Kennedy

Whenever I read books about the Kennedys and their Washington contemporaries I sometimes visualize each one as they were portrayed in this excellent mini series.

The casting was ideal. Martin Sheen, in particular, as JFK ... the voice, the look, the mannerisms ... there were times when the archival footage of the man himself and Sheen the actor almost became one.

The story never ceased to be anything other than utterly compelling.

Strong support from the likes of Vincent Gardenia and E.G Marshall ensured success.

Period detail was occasionally allowed to lapse (for example, cars from a much later period could be clearly seen on the roads in several exterior scenes). But generally quite riveting.

I waited a long time for this mini-series to come to VHS, and even longer for it to hit DVD! Whenever I see a portrayal of a member of the Kennedy family in film or on TV, this is the film I compare it to, and this film comes out on top every time! Martin Sheen is not JFK's physical twin, but his speech patterns are perfect. Blair Brown delivers the best portrayal of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy you're likely to see, ever. The supporting cast is great, as well. I think only "Thirteen Days" ranks with the supporting cast portrayals, but Sheen's JFK is far and away the best on film!

Anyone interested in the Kennedy clan would enjoy and learn a lot from this film!

I saw this on the 40th anniversary of the Kennedy assasination and found it very interesting and timely.

As I understand, this movie first came out in 1983, before the publication of the book 'The Dark Side of Camelot' by Hersh. I wonder if it would be different had it come out after this book.

I watched the Kennedy Miniseries last Saturday on the History Channel. Blair Brown made a perfect Jackie Kennedy in very way but voice. She recreated that presence. I also loved watching Ellen Parker, a New York Stage actress and Guiding Light Emmy Winner as Mrs. Bobby Kennedy. Geraldine Fitzgerald made the perfect choice to play Rose Kennedy in every way. She should have won an Emmy for it. Martin Sheen really perfected the Boston accent and was the perfect choice to play a President many years later on the West Wing. Even Kelsey Grammar had a bit part. I enjoyed Vincent Gardenia's performance as J. Edgar Hoover (They should change the name of the FBI building because of him). I now really believe that he had something to do with the Kennedy assassinations. Overall, the seven hours flew by. Everything appeared near perfect. I am giving it a 9 because I think it could have used some editing but it is still worth watching any day. I also give it a 9 because I think they left out some scandalous activity in the Kennedy family. I think the world loves the Kennedys because they America's unofficial royal family. Now that they are so few of them, it makes us miss them ever more.

This may well be the definitive "Kennedy" film in terms of historical accuracy and honesty, positing forth the best and less-than-best of this so-called Camelot administration. Martin Sheen is, as usual, outstanding in the title role, and his Kennedy not only bares his fallacies but impresses an honest sense of public service. As the former first lady, Blair Brown is nothing less than superb, and her Jacqueline Kennedy is eerily touching, especially with her voiced-over prophecy of her "appointment with death." Together, Sheen and Blair actually generate the sense of youth and glamour that distinquished the real administration. They are more than aptly backed up by a stellar supporting cast headed by John Shea (RKF), E.G. Marshall (Joe Sr.) and the late Vincent Gardenia (as a sinister, throughly unlikeable J. Edgar Hoover). There are apparently two versions on the market: the edited and the unedited. Go for the latter; the former is so badly chopped up that the historical value is lost. My only question: where the heck can I get the original five-hour cassette (and I've looked!)? My other one's worn out! From the scholarship standpoint, this film is an important historical resource.