The Missiles of October (TV 1974)

Based in part on Robert F. Kennedy's book, "Thirteen Days," this film profiles the Kennedy Administration's actions during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Director:

Anthony Page

Writers:

Stanley R. Greenberg, Robert F. Kennedy (book)

Stars:

William Devane, Ralph Bellamy, Howard Da Silva

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 8 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
William Devane	...	President John F. Kennedy
Ralph Bellamy	...	U.N. Ambassador Adlai Stevenson
Howard Da Silva	...	Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev
James Hong	...	U.N. Secretary-General U Thant
Martin Sheen	...	Att. Gen. Robert F. Kennedy
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
James T. Callahan	...	David Powers, Special Assistant to the President
Peter Canon	...	Admiral's Aide
Keene Curtis	...	John McCone, Director CIA
Charles Cyphers	...	Press Photographer
Clifford David	...	Theodore Sorensen, Special Counsel
Francis De Sales	...	Senator
John Dehner	...	Former Secretary of State Dean Acheson
Peter Donat	...	David Ormsby-Gore, British Ambassador to U.S.
Andrew Duggan	...	Gen. Maxwell Taylor, Army Chief of Staff
Richard Eastham	...	Gen. David M. Shoup, USMC Commandant

Storyline

Based in part on Robert F. Kennedy's book, "Thirteen Days," this film profiles the Kennedy Administration's actions during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

---

Plot Keywords:

cuban missile crisis | missile | month in title | diplomat | politics | 

---

Genres:

Drama | History | Thriller

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 December 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

13 päivää, jotka järkyttivät maailmaa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Maljack Productions, Viacom Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Three key actors in this film went on the play the president elsewhere: Ralph Bellamy played Franklin Roosevelt in War and Remembrance in 1988 and Martin Sheen played the fictional Josiah Bartlett in The West Wing. All three presidents were Democrats, all three actors are Democrats. William Devane played a fictional President Hayes of the US on "Stargate: SG-1" (2004).

---

Goofs

President Kennedy's address to the nation is shown as being made from the Oval Office, with the windows behind the President's desk visible in the TV picture. While the actual address did originate from that location, a neutral gray backdrop was placed behind the President's chair, so none of the real background is visible in the tape of the actual telecast.

---

Quotes

Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev: [thinking about President Kennedy on the other side of the world, before being interrupted again] Just now, I work and he sleeps. Then, he works and I sleep.
[pauses]
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev: Perhaps soon we both sleep...

---

Connections

Version of Thirteen Days (2000)

User Reviews

Riveting behind the scenes drama about the Cuban missile crisis.

A must-see depiction of the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. Focusing mostly on the Kennedy administration, this made-for-TV movie captures all the tension and emotion occurring inside the White House. It gives a real insider's view of how the American government operates. It also takes you inside the Kremlin giving you a glimpse how both sides dealt with the crisis. William Devane and Martin Sheen give excellent performances as Jack and Bobby Kennedy. The entire cast is top-notch. Don't bother with Thirteen Days, it pales by comparison. This is the real deal.