Virtual JFK: Vietnam If Kennedy Had Lived (2008)

VIRTUAL JFK investigates one of the most debated "what if" scenarios in the history of U.S. foreign policy: What would President John F. Kennedy have done in Vietnam if he had not been ... See full summary »

Director:

Koji Masutani

Writer:

Koji Masutani

Stars:

John F. Kennedy

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
John F. Kennedy	...	Himself (archive footage)

Storyline

VIRTUAL JFK investigates one of the most debated "what if" scenarios in the history of U.S. foreign policy: What would President John F. Kennedy have done in Vietnam if he had not been assassinated in 1963, and had he been re-elected in 1964? The film employs what Harvard historian Niall Ferguson calls "virtual history," assessing the plausibility of counterfactuals - "what ifs" - and the outcomes they might have produced. The heart of the film deals with the question: Does it matter who is president on issues of war and peace?

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Plot Keywords:

what if | john f kennedy | bay of pigs | cuban missile crisis | archive footage | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 September 2008 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Global Media Project, Sven Kahn Films, Watson Institute for International Studies, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

A very well made piece of 'what if' history

The truth of the matter is Kennedy's presidency lasted but only 1000 days.

In that brief time, one president was put in a position 6 times of using military force - the first, being almost immediately after his inauguration.

I think the makers of this film did Kennedy's legacy proud.

It's not so much 'what if,' but, 'how did he respond before' that's asked., and what makes this film's portrayal of Kennedy had he lived, so riveting.

While Kennedy's presidency was brief, in a way, it served to preserve his legacy, as it wasn't long enough to become tarnished by such events as the unfolding Vietnam war.

I would recommend this to anyone interested in learning about leadership - a quality that's sorely lacking in the politicians of the current time, who - instead of working for OUR common good, bicker.

This shows that the conflicts and crises of this world don't stop - and that something as bad - or much worse - faces us every day.

This is one leader who we're given a glimpse into seeing 'what if,' and it saddens and surprises.