Executive Action (1973)

Rogue intelligence agents, right-wing politicians, greedy capitalists, and free-lance assassins plot and carry out the JFK assassination in this speculative agitprop.

Director:

David Miller

Writers:

Dalton Trumbo (screenplay), Donald Freed (story),

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, Will Geer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Burt Lancaster	...	James Farrington
Robert Ryan	...	Robert Foster
Will Geer	...	Harold Ferguson
Gilbert Green	...	Paulitz
John Anderson	...	Halliday
Paul Carr	...	Gunman (Chris) - Team A
Colby Chester	...	Tim
Ed Lauter	...	Operations Chief - Team A
Walter Brooke	...	Smythe
John Brascia	...	Rifleman - Team B
Richard Bull	...	Gunman - Team A
Sidney Clute	...	Depository Clerk
Deanna Darrin	...	Stripper
Lee Delano	...	Gunman - Team A
Lloyd Gough	...	Charlie McCadden

Storyline

This fictionalized speculation posits that a covert group of rogue intelligence agents, ultra-conservative politicians, unscrupulously greedy business interests, and free-lance assassins become increasingly alarmed at President Kennedy's policies, including his views on race relations, winding down the Viet Nam War, and ending the oil depletion allowance. They decide to terminate him through an "executive action" utilizing two teams of well-trained snipers during JFK's visit to Dallas and place the blame on supposed CIA operative Lee Harvey Oswald as the lone assassin.

---

Plot Keywords:

assassin | president | lee harvey oswald | cia | assassination | 

---

Taglines:

The schemers... the plotters... and the hush men behind the assassination of an American president.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | History | Thriller

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 1973 (USA)

Also Known As:

Unternehmen Staatsgewalt

Filming Locations:

380 South San Rafael Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wakeford / Orloff

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the restaurant, a Pepsi clock is shown with the slogan "The Pepsi Generation," but in June of 1963 Pepsi's slogan was "Say Pepsi, Please... For Those Who Think Young." The "(Come Alive!) You're in Pepsi Generation" only began later that year.

---

Quotes

Oswald Imposter: If I was a doctor, and I wanted to give the world an enema, I'd stick the nozzle right here in Dallas, Texas.

---

Connections

Features Nix Film of Kennedy Assassination (1963)

User Reviews

Well done examination of JFK assassination conspiracy.

Although as I recall, this film did not do well in theatres, but it is every bit as good as Oliver Stone's JFK. Obviously, the producers did not have Stone's clout. A strong cast makes this a very believable account of how JFK was set up. Executive Action did not have JFK's budget, nor was it as fancy, but the message was very clear. Conspiracy at the highest levels of government, business and the intelligence community coupled with a believable cast. Burt Lancaster and Robert Ryan are very effective and the principle planners. If I remember correctly, this was Ryan's last film. Under-rated, this movie is a must see for all.