JFK Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A New Orleans DA gets way too into JFK’s death, blames everyone but pigeons, and the truth is still locked up tighter than Fort Knox.

🍿 JFK: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Assassination

On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Lee Harvey Oswald is quickly apprehended but is himself murdered days later by Jack Ruby. These events ignite a wave of questions and conspiracy theories.

Garrison’s Investigation Begins

New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) becomes increasingly skeptical of the official Warren Commission report. He assembles a team to investigate potential inconsistencies and uncover the truth behind the assassination. Garrison’s team starts uncovering possible links between Oswald and various figures in New Orleans.

Unraveling the Conspiracy

Garrison’s investigation takes him down a complex rabbit hole of potential conspirators, including David Ferrie (Joe Pesci) and Clay Shaw (Tommy Lee Jones). He uncovers evidence suggesting a wider plot involving the CIA, military-industrial complex, and anti-Castro Cubans. Garrison struggles against powerful forces seeking to discredit his investigation.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner): The determined New Orleans District Attorney who investigates the Kennedy assassination, questioning the official Warren Commission report.
• Lee Harvey Oswald (Gary Oldman): The alleged assassin of President Kennedy, whose motives and actions are central to the conspiracy theories explored.
• David Ferrie (Joe Pesci): A pilot with connections to Oswald and the anti-Castro Cuban exiles, implicated in the conspiracy.
• Clay Shaw (Tommy Lee Jones): A New Orleans businessman accused by Garrison of being involved in the conspiracy under the alias ‘Clay Bertrand’.
• Senator Long (Walter Matthau): A senator who was supporting Garrison during his investigations of the assassination.
• Jack Martin (Jack Lemmon): The one who admitted that Guy was training David Ferrie and a bunch of Cuban exiles for another Bay of Pigs type invasion.
• Mr. X (Donald Sutherland): A high-level Washington insider who provides Garrison with key information about a widespread conspiracy.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jim Garrison: “The magic bullet. The second gunman. How could the Warren Commission miss this? Because they didn’t want to see it.” – Garrison explains why he believes the Warren Commission’s findings are flawed.
• Mr. X: “Follow the money. It’ll lead you to the truth.” – Mr. X gives Garrison advice on how to uncover the conspiracy.
• Jim Garrison: “Is anything more important than the truth?” – Garrison emphasizes the importance of seeking the truth, regardless of the consequences.
• Jim Garrison: “We’ve all become Hamlets in our country, children, wondering ‘what to do’, ‘whether to be’, ‘whether to act’, paralyzed by the sense that we live in a world where nothing is necessarily as it appears.” – Garrison’s closing argument during the trial, reflecting on the state of the nation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $70,405,498
• Worldwide Gross: $205,405,498

💥 JFK Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing ‘JFK’ in the theater and being completely blown away. It’s a long movie, but I was hooked from start to finish. The way Stone mixed historical footage with the fictional narrative was seamless. The film just ignited a fire in me. This movie made me feel like I wanted to get out there and find out the truth about JFK’s assassination, even though I was just a kid at the time.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “History buffs”
  • “Conspiracy theory enthusiasts”
  • “Fans of political thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in American history and government”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Oliver Stone’s ‘JFK’ is a sprawling, ambitious, and ultimately gripping cinematic investigation into the Kennedy assassination. While its historical accuracy remains debated, the film’s sheer power and compelling narrative are undeniable. Costner delivers a career-defining performance.
• Variety: “Controversial and compelling, ‘JFK’ is a cinematic tour-de-force from Oliver Stone. The film masterfully blends fact and fiction, creating a thought-provoking exploration of the Kennedy assassination. The performances, especially from the supporting cast, are uniformly excellent.
• RogerEbert.com: “Oliver Stone’s JFK is a sprawling and ambitious film. It argues persuasively that the Warren Commission’s report was a fraud. Whether it goes too far in constructing its own counter-narrative is up to the viewer to decide.

Audience Reactions

The all-star cast truly brought the story to life, especially Costner’s powerful performance as Jim Garrison.: Viewers were captivated by the film’s compelling conspiracy theories and Stone’s masterful direction.

John William’s music was so touching: Viewers felt it was a truly moving music score

Overall Consensus: ‘JFK’ remains a highly debated but undeniably powerful film that sparks discussion and keeps viewers engaged despite its length.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Cinematography)- 1992
2. Academy Award (Best Film Editing)- 1992

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The murder of Oswald by Jack Ruby was filmed on location in the actual basement garage of Dallas City Hall, where the real-life shooting took place.”
• “Oliver Stone used a mix of actual footage and recreations, often intercutting them seamlessly to create a sense of authenticity and immediacy.”
• “John Williams wrote themes for the film before it was even shot, influencing the editing process as Stone cut the film to fit the music.”

🖥️ How to Watch JFK?

As a historical drama and thriller, JFK is widely available across various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options. Physical copies, including Blu-ray and DVD, are also available for purchase through online retailers like Amazon and at major stores. Availability may vary by region, so check local listings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed JFK, you might like these similar films:

• All the President’s Men (1976): Similar investigative journalism focus, uncovering a political scandal.
• Z (1969): Political thriller based on a real-life assassination and subsequent cover-up.
• The Parallax View (1974): Paranoid thriller dealing with political assassinations and conspiracy.
• Spotlight (2015): Modern film about journalists uncovering a major scandal, similar to Garrison’s pursuit of the truth.

🛒 JFK Related Products

• JFK: The Book of the Film: The official companion to Oliver Stone’s JFK with the complete screenplay.
• JFK (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray): Experience the film in stunning 4K Ultra HD resolution with enhanced audio and visual quality. Includes special features and bonus content.
• American Conspiracies: JFK, 9/11, and Other Unresolved Enigmas: A book that analyzes conspiracies and other Unresolved Enigmas.
• Oliver Stone Collection (Blu-ray): A Collection of Oliver Stone’s movies.

🎧 Soundtrack

JFK features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Theme from JFK” – performed by John Williams
• “The Motorcade” – performed by John Williams
• “Drummers’ Salute” – performed by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Oliver Stone on the JFK Assassination Cover-up

In this intriguing clip from the Joe Rogan Experience, Oliver Stone, director of the iconic film JFK, shares his thoughts on the assassination and its enduring legacy. His unique perspective adds depth to our understanding of the events that unfolded that fateful day.

Testing Joe Rogan’s JFK Bullet Theory

Ever wondered about the infamous ‘magic bullet’ theory? This engaging video puts it to the test using ballistic dummies, giving you a unique and visually compelling perspective on a crucial JFK assassination detail.

Why people think this photo of JFK’s killer is fake

Join Vox on a captivating journey into the realm of photographic evidence. This video examines the famous image of Lee Harvey Oswald and the rifle, delving into its authenticity and the mysteries that surround it.

Who Was the Umbrella Man? | JFK Assassination Documentary | The New York Times

The enigmatic ‘Umbrella Man’ from the JFK assassination remains a puzzle. This thought-provoking New York Times documentary delves into the theories and speculations surrounding this mysterious figure, inviting you to ponder the unanswered questions that linger.

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