Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot (TV 2001)

They were more than Washington wives. They were part of an American dream known as Camelot. With strength and cunning they upheld their public image by concealing their private truths. ... See full summary »

Director:

Larry Shaw

Writers:

J. Randy Taraborrelli (book), David Stevens (teleplay)

Stars:

Jill Hennessy, Lauren Holly, Leslie Stefanson

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jill Hennessy	...	Jackie Kennedy
Lauren Holly	...	Ethel Kennedy
Leslie Stefanson	...	Joan Kennedy
Daniel Hugh Kelly	...	John F. Kennedy
Robert Knepper	...	Robert F. Kennedy
Matt Letscher	...	Ted Kennedy
Harve Presnell	...	Joe Kennedy
Charmion King	...	Rose Kennedy
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Russ Baker	...	Honor Guard Lieutenant
Paula Barrett	...	Woman in Garden
Steve Behal	...	Reporter #1
Wayne Best	...	George Smathers
Walker Boone	...	Steve Clark
Chris Britton	...	Ted's Doctor (as Christopher Britton)
Catherine Bruce	...	Sister Mary Leo

Storyline

They were more than Washington wives. They were part of an American dream known as Camelot. With strength and cunning they upheld their public image by concealing their private truths. Jackie, Ethel and Joan had little choice. They were Kennedy women. What really unfolded behind the monolith of Kennedy power is revealed for the first time: the true story of the Kennedy reign told through the eyes of the three women who lived it.

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Plot Keywords:

camelot | power | horse riding | political family | friendship between women | 

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Taglines:

They Were More Than Washington Wives

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Kennedy Women

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Entertainment, Just Singer Entertainment, Women of Camelot Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

163 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene where members of the Kennedy family are watching a fictionalized Joan Kennedy speaking in Berlin, the real Joan Kennedy appears on the left.

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Goofs

About 10 minutes into Part I, there is a scene set at Hyannis Port when JFK takes Jackie to "the Cape" to meet his parents. Although this is supposed to take place in 1953, there is a 1959 Cadillac parked in front of the beach house.

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Quotes

Rose Kennedy: What are you girls gossiping about?
Jackie Kennedy: Ethel and I were just talking about how well Bobby sleeps. Jackie and Ethel are smirking.

User Reviews

A great opportunity badly missed...

I can't recall having ever given any film, mini-series or TV series a '1' out of 10 before... and sadly I can't here. There is just barely enough good here to warrant a '4'. However, if ever any production deserved it, this one probably does. The casting is, for the most part, abominable. The acting is generally stiff and unsure. The attempts at accents are atrocious and laughable. The portrayal of Marilyn Monroe is bizarrely comic at best and insulting to both Monroe and the audience at worst.

Jill Hennessy does have a few solid moments as Jackie, but not nearly enough to carry this painfully disjointed soap opera. Lauren Holly's Ethel would be more believable in a trailer park than Washington and Hyannisport. Leslie Stefanson's Joan is interesting and is easily the best of the three women's portrayals.

The portrayal's of the Kennedy men are all weak and unconvincing. The only plus with the Kennedy men is that they are not on screen very often.

Historically, it runs wild with rumor, innuendo, supposition and ignores many facts as they have been recorded by serious and knowledgeable historians. Sadly what could have been a tastefully done classic instead just reeks of the two-bit paperback hacks who wrote this tripe.

I will say that the 2nd half of this mini-series is distinctly better than the first half. Unfortunately, by the time the 2nd half rolls around, it's way too late to save it overall.

Another issue it has that seriously detracts from it coming across as a quality production is a very strong sense of being constantly 'rushed'. It literally speeds from one tragedy to another with no opportunity for the viewer to take in any real sense of sorrow. Oddly enough, despite my feeling that this isn't a very good production as it is, I think it would have probably benefit from an additional 90 minutes. This would have allowed the viewer a real chance to get to know and empathize with the characters.

One exceptional line does rise above all others in this otherwise dismal program and it is delivered by Charmion King (as Rose Kennedy): "Great men have great flaws. It takes great women to accept them." This is as close as this film ever comes to being anything close to great.

For those who want a strong, clear sense of some of this subject matter with first rate acting, writing and true 'Camelot' style, watch 'Kennedy', the 1983 production with Martin Sheen and Blair Brown. Sheen is very strong as Kennedy and Blair Brown is nothing short of brilliant as Jackie. The supporting cast is exceptional. The only serious weakness of that production is Vincent Gardenia's over the top portrayal of J Edgar Hoover. This is now available on DVD.

In closing, all I can say is that with this much incredible material how could those involved have made... this?