Debuting in November of 1983, this mini-series was a three-night event. Out of all the "JFK & Jackie" T.V. movies-of-the-week, this is by far the best. Rising head and shoulders above the pack, this production has it all -- namely, the best cast. Though, not a dead-ringer for JFK, Martin Sheen turns in an Emmy worthy performance, capturing the tanned look of JFK, and has the Boston accent down to a "T". The only thing Blair Brown does not capture is Jackie's breathless, whisper of a voice, but she has the look and the attitude of Jackie, which is worth more. The movie spans the period of JFK's election to his assassination and includes every big historical event during his presidency in between. However, the opening scene of "Part 2" includes some of the most violent and graphic racial violence I have ever seen in a film -- before or since. Very shocking to be included in a T.V. film from 1983, to be sure, but it definitely makes its point to those not familiar to how the times were. (I burst into tears the first time I saw this part.) Some films stop short of re-enacting the actual assassination, but it is shown here in graphic detail (down to the blood spraying across Jackie's face) -- definitely a scene to be applauded by assassination buffs -- this movie is surely not given credit for it's deft attention to detail and dedication to historical accuracy. An emotional experience for both those who lived during these events, and others who only heard about them later, but one that should be required in all middle-school history classes in America.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
