Kennedy

Rating:
Summary: ONE OF TV'S BEST MINI-SERIES
Review: Having already mastered RFK in 1975's THE MISSLES OF OCTOBER, it was only logical that Martin Sheen step up to the role he was seemingly born to play in what has proved to be one of the best mini-series ever produced. KENNEDY is a believable docu-drama that stays true to the 1000 day historical record. What's very commendable is Jim Goddard staying away in mass from the soap opera element of JFK's now much publicized adultery and the blind eye turned (to it) by his wife, staff and family. Vincent Gardinia offers memory burn as J. Edgar Hoover, just as Sheen does with JFK. The final ride through Dealy Plaza is horrific.

Rating:
Summary: Totally accurate or not, top notch drama
Review: I strongly urge you to begin your view of the DVD International release of "Kennedy" with Part 3 at the start of the second disc. Here we relivewhat we went through when Cuba was armed with missiles by the Soviet Union and Kennedy was reported to have done what he could to prevent a knee-jerk invasion of the island as some were advocating. It is simply chilling to have seen that sequence at this time in our country's history. (This is being written one month after Sept. 11, 2001.)

This five-hour film appeared on NBC as a special in 1983. I cannot vouch for the absolute accuracy of the events reproduced here or certainly not for the characterizations. The private conversations are, of course, to be taken as historical fiction; but the acting is on such a high level that one can readily believe these very words were spoken at the times portrayed in the film.

Martin Sheen makes a totally crdible "Jack" Kennedy, although he seems to be alone in his family for having that famous accent. He is hardly ever off-screen and has been directed to show the character, if not warts and all, at least as a human being trying to juggle several insurmountable problems (civil rights, Viet Nam, Cuba, and J. Edgar Hoover) all at once. His womanizing is reduced to a single female voice on a telephone; and Marilyn Monroe is mentioned only once in another context. His constant statements that he "cannot" remove Hoover from the FBI seem to imply many other skeletons in his closet, but this is interpretation.

Hoover (Vincent Gardenia) is shown as a cross between Ming the Merciless and something out of "Star Wars," totally obsessed as he is with gaining power of the country by having files on just about every one of consequence. His own perversions, explicit in future film recreations, are here only implied.

The Bobby Kennedy of John Shea is your all-American that even Hoover cannot fault morally although the latter will keep insisting that Organized Crime does not exist in America. E.G. Marshall and Geraldine Fiztgerald make a fine Joseph and Rose Kennedy, both unable (like most parents) to see anything negative about their children or anything positive about any of their opponents.

Blair Brown's Jackie in this script seems simply an airhead, more concerned with buying expensive gowns and redecorating a White House that will not hold her for more than 1000 days. Perhaps the real woman was like this; I do not know. But Brown does a marvelous job playing a vacuous fashion-plate whose popularity often exceeded that of her husband.

The scenes of how Blacks and Freedom Riders were treated down south are nauseatingly graphic; and I plan never to watch that part of this video again. There MUST have been some citizens of those states who did not think or act in that barbaric way, but they are noticeably absent from these sequences.

You will be interested in comparing the four special features with the film's versions of them: The Inaugural Address, One Day in Berlin, The Last Two Days (the Dallas trip), and One Week in October (the Missile Crisis). In the last case, the film handles the matter more satisfactorily.

What is best about the film is its apparent objectivity. I did not see any halos around anyone's head; but the horns on the Soviet Ambassador and J. Edgar Hoover were fairly prominent. Superior viewing from DVDI.

Rating:
Summary: History and Entertainment
Review: It's wonderful to have this five-hour mini-series complete and on DVD. Prior to this release, a VHS version of the program (squeezed onto one tape) edited out at least half an hour of the show. This presentation is a two-disc release that has parts one and two on disc one and part three and the 75 or so minutes of documentary footage on disc two. The mini-series itself is very well done and surprisingly poignant considering it was first broadcast in 1983. Martin Sheen's accent, while at first startling and seemingly exaggerated, is actually brilliant and spot-on 99% of the time. He is the best "John F. Kennedy" I have ever seen portrayed, hands down.

My only complaint (and this might be isolated to my own Sony DVD player) is that the picture occasionally slows and then speeds up. This is not like a dual-layer pause but an actual slowing of the film and then a burst of speed to "catch up." It is only slightly irritating and does not warrant you not purchasing it, since it is only a minor problem. Overall, I was quite surprised to see the film and audio to be as crisp and vibrant as it appears. I can't help but guess that this DVD is a great deal better than having watched the original broadcast in 1983. And yes, it is expensive...but you are getting over six hours of material.

Rating:
Summary: History and Entertainment
Review: It's wonderful to have this five-hour mini-series complete and on DVD. Prior to this release, a VHS version of the program (squeezed onto one tape) edited out at least half an hour of the show. This presentation is a two-disc release that has parts one and two on disc one and part three and the 75 or so minutes of documentary footage on disc two. The mini-series itself is very well done and surprisingly poignant considering it was first broadcast in 1983. Martin Sheen's accent, while at first startling and seemingly exaggerated, is actually brilliant and spot-on 99% of the time. He is the best "John F. Kennedy" I have ever seen portrayed, hands down.

My only complaint (and this might be isolated to my own Sony DVD player) is that the picture occasionally slows and then speeds up. This is not like a dual-layer pause but an actual slowing of the film and then a burst of speed to "catch up." It is only slightly irritating and does not warrant you not purchasing it, since it is only a minor problem. Overall, I was quite surprised to see the film and audio to be as crisp and vibrant as it appears. I can't help but guess that this DVD is a great deal better than having watched the original broadcast in 1983. And yes, it is expensive...but you are getting over six hours of material.

Rating:
Summary: best Kennedy impersonation ever
Review: Martin Sheen plays an excellent John Kennedy in the 1983 mini-series, Kennedy. he's got the voice of John Kennedy down almost to perfection.

the DVD version is great. you get additional footage such as JFK's Inaugural Address, One Day in Berlin, One Week in October, and The Last Two Days.

throughout the mini-series you see the tension between Hoover and both Jack and Bobby, you go along on the campaign trail with JFK, right up until the shots are fired in Dallas.
good mini-series.
i surley enjoyed watching all of it.

Rating:
Summary: For JFK Fans, A Must-have Product!
Review: This 2-disc DVD set is outstanding. I recall seeing this mini-series when it originally aired in November 1983, exactly 20 years after JFK's tragic assassination. It's now great to have it available on DVD. All the major elements that made up the presidency of John F. Kennedy are explored very nicely during this five-hour series, including the Bay Of Pigs invasion of April 1961 and the ultra-frightening Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. For me, a major reason I purchased this product was due to the extra bonus features included on Disc 2. Here, we get to see the real JFK in action, in a series of documentaries. These extras total 75 minutes, making this 2-disc package a completely absorbing and satisfying experience for anyone who wants to look back into history at one of the most popular men ever to occupy The White House.

Rating:
Summary: Very high quality experience
Review: This is a mini-series that I think is worth coming back to time and again. Martin Sheen does a fabulous job of playing JFK. The series itself continues to surprise despite repeated viewings of trying to show everyone in the most realistic light possible, without sacrificing the narrative arc or the need for entertainment.

It is amazing to me how action packed the 1000 days of the Kennedy administration were and how wide ranging and far ranging the issues that were tackled - i) nuclear war, ii) soviet expansionism, iii) civil rights, iv) space technology advances, v) industry/labor relations etc.

Given later movies and writing on Lyndon Johnson, I wondered if he was shown in a more than unflattering light in this series, or if this was how the Kenndy's viewed LBJ.

Finally, the dialog, script, casting and acting are absolutely top notch and credible.

The extras, as other revieweres have pointed out are absorbing. Watching President Kenney deliver the Inaugral address is a singularly inspiring experience.

A rare gem.





Rating:
Summary: Kennedy: The Mini-series
Review: This is the way to view this mini-series. It is really nice to have it on DVD, as it gives it to you in a compact package. Parts One & Two are on the first DVD, with Part 3 and the bonus extras on on the second. I only have one problem with the set, and that is the lack of subtitling in English or any foreign languages.

The mini-series covers the 1000 days of the Kennedy administration. The omnipresence of J. Edgar Hoover gives it an air of mystery and intrigue. It is very well cast and Martin Sheen makes a good president. (I honestly think Mr. Sheen has more Oval Office time than several of our real presidents.)

My other recommendations : If you do not yet own the DVD of "The Missiles of October" - the TV version from the early 1970's with Martin Sheen as Robert Kennedy and William Devane as JFK, make it a double order.

But if you want to freak yourself out: Get a copy of "The Dead Zone" from 1983. If you are a fan of Martin Sheen, you may find yourself a little disturbed by his character of Greg Stillson - but you will probably let out a chuckle or two - especially if you are a fan of "The West Wing."

Rating:
Summary: Excellent account of one of our greatest presidents
Review: This movie, first shown on NBC in Nov. '83 to coincide with the anniversary of of JFK's death, is a great tribute to the man, his times and his legacy. Brilliantly portrayed by Martin Sheen, JFK comes to life on the small screen, and Blair Brown gives a great performance as First Lady Jackie. This DVD is the COMPLETE version of the 3 part miniseries that was originally aired on tv.
All in all, GREAT release for the DVD format. From Election Night to Assassination, the film tells the whole story of Kennedy's presidency. Not to be missed!