November 1963 was possibly the darkest day in the history of the USA. President John F. Kennedy was killed on his visit in Dallas. Lyndon B. Johnson became the new president on the same day. The Warren Commission was instructed to investigate the case. Their version: it was the act of one single man - Lee Harvey Oswald. Jim Garrison (believable: Kevin Costner), district attorney in New Orleans doesn´t believe that official theory and decides to reopen the case.
Oliver Stones history lesson shows a lot of facts, but it´s hard to treat them completely. I try to mention some important things that moved me. The first thing was the "Magic bullet"-theory. The traces on J.F.K.´s head showed three bullet-holes. The shots must have hit him from different directions. The explanation of the Warren Commission: it must have been ONE and the same bullet that hit him several times. Unbelievable. Did they think people are so stupid to believe this?
Another fact that shocked me was how they falsified the testimonies of the witnesses and destroyed important evidences. I have read about an inquiry from 1967 which said that 60% didn´t believe in the correctness of the Warren-report; 44% believed that it was conspiracy. Reasons that make you doubt the credibility of a democratic government. If John F. Kennedy had survived, there would have been no war in Vietnam. He had to die just because he tried to change something...
Though its running time of 3 hours, "J.F.K." keeps you at the edge of your seat - especially during the courtroom scene. A hypnotizing score by John Williams, a terrific cast. By the way it was genius to cast the real Jim Garrison for the role of Earl Warren! This is probably one of the best films of its genre.
One word: Powerful!