Rating: 
Summary: Superb historical drama. Worthwhile and powerful.
Review: There is very little to criticize about this dramatization of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The film mainly focuses on the deliberations on the American side, i.e. President John F. Kennedy and his Ex-Comm group ("Executive Committee of the National Security Council") as they try to force the Soviets to remove the missiles from Cuba while avoiding a nuclear conflict. The film successfully conveys the fears and difficulties faced by JFK and his team, their thoughts and deliberations. The script is fairly close to the actual facts as they are understood today. This is a wonderfully educational production that any parent would do well to watch with his or her children. Devane is pretty good as JFK. I thought that Martin Sheen absolutely nailed Bobby Kennedy. The supporting actors were uniformly excellent. Good casting throughout. One of the excellent things about the production is the occasional interjection of period news bulletins of nuclear tests, the escalating conflict, etc. These added a wonderful sense of authenticity even as they entertained. A few quibbles, all minor. I thought that the movie somewhat (not excessively) idolized the Kennedys. It was a bit much when one member of Ex Comm commented that "Bobby [Kennedy] I confess your moral arguments [against invading Cuba] never occurred to me..." Come on, of course they did. The record shows that Ex Comm debated these issues extensively. Nor was Bobby Kennedy against invading Cuba--the record is pretty clear that both Kennedys had been pushing for removing Castro by various means before the crisis began. Bobby Kennedy's comment that bombing the missiles out of Cuba would be like a "reverse Pearl Harbor" was disdained as amateurish by most of Ex Comm. The movie barely acknowledges that. [Dean Acheson characterizes that analogy to JFK at one point as "false and pejorative..."]. The movie portrays the US Navy as lusting after conflict in a manner I thought was unseemly--this was my only major criticism of the film. ["Thirteen Days" shares this flaw.] Hollywood often cannot pass up a chance to take a swipe at the military. This is an incredibly worthwhile production that I make a point of watching every year or so. A must for the thoughtful viewer's DVD collection.
Rating:
Summary: Superb historical drama. Worthwhile and powerful.
Review: There is very little to criticize about this dramatization of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The film mainly focuses on the deliberations on the American side, i.e. President John F. Kennedy and his Ex-Comm group ("Executive Committee of the National Security Council") as they try to force the Soviets to remove the missiles from Cuba while avoiding a nuclear conflict. The film successfully conveys the fears and difficulties faced by JFK and his team, their thoughts and deliberations. The script is fairly close to the actual facts as they are understood today. This is a wonderfully educational production that any parent would do well to watch with his or her children. Devane is pretty good as JFK. I thought that Martin Sheen absolutely nailed Bobby Kennedy. The supporting actors were uniformly excellent. Good casting throughout. One of the excellent things about the production is the occasional interjection of period news bulletins of nuclear tests, the escalating conflict, etc. These added a wonderful sense of authenticity even as they entertained. A few quibbles, all minor. I thought that the movie somewhat (not excessively) idolized the Kennedys. It was a bit much when one member of Ex Comm commented that "Bobby [Kennedy] I confess your moral arguments [against invading Cuba] never occurred to me..." Come on, of course they did. The record shows that Ex Comm debated these issues extensively. Nor was Bobby Kennedy against invading Cuba--the record is pretty clear that both Kennedys had been pushing for removing Castro by various means before the crisis began. Bobby Kennedy's comment that bombing the missiles out of Cuba would be like a "reverse Pearl Harbor" was disdained as amateurish by most of Ex Comm. The movie barely acknowledges that. [Dean Acheson characterizes that analogy to JFK at one point as "false and pejorative..."]. The movie portrays the US Navy as lusting after conflict in a manner I thought was unseemly--this was my only major criticism of the film. ["Thirteen Days" shares this flaw.] Hollywood often cannot pass up a chance to take a swipe at the military. This is an incredibly worthwhile production that I make a point of watching every year or so. A must for the thoughtful viewer's DVD collection.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Thermo Nuclear War. Unthinkable, huh?
Well, as a former Air Force Command and Control Specialist with Top Secret security clearance, I can tell you that America is always in a state of war, whether it be overt i.e. Iraq, or covert i.e. the cold war we are in with China.
American men and women working for agencies like the National Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security, and the infamous Central Intelligence Agency, are in a constant battle against espionage, theft of Top Secret information, the theft of weapons and weapon systems, and the threat of germ warfare. Most Americans didn't know numerous Russian submarines were just off our shores, awaiting orders to launch their missiles.
The Missiles of October is a dramatization of the Cuban Missile Crisis and delivers a gripping peek into the inner workings of Whitehouse policy when world events, which are shaky at best, take us to the brink of colossal destruction. While the thought of nuclear war can be terrifying, just remember, America avoided World War III. Hopefully the situation in Iraq will not escalate and put our current Commander in Chief in the same situation as John F. Kennedy.
Rating: 
Summary: A History Buff's Film
Review: This 1973 teleplay dramatizes in an excellent fashion the events of October, 1962, when the United States and the Soviet Union came to the brink of nuclear war over the deployment of Soviet nuclear missiles to Cuba. In almost documentary fashion, the film depicts the emotionally-charged process by which President Kennedy (William Devane) and his advisors tried to determine the American response that would get the missiles out of Cuba but avoid a nuclear war. Less attention (probably due to a lack of authoritative sources) is given to the reactions of Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev (Howard da Silva), though the Soviet viewpoint is by no means ignored. For those who would like a detailed look at one of the most dangerous times in world history, I highly recommend this movie.
Rating:
Summary: A Magnificent Living History
Review: This 1974 TV movie is much more that simply a TV movie; it takes you inside the White House during the most dangerous time in history- when we came closest to nuclear war. Tension builds as Kennedy (William Davane) considers options, and fights internal advise which almost certainly would have led to war against the Soviet Union. Howard da Silva is wonderful as he humanizes the Russian Premier, evan as he battles long-distance with the President. Unfortunately, every time I ordered this DVD from Amazon, they failed to give me anything other than a defective product. Returns are a hassle since they fail to acknowledge receipt; and getting a check back is virtually impossible. Talking to a person is totally impossible.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Recreation
Review: This drama is engrossing, entertaining and educational. The performances, especially William Devane's as J.F.K., are so precise that the movie seems more like documentary footage. This video is an excellent choice for anyone who is interested in history and great drama.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent...Gripping...And True!
Review: This film is proof that history, if just presented intelligently and dramatically, can be great entertainment! Anyone who has the slightest interest in politics, war, current affairs...in short, any thinking person who does not believe that TV viewing must begin and end with the likes of "Friends" should see this film at least once in their lives. The acting is first rate, the script taught and well paced, and the drama is real...not the fake drama you get from computer generated graphics. Proof that the interaction between real life people and nations can be much more thrilling than with dinosaurs. Again, this is a trully outstanding film - one of those that you will always remember, and want to see again. Favorite scene - Howard Da Silva (as Kruschev) trying to talk the rest of the ruling Presidium out of attempting to further test President Kennedy's nerve: "Are you prepared for war?" he asks. "Are you prepared for total destruction? Give me an answer! "Please, see this movie - you will not be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Good Job
Review: This is the best Kennedy movie I have ever seen. It is, as it says, the most powerful docudrama ever made. The actors in this DVD are very believable...I saw the Missiles of October on British Television when I was in the Air Force in 1974. Why did I buy it now? After seeing Kevin Costner's watered-down version of the Cuban missile crisis story in Thirteen Days...I knew I had to have this one.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: This movie is a very good and historically accurate portrayal of the Cuban Missle Crisis. If you liked "13 Days" then you will like this one, in some ways I like this one over 13 Days. It shows what is happening in both the Kremlin as well as the White House. Missiles is very well acted by a great cast. I would recomend this to any history buff, or anyone simply looking for an entertaining drama.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie
Review: This movie is a very good and historically accurate portrayal of the Cuban Missle Crisis. If you liked "13 Days" then you will like this one, in some ways I like this one over 13 Days. It shows what is happening in both the Kremlin as well as the White House. Missiles is very well acted by a great cast. I would recomend this to any history buff, or anyone simply looking for an entertaining drama.
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