"JFK (film)"

"JFK (film)"
Ira Jefferson "Jack" Beers Jr. (1910-2009) for The Dallas Morning News · Public domain · source
Name	JFK
Director	Oliver Stone
Producer	Oliver Stone, Arnon Milchan
Writer	Oliver Stone, Zachary Sklar
Starring	Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Jack Lemmon, Sissy Spacek
Music	John Williams
Cinematography	Robert Richardson
Editing	Joe Hutshing, Pietro Scalia
Studio	Warner Bros., Le Studio Canal+, Regency Enterprises, Alcor Films
Released	December 20, 1991
Runtime	189 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$40 million
Gross	$205.4 million

"JFK (film)" is a 1991 American conspiracy thriller film directed by Oliver Stone, based on the books On the Trail of the Assassins by Jim Garrison and Crossfire: The Plot That Killed Kennedy by Jim Marrs. The film stars Kevin Costner as Jim Garrison, the District Attorney of New Orleans who led the investigation into the assassination of John F. Kennedy, with a supporting cast including Gary Oldman as Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Lemmon as Jack Martin, and Sissy Spacek as Liz Garrison. The film explores the events surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy and the subsequent investigation, drawing on the research of Mark Lane, Robert F. Kennedy, and Edward Kennedy.

Plot

The film's plot follows Jim Garrison as he investigates the assassination of John F. Kennedy, which occurred on November 22, 1963, in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas, during a visit by John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Garrison's investigation leads him to suspect that there was a conspiracy involving the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Cuban exiles, with possible connections to Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and the Soviet Union. The film also explores the role of Clay Shaw, a New Orleans businessman with alleged ties to the CIA and the Mafia, played by Tommy Lee Jones, and the testimony of Willie O'Keefe, a gay prostitute who claimed to have information about the assassination, played by Kevin Bacon. The investigation also involves David Ferrie, a private investigator with connections to Lee Harvey Oswald and the CIA, played by Joe Pesci, and Guy Banister, a former FBI agent with ties to the Mafia and the CIA, played by Ed Asner.

Production

The film was produced by Oliver Stone and Arnon Milchan, with a screenplay by Oliver Stone and Zachary Sklar, based on the books On the Trail of the Assassins by Jim Garrison and Crossfire: The Plot That Killed Kennedy by Jim Marrs. The film was shot on location in New Orleans, Dallas, Texas, and Washington, D.C., with a budget of $40 million. The film's cinematography was handled by Robert Richardson, who worked with Oliver Stone on several other films, including Platoon and Born on the Fourth of July. The film's score was composed by John Williams, who also worked on the scores for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, and Star Wars.

Cast

The film features a large ensemble cast, including Kevin Costner as Jim Garrison, Gary Oldman as Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Lemmon as Jack Martin, and Sissy Spacek as Liz Garrison. The cast also includes Tommy Lee Jones as Clay Shaw, Joe Pesci as David Ferrie, and Ed Asner as Guy Banister. Other notable cast members include Walter Matthau as Senator Russell Long, Donald Sutherland as X, a mysterious figure who provides information to Jim Garrison, and Laurie Metcalf as Susie Cox, a secretary who works for Jim Garrison. The film also features appearances by Wayne Knight as Numa Bertel, a New Orleans police officer, and Brian Doyle-Murray as Jack Ruby, the nightclub owner who killed Lee Harvey Oswald.

Release

The film was released on December 20, 1991, by Warner Bros. and was a commercial success, grossing over $205 million worldwide. The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising the film's direction, acting, and historical accuracy. The film was also nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Kevin Costner. The film's success can be attributed to the work of Oliver Stone, who also directed Platoon and Wall Street, and the cast, which included Kevin Costner, who also starred in Dances with Wolves and The Bodyguard, and Gary Oldman, who also appeared in Sid and Nancy and State of Grace.

Reception

The film received widespread critical acclaim, with many praising the film's direction, acting, and historical accuracy. The film holds a 84% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics praising the film's ambition and scope. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $205 million worldwide. The film's success can be attributed to the work of Oliver Stone, who also directed Platoon and Wall Street, and the cast, which included Kevin Costner, who also starred in Dances with Wolves and The Bodyguard, and Gary Oldman, who also appeared in Sid and Nancy and State of Grace. The film's historical accuracy was also praised by many, including Robert F. Kennedy and Edward Kennedy, who were both involved in the investigation into the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Historical_accuracy

The film's historical accuracy has been the subject of much debate, with some critics arguing that the film takes creative liberties with the events surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy. However, many of the film's events are based on real events and figures, including the Warren Commission, the Church Committee, and the House Select Committee on Assassinations. The film also explores the role of CIA and FBI in the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and the possible connections to Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and the Soviet Union. The film's portrayal of Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby has also been praised for its accuracy, with many historians and researchers praising the film's attention to detail. The film's historical accuracy can be attributed to the work of Oliver Stone, who also directed Platoon and Wall Street, and the cast, which included Kevin Costner, who also starred in Dances with Wolves and The Bodyguard, and Gary Oldman, who also appeared in Sid and Nancy and State of Grace.

Category:American conspiracy thriller films Category:Films about the assassination of John F. Kennedy Category:Films directed by Oliver Stone