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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 2:34 pm
by Fletch F. Fletch
Synopsis:
A film that chronicles New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison's investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It explores all the credible assassination theories that have raised the nation's persistent questions, doubts and suspicions.
Special Features:
- Commentary by director Oliver Stone
- 17 Minutes of Footage Not Seen in North American Theaters
- "Beyond JFK: The Question of Conspiracy" feature-length documentary
- Deleted/ Extended Scenes with Optional Commentary by Oliver Stone
- Multimedia Essays:
- Assassination Update: The New Documents
- Meet Mr. X: The Personality and Thoughts of Fletcher Prouty
- DVD-ROM: Collected reviews of the film, trailer sampler, additional essays, web links
Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 6:54 pm
by hearthesilence
I'm surprised they crammed the whole movie on one disc, but it still looks fine to me.
I was much more enthusiastic when I saw this for the first time. I had no idea JFK's assassination was so controvesial, I was a big fan of Oliver Stone because of "Platoon" and "Born On The Fourth Of July" (I didn't know anything about Vietnam when I saw "Platoon" either), but over the years, "JFK" has really soured on me in some ways. It's still a really well-made picture, but there's just a lot of bad research and theories thrown about. Even the reference to Bobby Kennedy - it's very brief, and the film doesn't dwell on it - is stretched to the limits of credibility; when Sissy Spacek says "You were right," is Bobby's assassination supposed to be a validation of a conspiracy?
Talking with friends who are more into this than me, a few who are conspiracy believers, more who are lone assassin believers, there's a general consensus that some information is just poor. It's possible this was information that Garrison himself believed to be true - Garrison's portrayal as a Frank Capra-type hero bothers me a bit - but forensic evidence like the 'magic bullet' portrayal of the third bullet, most of the evidence presented in court, etc. have apparently been abandoned by many 'serious' conspiracy buffs over the years.
Most the deleted scenes/material - seamlessly integrated into the film, and apparently transferred from pristine, original sources, unlike, say, the 'director's cut' for Michael Mann's "Manhunter" - don't improve the picture, in some cases weakening it.
Whatever, stylistically, this is Stone's most impressive picture.
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 12:05 am
by Poncho Punch
csmartin wrote:hearthesilence wrote:Talking with friends who are more into this than me, a few who are conspiracy believers, more who are lone assassin believers, there's a general consensus that some information is just poor. It's possible this was information that Garrison himself believed to be true - Garrison's portrayal as a Frank Capra-type hero bothers me a bit - but forensic evidence like the 'magic bullet' portrayal of the third bullet, most of the evidence presented in court, etc. have apparently been abandoned by many 'serious' conspiracy buffs over the years.
I've read Jim Garrison's book "On the Trail of the Assassins," and Stone gets most if not all his information from what Garrison believed. This is what makes the movie all the more remarkable, although perhaps unintentionally. For those conspiracy theorists, this movie obviously speaks to many of their core beliefs. For others, however, I think the movie can be viewed as a cautionary tale, how misreading certain "facts" (magic bullet, the time it took to fire 3 shots, etc) leads a reasonable man to unreasonable conclusions. We witness a descent into madness.
I don't think that Stone intended the film to be viewed that way, but if you do, the film still holds up. That's just one reason why it's my favorite Oliver Stone film and his most powerful, in my opinion.
I've always looked at it not as a tool for portraying Garrison's personal beliefs -- or Stone's, for that matter -- but a summary of a majority of the theories surrounding the assassination and, more importantly, an indictment of the faulty logic and factwork in the Warren Report that led all those nutjobs to cook up the conspiracies. I think Stone wanted people to question the accepted truth, and was merely using the theories to raise interest. He's doing what he does best, stirring up controversy so people will re-examine what it is they consider "common sense".
Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 2:33 pm
by Fletch F. Fletch
csmartin wrote:I've read Jim Garrison's book "On the Trail of the Assassins," and Stone gets most if not all his information from what Garrison believed. This is what makes the movie all the more remarkable, although perhaps unintentionally. For those conspiracy theorists, this movie obviously speaks to many of their core beliefs. For others, however, I think the movie can be viewed as a cautionary tale, how misreading certain "facts" (magic bullet, the time it took to fire 3 shots, etc) leads a reasonable man to unreasonable conclusions. We witness a descent into madness.
Exactly. I think that Stone was trying to say that the Warren Report contains all kinds of facts but distorts and presents them in such an unorganized fashion that any attempt to piece together a coherent narrative or conspiracy is "like drowning." It is up to Garrison (and Stone) to try and make sense of this mess and establish a coherent narrative which he does at the conclusion of the film when he presents his case in court.
Also, Stone has often said that his film is a countermyth to myth perpetrated by the Warren Report.
I don't think that Stone intended the film to be viewed that way, but if you do, the film still holds up. That's just one reason why it's my favorite Oliver Stone film and his most powerful, in my opinion.
Agreed. It often alternates between
Nixon as my favourite Stone film. I think that people have to get past the fact that it is not a history lesson but rather an exciting political thriller.
Poncho Punch wrote:I think Stone wanted people to question the accepted truth, and was merely using the theories to raise interest. He's doing what he does best, stirring up controversy so people will re-examine what it is they consider "common sense".
I agree. Stone is basically doing what X tells Garrison to do in the film -- "Stir up a shit storm," make some noise, get people thinking and questioning and see what happens.
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2005 9:13 pm
by Harold Gervais
csmartin wrote:
I've read Jim Garrison's book "On the Trail of the Assassins," and Stone gets most if not all his information from what Garrison believed. This is what makes the movie all the more remarkable, although perhaps unintentionally. For those conspiracy theorists, this movie obviously speaks to many of their core beliefs. For others, however, I think the movie can be viewed as a cautionary tale, how misreading certain "facts" (magic bullet, the time it took to fire 3 shots, etc) leads a reasonable man to unreasonable conclusions. We witness a descent into madness.
I don't think that Stone intended the film to be viewed that way, but if you do, the film still holds up. That's just one reason why it's my favorite Oliver Stone film and his most powerful, in my opinion.
As someone born & raised in New Orleans and somebody who knows quite a few people who knew Garrison, just let me say
JFK is a great political thriller but terrible history. I don't think it is Stone's best film,
Salvador gets that nod but with
Talk Radio, it's his most entertaining. Still, Stone's tranformation of Garrison into this Frank Capra-like leading man is more than a little bit of a stretch. If you know anything about the man, it's hysterical.
Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2005 5:55 pm
by Fletch F. Fletch
Harold Gervais wrote:As someone born & raised in New Orleans and somebody who knows quite a few people who knew Garrison, just let me say JFK is a great political thriller but terrible history. I don't think it is Stone's best film, Salvador gets that nod but with Talk Radio, it's his most entertaining. Still, Stone's tranformation of Garrison into this Frank Capra-like leading man is more than a little bit of a stretch. If you know anything about the man, it's hysterical.
Have you seen this site:
http://www.jfk-online.com/jfk100menu.html
It's a very meticulously researched blow by blow look at the "facts" that Stone got wrong or took liberties with, including historical figures, etc. According to the author's preface, the site is not meant to be a slam piece on Stone or the movie, just pointing out the differences from what it's in the movie and what has come to light.
Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 2:56 am
by hearthesilence
I remember some people taking it as gospel. Not history or conspiracy buffs, just people my age who went to see it in junior high. There was a lot of press that singled out all the glaring inaccuracies and eventually most people I knew wised up, but that may not be the case anymore.
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:26 pm
by Jeff
Ultimate Collector's Edition and Blu-ray announced:
WHV Press Release wrote:JFK Ultimate Collector's Edition (DVD/Blu-ray)
Intriguing. Provocative. Powerful.
Oliver Stone’s JFK
ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Three-Disc UCE Features New Documentary
The Kennedys: America’s Emerald Kings
Also Debuting in Blu-ray™ Hi-Def with
Premium Hardcover Book Packaging
Available November 11 from Warner Home Video
Burbank, Calif.- July 21, 2008 – The controversial highly-charged story surrounding John F. Kennedy’s assassination is revisited with the November 11 release of Oliver Stone’s JFK as a Three-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition from Warner Home Video. The UCE will feature The Kennedys: America’s Emerald Kings, an extraordinary new documentary from filmmaker Robert Kline based on Thomas Maier’s acclaimed book about five generations of the renowned political family. Unique to the documentary is political and private footage of the Kennedys not widely available to the general public. The Kennedys: America’s Emerald Kings documentary will be premiered on November 10th at Boston College and also screened on November 12th at Fordham University/Lincoln Center. Both universities have the largest Irish studies programs in the country.
The JFK Three-Disc UCE includes the Two-Disc Special Edition Director’s Cut with 17 additional minutes not seen in theaters and the documentary Beyond JFK: A Question of Conspiracy. It also contains memorabilia from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Kennedy Foundation, including reproductions of Kennedy family and presidential photos, letters written by or to John F. Kennedy from J. Edgar Hoover, Lyndon. B. Johnson and more. The UCE also will include a Kennedy campaign button from the National Archives and Records Administration. Of particular distinction is the inclusion of John F. Kennedy’s historic inaugural address and a handwritten letter to his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.
In addition, the set features a collectible booklet containing production photos and photo cards showcasing the actors in character with a mini bio of their character. Additionally, the film will be making its Blu-ray™ Hi-Def debut as the JFK Blu-ray™ Hi-Def, featuring premium hardcover book packaging with press material and photographs from the film.
Oliver Stone’s powerful film about the mystery surrounding the Kennedy assassination is one of the most provocative movies of our time. Aside from its box-office success and critical acclaim, it was nominated for eight Academy Awards® (including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Supporting Actor), winning two (Best Cinematography and Film Editing). The film also won a Best Director (Motion Picture) Golden Globe® for Stone. Finally, JFK played a major role in the national debate leading to passage of the 1992 Assassination Materials Disclosure Act.
Stone directed from a screenplay that he wrote with Zachary Sklar. The all-star cast includes Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman, Jack Lemmon, Laurie Metcalf, Sissy Spacek, Joe Pesci, John Candy, Walter Matthau, Sally Kirkland, Donald Sutherland and Edward Asner.
The JFK Ultimate Collector’s Edition will sell for $39.98 SRP; the JFK Blu-ray™ Hi-Def for $34.99 SRP and The Kennedys: America’s Emerald Kings, available separately, for $19.97 SRP.
Blu-ray™ Hi-Def Enhanced Content (in standard definition)
Behind the Story
Commentary by Director Oliver Stone
Beyond JFK: The Question of Conspiracy
Multimedia Essays
Assassination Update – The New Documents
Meet Mr. X: The Personality and Thoughts of Fletcher Prouty
Deleted/extended scenes with commentary by director Oliver Stone (production audio only)
Jack Ruby Injected with Cancer
Jim Garrison and Dean Andrews – Extended
Jim Garrison and Liz Garrison at Home
Jim Garrison and Colorado Businessman
Beverly Oliver Interview – Extended
Jean Hill Interview – Extended
Jim Garrison in the Book Depository
Antoine’s Restaurant – Oswald Information – Extended
Clay Shaw Trial 1 – Oswald Information – Extended
Clay Shaw Trial 2 – Oswald Information – Extended
Fantasy Sequence – Oswald from the Grave
Alternate Ending
Theatrical trailer
About The Documentary
The Kennedys: America's Emerald Kings is an American saga about the Irish Catholic experience. It encompasses five generations of the Kennedys’ and Fitzgeralds' lives -- starting from 1848 in Wexford, Ireland and ending in 21st-century America. The film was adapted from Thomas Maier's highly acclaimed book The Kennedys: America’s Emerald Kings[1] from Basic Books, re-released in July 2008. The documentary provides a look at both the family’s tragedies of poverty and political oppression and their successes and the triumphs of the White House years. It embodies the most complete work on this Irish American family and their unique place in American history and culture.
JFK ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION
$39.98 SRP
JFK BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF
$34.99 SRP
Feature Run Time: 155 minutes -- Rated: R
16x9 Letter Box
THE KENNEDYS: AMERICA’S EMERALD KINGS
$19.97 SRP
Run Time: 128 minutes
Also available
JFK: Special Edition Director’s Cut
$26.99 SRP
Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change.