Killing Kennedy (2013 TV Movie) User Reviews

The Parallels of Kennedy and Oswald

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 9 November 2013]

Greetings again from the darkness. The premiere of this National Geographic channel production was held for a group of national writers and, thanks to the Dallas Film Society, we were able to be there for the very first theatrical screening – the first even for the writer and director, who were also in attendance. The event was held at the historic Texas Theatre, which of course, is where Lee Harvey Oswald was captured on that fateful November day in 1963.

Kelly Masterson (Before the Devil Knows You're Dead) wrote the screenplay for this movie based on the book co-written by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard, who also co-wrote "Killing Lincoln". It should be noted that neither the books nor their corresponding movies provide any new information, and actually stick very close to the traditionally accepted chain of events (in Kennedy's case that's The Warren Report). These works aren't meant to add fuel to the conspiracy theory fires, but rather to allow for straight-forward re-telling and visualization for those too young to have the images from 50 years ago etched into their memories.

This version in particular focuses on a 3-4 year period leading up to the assassination, and the parallels of Lee Harvey and Marina Oswald, and John and Jacqueline Kennedy. We witness the (fictionalized) account of Oswald renouncing his US citizenship and spending time in Russia where he meets Marina. Their return to the US focuses on his continued work at spreading the gospel of communism, especially supporting Casto's Cuba. We see a bit more of Oswald as a family man than what we are accustomed to, but we are never far from his Marine-gone-bad image … and there is certainly an emphasis on making the point that Oswald was an expert marksman (though the point is often debated) despite his alleged failed attempt on the life of Army General Edwin Walker.

On the other hand, the Kennedy's are portrayed as a loving couple, though JFK's flings are not ignored. Here, Jacqueline is the devoted and extremely supportive wife of a man somewhat insecure in his new level of power. Their love for each other is driven home with numerous (actually too many) lines of dialogue that basically say "the one thing I couldn't bear is losing you". The behind-the-scenes glimpses include JFK listening to the "Camelot" soundtrack, his back pain and subsequent injections, and the numerous cracks and concerns from all involved about traveling to Dallas, a city viewed as politically volatile and dangerous.

The now very famous footage of Oswald's final trek is expertly recreated mostly from the view point of Jack Ruby, though not much insight to Ruby is provided. Here he's merely a justice seeking citizen who is frustrated that his beloved President was shot. Of course many other theories abound, as with most every aspect of the event. There is a very vivid re-enactment of the Oswald/Officer JD Tippit confrontation, and the Texas Theatre capture seems pretty authentic. We get very little attention on the FBI, CIA or Secret Service, and we are presented with the stark contrast in the funerals of Oswald and Kennedy. Minimal actual footage of Kennedy or Oswald is used until the very end of the movie, which allows the viewer to remain in "fiction" mode … much of what we see is speculation from the lives of these two families.

Rob Lowe and Ginner Goodwin are effective as Jack and Jacqueline, and a hefty Casey Siemaszko has the look of Jack Ruby. Michelle Trachtenberg may be a bit too pretty for Marina, but her demeanor is as imagined. Natalie Gold gets a few scenes as Ruth Paine, a piece of the puzzle often ignored in the story. The best and most affecting performance here is that of Will Rothhaar as Oswald. He balances the passion for the cause with the mental instability, and we never view him a monster – just a misguided, desperate man. Director Nelson McCormick (mostly TV work) never really judges these characters, and in the process leaves it to us to answer the real question on Oswald … patsy or no patsy?

**NOTE: See this on the National Georgraphic Channel, airing November 10.

Riveting as well as interesting drama about JFK , Jacqueline , Lee Harvey Oswald and subsequent assassination

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 24 November 2013]

This film was shot to celebrate one of the biggest American heroes , as the 50th anniversary of the death of President John F. Kennedy. A National Geographic production , which became a ratings hit for the network . Biographic picture concerns on John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), commonly known as "Jack" or by his initials JFK, he was the 35th President of the United States, serving from January 1961 until he was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in November 1963. As John F. Kennedy (Rob Lowe) rises to become U.S. president, Kennedy defeated Vice President and Republican candidate Richard Nixon in the 1960 U.S. presidential election ; at age 43, he was the youngest to have been elected to the office, the second-youngest president , and the first person born in the 20th century to serve as president , to date , Kennedy has been the only Catholic president ; meanwhile a former Marine , Lee Oswald (Will Rothhaar) grows disillusioned with America and emigrates to Russia . Events during JFK presidency included the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Space Race—by initiating Project Apollo , the building of the Berlin Wall, the African-American Civil Rights Movement, and increased U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War . The pic deals with parallel lives from two different points of sight on existences of diverse characters , the murderer and the murdered ; along with their tragic aftermath . When their paths ultimately cross, the course of history is changed forever , as seen in this thrilling film about the assassination of JFK and its unfortunate consequences .

This is a biographic film about two different characters as JFK , it deals with his relationship to Jacqueline , historical events about Bay of Pigs (1961) and Cuban missile crisis (1962) ; while Harvey Oswald describing his progressive craziness and obsession . Being rightly based on the New York Times best seller written by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard . This is a compelling biographic thriller well starred by Rob Lowe as JFK , Ginnifer Goodwin as Jacqueline , Will Rothhaar as Lee Harvey Oswald , Michelle Trachtenberg as Marina Oswald , Jack Noseworthy as Bobby Kennedy and Casey Siemaszko as Jack Ruby . The motion picture was professionally directed by Nelson McCormick .

The picture was well based on historical deeds focusing especially JFK assassination . As President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on Friday November 22, 1963, while on a political trip to Texas . He was shot once in the throat, once in the upper back, with the fatal shot hitting him in the head. Kennedy was taken to Parkland Hospital for emergency medical treatment, but pronounced dead at 1:00 pm. Only 46, President Kennedy died younger than any U.S. president to date. Lee Harvey Oswald, an employee of the Texas School Book Depository from which the shots were suspected to have been fired, was arrested on charges for the murder of a local police officer, but was never subsequently charged with the assassination of Kennedy. He denied shooting anyone, claiming he was a patsy, but was killed by Jack Ruby on November 24, before he could be indicted or tried. Ruby was then arrested and convicted for the murder of Oswald. Ruby successfully appealed his conviction and death sentence but became ill and died of cancer on January 3, 1967, while the date for his new trial was being set.President Johnson created the Warren Commission—chaired by Chief Justice Earl Warren—to investigate the assassination, which concluded that Oswald was the lone assassin. The results of this investigation are disputed by many. The United States House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) concluded that those investigations were flawed and that Kennedy was probably assassinated as the result of a conspiracy. The assassination proved to be an important moment in U.S. history because of its impact on the nation and the ensuing political repercussions.

Oswald's story the more compelling

[ecjones1951 · 7/10 · 11 November 2013]

Will Rothhaar's portrayal of Lee Harvey Oswald carries "Killing Kennedy." At two hours, with the last 35 minutes completely dominated by commercial breaks, there is simply not enough time to provide any depth or layering to JFK's side of the story. Rob Lowe does a fine impersonation of Kennedy, but ultimately he is the star of a flip book about the highlights of JFK's presidency. Oswald's ideology and personality disorders were the dominant themes of the last years of his life, more so than the outward trappings. Oswald's life was complex, too, yet the script of "Killing Kennedy" gives Rothhaar far more room to move, and this he uses to build a portrayal of a sociopath driven by paranoia, unfocused anger, misperception and arrogance.

Despite the thousands of forests that have fallen so that books might be printed about the assassination, Oswald remains an enigma to many people. Rothhaar's portrayal of Oswald ably depicts his fundamental inability to accurately assess people, organizations and situations, which left him perpetually confused, frustrated and angry. The peculiar, menacing aspects of his personality made him an abusive husband, made friendships impossible, and insured that he would be fired after only a few weeks from yet another menial job.

"Killing Kennedy" makes the case for Oswald as the lone gunman, as do Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard in their self-same titled book on which the movie is based. Whether or not you subscribe to their version of events, their portrayal of Lee Harvey Oswald as political assassin is convincing. Undeterred by his failures and dismissive of his repeated rejections, Oswald maintained the fiction that he was a revolutionary, an insurgent in movements he believed he saw happening before everyone else. There is "misguided," then there is "delusional." The former can evoke some sympathy. The latter, never.

Sociopaths have delusions of grandeur, and a notion that they are better than the groups that reject them. Lee Harvey Oswald had both, and no reason for either.

Mostly Superficial

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 16 November 2013]

This is Bill O'Reilly's take on the assassination of President Kennedy. Maybe there's a greater depth in the book, but the movie is a fairly superficial examination of Kennedy (Rob Lowe) and Lee Harvey Oswalt (Will Rothhaar). Two TV hours with all the commercials is just not enough to do a deep look into two big characters like Kennedy and Oswalt.

There isn't much new here for Kennedy. It's a well traveled path. Of course Bill puts in all the hot button topics about the womanizing and the drug injections. Rob Lowe does little more than mimicry. Ginnifer Goodwin doesn't have the regal stature of Mrs Kennedy. Any number of other movies make a more compelling portrait. For example, the Cuban missile crisis was done better in Thirteen Days (2000).

My hope was for the Oswalt half. They could give him a depth that isn't out there in any movie. But I think Will Rothhaar does a relatively bland job. Michelle Trachtenberg does a much better job. Her role in the family is absolutely fascinating. The movie really needed to concentrate more on the Oswalts and sideline the Kennedys.

The technicals are relatively good for a TV movie. The style is still unimaginative. For the budget, we can't expect much more. It certainly doesn't have the tension or the suspense. We get nothing but the simplified highlights.

Based on the Warren Commission

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 21 September 2016]

Although purportedly this film is based on Bill O'Reilly's book of the same title, Killing Kennedy might well have been based on the Warren Commission Report.

If offers tantalizing hints and glimpses at those put forth by conspiracy theorists of all kinds, the Mafia, the Communists, the ultra right wing, but no one who accepts the Warren Commission will not have any problem with this film.

That being said this is a dual story of a winner and a loser. John F. Kennedy by virtue of his birth into a rich and powerful family was destined for greatness. But as Rob Lowe as JFK ruefully remarked this was supposed to be for his older brother Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. who was killed in World War II.

The loser was ne'er do well Lee Harvey Oswald played by Will Rothbaar who became a Marxist/Leninist because he couldn't hold down a job. He went to Russia and found the Soviet Union not quite what he imagined it to be. Few did who made the journey. He did bring home a Russian wife whom he abused.

No need to go into a plot here. I think most literate people know the bare facts of the crime of the last century. Rob Lowe does well as JFK, Jack Noseworthy is in complete simpatico with Lowe playing Robert Kennedy and Ginnifer Goodwin is a believable and credible Jackie Kennedy.

This version will not however create the controversy that Executive Action or JFK did. It certainly breaks no new ground.

Utter Stupidity

[bhowarth51-1 · 28 November 2016]

For those unfamiliar with that fateful day, this ridiculous Brothers Grimm fable does nothing but provide an outlet for those wishing to waste 2 hours. O'Reilly the so-called historian did nothing with his ' Killing Kennedy ' book turned into film except brutally murder the truth by parroting the completely discredited Warren Commission lie. Remember Bill O the one time Inside Edition reporter at large? The same guy who said he was present in Florida the moment Oswald confidant and probable CIA handler George De Morherenschilt committed suicide only to later discover the following day in was in a taped telephone conversation with the late and reputable JFK assassination researcher Gaton Fonzi asking what had happened to old George? In the JFK case alone, O'Reilly has about as much credibility for honesty as Bill or Hillary Clinton testifying under oath. Just as one example of the numerous preposterous scenes on full display, we have non-convicted assassin LHO STANDING while demonstrating his yet to be duplicated marksman proficiency gunning down JFK and wounding the Governor. Too bad the TBD 6th floor SE window at the time was only open 14 inches which meant that not only was LHO a superb marksman, he also managed to fire through a glass window three times without shattering it or leaving any trace of bullet holes. This pathetic vomit inspiring film was steered toward those completely clueless of the entire case or those clinging lone-nutter syncopates who are blind to reality of what really happened. This doesn't even take into account the illegal theft of JFK's remains from Parkland hospital later spirited away on AF-1 to its eventually place in Bethesda where the most inept, illegal and fraudulent so-called autopsy in history occurred. There isn't enough time or space available to address this case on this board. But suffice it to say that all the moronic film accomplished was nothing more that typical O'Reilly, Hanks, Posner, and Bugliosi lies to continue the dishonesty in certain halls of the US government and their lemmings in the media.

A compelling story paraphrased

[StevePulaski · 7/10 · 17 November 2013]

I have read two books by Bill O'Reilly, Keep it Pithy: Useful Observations in a Tough World and Kennedy's Last Days, respectively, only reading a few chapters from Killing Kennedy, his bestselling novel co-written by Martin Dugard. O'Reilly's writing style is basic, pretty direct, and provides the same sort of depth and analysis you'd get from a history book in terms of his historical analysis. Nelson McCormick's film adaptation of the novel is more of the same basic entertainment, which creates Kennedy's assassination as a cinematic story of suspense and sadness.

The film is a Television movie for the National Geographic channel, set to air throughout the month of November to coincide with the fiftieth (yes, fiftieth) anniversary of Kennedy's assassination. This year in particular, we have been bombarded with documentaries and films on Television being made about Kennedy's life, Kennedy's handling of the Cuban missile crisis, etc, that I can't help but feel that a film that isn't a documentary on the man himself should be made. Killing Kennedy may not be the Oscar-worthy, big-budget, cinematic recreation of history that Steven Spielberg's Lincoln was to last year's concluding movie-going season, but it's, at very least, a watchable endeavor that combines the talents of some great actors into a bleak piece of intrigue that is one of the grimmest times in American history.

O'Reilly's point of uniqueness with his "Killing" series of books, which have chronicled the deaths of Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Jesus Christ, with the forth victim to be an unknown World War II figure, has been to been to take a well-known historical figure and write their story as a suspense story that reads like fiction but is actually nonfiction. The film keeps much of that ideology intact, illustrating both John F. Kennedy's presidency and Lee Harvey Oswald's disillusionment with the military and return to America and showcasing them parallel to one another, giving the audience a feeling of what one man was doing while the other one was doing something else.

Aside from its structuring, stylistically bleak tonality that meshes to the time period, and the solid performances by everyone involved, you won't find much new in this story. Rob Lowe plays John F. Kennedy with the same kind of surface-level depth that he gave to Drew Peterson a year ago. Lowe's acting talents are strong, but he always finds himself playing huge figures that show little substance other than what the masses already know. While Lowe's performance practically nails Kennedy's eclectic accent, and is elevated by a great portrayal of smothering stress during the Bay of Pigs time, every move and thought Kennedy is magnified by supporting character dialog to make sure we are following. As gorgeous as Ginnifer Goodwin is as Jackie Kennedy, especially in the outfit which would later become a blood-soaked staple of tragedy and remembrance, she exists more to make sure we, the audience, realize what is happening to Kennedy rather than as her own character.

Lee Harvey Oswald's beyond challenging role is given to Will Rothhaar, who gives a low-key performance, heavy on minimalism and quiet facial expressions. This is a breath of fresh air as we scarcely get any insight into what is going on in Kennedy's head, so to see a reviled character get a softer, more ambiguous performance is refreshing. His wife Marina, played by Michelle Trachtenberg, however, is given a role which reduces her performance to the occasional sentence of confusion and worry, the character who constantly has their infant child in their hands, and a hopeless facial expression.

We see everything we pretty much learned about in our textbooks when it comes to Kennedy's side of the story, from dealing with the America's potential involvement in what was shaping out to be a full-fledged nuclear war to the tragedy of the Bay of Pigs (all of Kennedy's adultery and philandering included in Killing Kennedy is criminally missing in the film). Oswald's point of view is where I found the most enjoyment and where I suspect many people will remember the film for, regardless of the quality each story bears. It will be remembered because of how unknown it is. I doubt many people know of Oswald's Marxist interests, wife, children, and military service. This portrait of an unstable soul was the highlight of O'Reilly's book Kennedy's Last Days and is the unsurprising highlight of Killing Kennedy.

McCormick's direction and Stephen St. John's cinematography keep the film interesting and suspenseful, especially during the last half-hour when all hell begins to break loose. However, the one thing the film can't escape is a TV movie feel. The pacing feels a bit like a primetime crime drama in the way the music blends with the unfolding events, and even scenes interrupted by a dreaded commercial break feeling like replaying themselves after the end of said commercial break (case and point, the scene when Oswald readies the rifle as Kennedy's car approaches). Considering the professional-level of such TV movies as Behind the Candelabra (which makes me wonder how HBO would've handled this over National Geographic), the film exists near the level of quality that picture held but fails to live up to the technical standards it set.

Killing Kennedy is only as suspenseful as it is familiar, and what we're left to digest is what we would've digested if we watched a documentary on the assassination or read a book - how troubling, fearful, and bleak the days Kennedy presidency must've been, how little optimism must've existed after his tragic death, and how politics was impacted by Kennedy's leadership. This is a good film, but unfortunately not a great one, combining the intensity of a crime drama with the depth of a complex story you've heard paraphrased before.

Starring: Rob Lowe, Ginnifer Goodwin, Will Rothhaar, and Michelle Trachtenberg. Directed by: Nelson McCormick.

The Warren Report made into film

[hromanz · 3/10 · 10 November 2013]

What a shame Rob Lowe's great portrayal of President Kennedy is wasted on such a sellout production of the notoriously inaccurate Warren Commission Report. Little if any makes sense in this story, but the real clincher is Jack Ruby's absurd scene of the teary eyed mobster all broken up for Jackie Kennedy's ordeal! Come on, give us a break! I think Lowe's portrayal is the best there's ever been, he really looks the part, but it will be forgotten in the movie's general feel of mainstream official story. Blah! Ginnifer Goodwin is also very good as Jacqueline Kennedy and she comes across as loving and dedicated as the real one must have been. Kudos also for Bobby and Ken O'Donnell. I don't think this one contains any spoilers, I mean we all know the story and how it ends, but what a waste of (prime)time!

Killing Kennedy

[ahwa147 · 10/10 · 10 November 2013]

Killing Kennedy I've read O'Reilly's book and tonight Mrs and I watched the NatGeo movie based on the book.

I have to say both are very, well done. This is an event that cannot be unknown to anyone born in America anytime in the last five decades since it occurred, but still it's not well understood even today, for many reasons, chief of which is the reporting and the investigations that followed. What should have brought clarity and understanding, seemed only to bring more confusion and add to the many speculations.

The book and the movie bring both clarity and understanding.

The book left a lot of wiggle room on various points related to the several major unsubstantiated theories, but that was the point I think, to stick with what the known facts are and things that have been corroborated as reliable and credible. That was a good move on O'Reilly's part, even though I hope for a more exploratory, if not investigative look, at some aspects the book didn't touch on. Points that shouldn't be ignored.

The movie. Wow. In short, it was brilliant and exceptionally well done. It's a tragic and heart-wrenching tale of the best, and the worst, of humanity and that point comes through loudly in Lee Harvey Oswald, an America despising former US Marine, self-described Marxist, and pining supporter of Fidel Castro and Communist Cuba. I've never seen that aspect of Oswald's life covered so well, if at all, in any film of Kennedy's assassination and it's a very significant aspect.

Rob Lowe's portrayal of Kennedy. Pure genius. Lowe absolutely nailed Kennedy in this movie. How he spoke, how he carried himself, even down to how Kennedy walked. It's so good, you don't see Lowe at all. You see the pain stricken former captain of the ill-fated US Navy Patrol Torpedo boat PT-109, who became President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

The care that was taken to make this movie as authentic as it was gripping, was awe inspiring as well. Right down to the blending of important actual newsreel footage from that period and the portrayal of key events that have mostly not been mentioned at all, anywhere.

This was a very well done film, as was the book it was based on, and I think both will become the definitive work on the man, JFK, America's 35th President, the time in which he lived, and the still questioned assassination account.

a thoughtful performance by Rob Lowe can't save this

[blanche-2 · 6/10 · 12 September 2018]

This is a low-budget production starring Rob Lowe, who does a good job as JFK. The story focuses on Lee Harvey Oswald, his political leanings, and his activities prior to the assassination.

I doubt the factual accuracy of some of this. Don't tell me Jack Ruby broke down over poor Jackie now that her husband was dead. And I still think Ruby killing Oswald was something authorities let happen. He was being moved to another prison and instead of having a vehicle by the door, he was walked slowly through the garage. Then, surrounded by all these people, Jack Ruby shoots him. Also, the film shows Mrs. Kennedy all by herself sitting outside the room where doctors were working on her husband. I don't think so.

Rob Lowe was a standout. I also liked Michelle Trachtenberg as Marina Oswald. Will Rothhaar as Oswald was too good-looking, and Ginnifer Goodwin lacked the sophistication required for Jackie. Also I think her relationship with her husband was somewhat misrepresented, given what we know now.

The most atrocious piece of cinema that has ever been created!!!

[christopher-nelson-846-41487 · 1/10 · 16 November 2013]

Ask yourself! Why is arguably the most significant historical event in the past 50 years in this country, and one that has been discussed and debated at such incredible length... being portrayed with so much NON- FACTUAL editorial tripe? Is it to present a completely objective view of this event, or is it propaganda?

Only one possible answer: propaganda fluff! The people behind the creation and production of this movie are clearly also in some way involved in the death of JFK. They have enough money to produce a pseudo-historical account of these events, that 100 years from now people will assume is true. This is the only reason anyone would try to paint such a skewed picture of such a widely disputed historical event. There is not an ounce of an attempt to suggest there are any problems with the lone gunman, or any analysis of any of the suspicious activities surrounding the JFK assassination, as well as its timing.

This is, in my opinion, the largest pile of Hollywood crap ever produced!

SOOOOO many unsubstantiated opinions are presented in this movie, it makes it almost unbearable to watch. Oswald is portrayed, a priori, as an unstable, unpatriotic lunatic, while Jack Ruby is portrayed as some philanthropic hero, who is simply too good of a human being to allow Oswald to live! No mention of Ruby's mob ties or other shady connections.

The people who created this movie are the enemy of every human alive today, and all those who would hope to follow us!

An almost perfect Kennedy film

[Robert_duder · 8/10 · 28 January 2014]

First I will state the disclaimer that I am a Kennedy and Kennedy Assassination historian, have been for a very, very long time and am generally considered a worthwhile voice in the Kennedy community (not bragging just stating my background...and maybe bragging a little!) I scramble to see every Kennedy film, bio and documentary I can so I was thrilled to see this one. I had reasonable expectations though and knew that it would be a very straight forward/non-controversial telling of the events leading to Kennedy's assassination and it is exactly that. It brings nothing new or shocking to the table but rather follows the generally accepted history of Kennedy and the Assassination. There is a lot of good to this TV made film but there is also a lot of missed potential. I dream of the day that someone with true brilliance makes a full fledged TV Series (four seasons would be great.) There is far too much history, drama, and major events to cram it all into an hour and a half. That being said they do the very best they can in the time frame given. The cast is brilliant, one of the best "Camelot" era casts I have seen in a film (more on that in a moment.) Some of the scenes where they recreate intimate Kennedy moments was powerful and just really moving to see dramatized. It was a nearly perfect representation of the story but due to the time constraint it comes across as just a little dry and underdeveloped.

Rob Lowe...wow. He absolutely nails his role as John Kennedy. He looks the part, nails the voice (without sounding cheesy), has good charisma and just really embodies the part. He is easily one of the top three JFK actors I have ever seen. The problem is (and this extends to the entire cast) is that because of the time constraint he and the rest of the cast don't get enough time to really shine in the roles. Everything is so fast and so by the book that their brilliance is hampered just a little bit. Ginnifer Goodwin is the perfect example of this because I think she was terrific as Jackie (though her chemistry with Lowe was okay and not great.) She also tries just a little too hard to imitate Jackie but 99% of the time she does an amazing job and I think given hours to unfold the character she could have been amazing. Will Rothhaar is mesmerizing as Lee Harvey Oswald. He gets the most development as a character and he makes the most infamous killer in modern day history come alive on screen like you are there with him trying to understand him. Michelle Trachtenberg gives an absolutely stunning, Emmy worthy performances as Marina Oswald. As one reviewer pointed out, she is a little too pretty to be Marina but outside of that she is amazing. Her Russian sounds flawless and her chemistry with Rothhaar is perfect. I would have watched an entire film about the two of them (another great idea for Hollywood.) Jack Noseworthy has an achingly small role as Bobby Kennedy but I think given a much bigger role he would have been great at it too because in his couple of scenes he really captures the look and voice of Bobby. Casey Siemaszko and Francis Guinan are also decent in extremely small roles as Jack Ruby and Lyndon Johnson.

Director Nelson McCormick is probably a great choice to helm this film. He does a good job with the information and tells the story exactly as its presented to him. He has a long history in TV and I think if they did stretch this out into an actual series he would be a good choice. As I said before he recreates some really interesting scenes in the Kennedy family and it was the first time I have seen these particular scenes recreated. One reviewer pointed out a particular scene of nudity (a woman's backside as she gets out of the pool) and pointed it out as disappointing and pointless. They were jumped all over by people (of course) but I agree! For a film that nearly anyone could watch and history classes of all ages should see, to have that single moment of nudity was completely gratuitous and pointless. Still as a history buff and as a Kennedy buff even moreso I was impressed by the film, had a great time watching it but fell just shy of being blown away. The historical accuracy was definitely there and I thought it interesting (as a conspiracy theorist) that I thought their tried and true by the book story only made it look even more implausible but that's a story in itself. Absolutely check this out because its well worth your time. 8/10

I enjoyed it

[blondexslytherin · 7/10 · 24 November 2013]

On the 50th Anniversary of JFK's assassination, I downloaded the National Geographic movie Killing Kennedy. I just watched it now and I gotta say the casting could've been better but I cried, I got angry, but I enjoyed it. I personally, found it hard to see Gin Goodwin as Jackie Kennedy. I guess its because I'm a Once Upon A Time junkie. I honestly think her and the actor who played Johnson would be the only two I would change. I also didn't like how minuscule Johnson's role was. He hated Kennedy. Johnson and Bobby hated each other too. I feel like the assassination would've been better if they showed the phone call he made to Bobby about the inauguration of him as president and the conflict of him & the Kennedy's on the plane. Every book I've read on the assassination said Johnson was very disrespectful to the Kennedy's once Jack was dead. There were a lot they cut out and there were a few inaccuracies during the 48 hours between JFK's Assassination and LHO's assassination. For example; They killed LHO off when he was going to see the press but he was actually killed when they were transferring him to the jail. That bothered me too. I just feel that when you call a movie "Killing Kennedy" the movie should've been about the murder. This movie would've had a bigger impact if it was focused on the first 48 hours rather than the missile crisis, and JFK's many affairs.

Toeing the party line

[richcomerford · 4/10 · 21 November 2013]

I enjoyed the film, mainly for 2 brilliant portrayals - Rob Lowe as JFK and Will Rothhaar as LHO. Otherwise,no more than an attempt to bolster up the Warren Commission and its supporters by treating the "findings" as undisputed fact. No way!! The trouble is, after 50 years, people are more and more likely to accept the party line and the murder of a great man will be put down to a disaffected nobody and Truth and Justice will continue to suffer. For example, an acquaintance of mine (English), aged 50, recently told me he understood JFK had been assassinated at his inauguration! With films like this, soon no-one will know or care about this awful crime. And the perpetrators will continue to get away with murder.

Rob Lowe

[Kirpianuscus · 30 April 2017]

his performance is the best part of film. and, maybe, the only motif to see it. because it is a conventional film, using only well known facts, but in not inspired manner. a film who remains prisoner of clichés and superficiality. the bad thing is not exactly the easy manner to present Warrner report but the desire to impress, without the right tools. because the parallel Kennedy - Oswald is not convincing. because the ambition to give a docudrama falls in a strange state of confusion. so, a try. maybe, not so nice.

Accurate and Entertaining

[thirdsqurl · 7/10 · 30 November 2014]

Reviews of a historical film can break down into its accuracy and the quality of the production. This movie does fine on both counts. Many will wish to dismiss the movie's narrative as it portrays Oswald as the lone assassin driven by his personal demons and failures. These viewers would rather see a Costner style conspiracy film with grand villains. I myself believed in the multiple shooter theory for many years, and still have a library of conspiracy books larger than any of the reviewers you are likely see read here, but over time it became clear that Oswald did indeed act alone. To believe otherwise is to credit our government with a competency that history proves is utterly lacking.

For the quality of the film, Rob Lowe has captured JFK perfectly. It's sad he didn't win an award for his performance. The talented cast of supporting characters all play well to the known facts, a rare event in the Hollywood culture. The production values, no doubt limited by the film's budget, are adequate for the purpose, and the time period has been recreated well enough not to be distracting.

As a devoted fan of President Kennedy and having seen every Kennedy film, I would place this one above average, and a good basic education for those unfamiliar with the story.

"The President has been shot."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 20 January 2020]

If you were around when John F. Kennedy was assassinated, you know the history and have developed your own ideas about what happened as regards the numerous conspiracies concerning his death. This picture doesn't address any of the controversy, and is pretty much a straightforward reenactment of a short time span prior to the event. A bit more detail is fleshed out concerning Lee Harvey Oswald; Will Rothhaar portrays him as a paranoid individual with a persecution complex, which isn't surprising considering his mental state as an anti-capitalist and Communist by his own admission. The film takes a few shots at the Kennedy marriage with Jack's philandering, demonstrating Jackie's (Ginnifer Goodwin) resolve to be a faithful wife but pained by the cheating of her husband. That, and the mention of Sam Giancana and the mob were only whispers during Kennedy's tenure in office, and were generally disregarded as rumor. One notes the many derisive reviews of this film here on IMDb, so if one is interested in the various conspiracy angles and theories, best to look elsewhere. This simply puts the event in historical context and is fairly straightforward about the events before, during, and after the assassination.

The Kennedy assassination, retold

[dy158 · 7/10 · 1 October 2014]

It is a story where we know what would happen in the end, as the title speaks for itself. Much had been said and written what happened on that day in Dallas, Texas and what could have motivated Lee Harvey Oswald and whether he acted alone in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. But this television film deals with none of that, and only what the world actually knows took place on that day and the backstories of the two people at the heart of it in Oswald and the US President John F. Kennedy.

Before their respective lives crossed with each other, Lee Harvey Oswald (Will Rothaar) has been a former US Marine who has grown disillusioned with his own country in the United States and John F. Kennedy (Rob Lowe) is a senator and a politician on the rise and his own political career took a dramatic turn after the assassination of his senator brother Robert (Jack Noseworthy) on the presidential campaign trail for the Democrat ticket for the 1960 presidential election. While Oswald would head for the Soviet Union and seek asylum there and becoming a defector in the process, Kennedy would eventually come to come up against the Republican candidate Richard Nixon and would win the election along with his vice-presidential candidate choice in Lyndon Johnson (Francis Guinan).

After initially settling down in Russia, Oswald would move to Belarus where at a dance, he met his future wife Marina (Michelle Trachtenberg). The Oswalds would be on the move again after the birth of their child, and this time it is back to the United States after Oswald realised the Soviet Union was not what he had imagined to be. The young family would eventually end up in Dallas, Texas.

Meanwhile, Kennedy would come to make a visit to Dallas, Texas as part of campaigning for a second term in the 1964 presidential election. This will be when the lives of both Kennedy and Oswald would come to cross with each other, and things will never be the same again for them and for the United States in the aftermath of what would come to take place.

It is more than just what happened on that fateful day in Dallas, it is also what led up to it. It is also the story of how two people who are not related to each other would come to find their lives cross with each other in one day, and their respective spouses in Marina Oswald and Jacqueline Kennedy (Gennifer Goodwin). It is as poignant, as chilling, and as haunting it could be for a story to be told to a new generation.

Incredibly dull

[Leofwine_draca · 4/10 · 10 January 2014]

KILLING KENNEDY, a TV movie adaptation of a book that claims to expose the truth about Lee Harvey Oswald being the sole assassin behind the JFK murder, has to be one of the dullest movies I've ever witnessed. It comes on the back of Oliver Stone's epic-feeling JFK and the recent, excellent TV miniseries THE KENNEDYS, so what more could there possibly be to say?

The answer is, not a whole lot. The idea behind KILLING KENNEDY is to present a dual narrative, one from the point of view of JFK in the years leading up to his death, the other to chronicle Oswald's life from when he first arrives in America. Unfortunately, neither plot strand is interesting, and it doesn't help that there's an insipid, TV-movie feel to the whole thing. It feels staid and safe, never dangerous, despite the natural drama of the history.

Rob Lowe makes for a passable Kennedy, although he's no Greg Kinnear, just as Jack Noseworthy is no Barry Pepper. His story has been done to death and nothing new is brought to the table here. Will Rothhaar's Oswald is a little more interesting, but the drama in his life still feels subdued for some reason. Michelle Trachtenberg is unrecognisable from her early days and makes a good stab of playing Oswald's Russian wife. In the end, though, this is a film that treads water throughout, totally ignores any of the conspiracy theories behind the assassination, and ends up being incredibly dull as a result.

Historically Accurate Depiction of Incredible Events

[alrodbel · 10/10 · 23 November 2013]

This review is being written on the 50th anniversary of the events of the film, the murder of President Kennedy by the single gunman Lee Harvey Oswald. It is a weekend of extensive documentaries, memorials and articles by those who knew Oswald during the time depicted in this film, and even some from his childhood.

First let me say, I am pleasantly surprised by how the writer and producer of this film, Bill O'Reilly has created for those who may view this film in future years as close to an historically accurate depiction of events as possible in the two hour long film. It was necessary to truncate many characters, such as Margarette Oswald, by all descriptions a narcissistic personality, who related to non one, including her son. And given that I am familiar with most of the events from respected sources, I give credence to those that seem to fit the larger pattern of personalities and events.

At this time, over seventy percent of Americans reject the premise that Oswald acted on his own, without what is referred to as a conspiracy. The nature of this conspiracy range from the Mafia, The CIA, Texas Oilmen, Fidel Castro and his successor Lyndon Johnson. This was the premise of a popular film JFK, by Oliver Stone in 1990, that ignored the realities to weave a tale based on one irresponsible prosecutor. Conspiracy theories began soon after the assassination, exacerbated by the murder of Oswald by Jack Ruby, which was seen as silencing Oswald so he could not expose the purported conspiracy.

This film does not directly address these theories, but by presenting the full life of Oswald, how he bought the rifle to assassinate General Walker, and then only the day that he read that JFK was to be riding directly in front of the window that he had private access to did he decide to shoot him. We see in Oswald's disturbed character, his megalomania of thinking that he would have a cadre of reporters waiting for his return from Russia, his pain in his marriage breaking up because of his failures, all of the pieces falling into place that dispel the thousands of books that have been written that describe Oswald as part of a larger plot to kill JFK.

One minor error in this film is only worth noting because Ruby's silencing of JFK is part of every conspiracy theory. Ruby did not pull up to the police department and take the gun from his glove compartment and go in to kill Oswald. He had been at home in his underwear at the 10 AM time announced for Oswald to be moved, and thus vulnerable. He received a call that an employee needed an immediate wired cash advance. So, he got dressed, waited in line in the telegraph office, and sent it an hour and half after the time to move Oswald. He saw the crowd, with his pistol in his pocket as always, walked across the street at the exact moment that Oswald appeared. It takes an incredible need to turn these actual events into a coordinated part of a conspiracy to see anything other than what this was, an adventitious unlikely series of events, just as was the actual path of the motorcade right in front of Oswald's window, decided on after he had happened to have gotten the job.

For any who may come across this in years to come, I hope we have a more rational country, where those who find profit in spinning elaborate distortions disregarding who they slander will be rationally evaluated, and no longer be persuasive to the American people. This film will be the closest that those viewing as ancient history will come to the actual story of how one very disturbed individual happened to cross paths with the most powerful man in the world and was able to end his life.

This is not the way things should be, but they were then and probably still will be when you read this.

Saw better, saw worse

[deloudelouvain · 6/10 · 1 March 2017]

I read a lot of reviews about this story being the truth or not and honestly it doesn't matter because you will never know what really happened. To me Killing Kennedy isn't a bad movie even though there are better movies made about this subject. But giving the movie such low ratings sometimes is just ridiculous. I wonder if those people that rate it with one star watch a lot of movies? Because there are thousands worse movies than Killing Kennedy. To me it could have been better if they had another cast. Rob Lowe isn't a brilliant actor and he will never be. He's just average. Will Rothhaar as Lee Harvey Oswald did a better job as well as his wife. The story is easy to follow, also because almost everybody on this planet knows the story. You know what will happen so there are no elements of surprises or so. All in all the movie is worth a watch, even if you have another conspiracy theory.

Who is still trying to sell this crap?

[The_wild_wolf · 1/10 · 28 November 2013]

I am stunned that there are people still interested in selling the Warren commission. The last official word on the assassinations from the U.S. government, in 1979, was that it was most likely the work of a conspiracy. Not that we needed this admission to realize the single gunman theory was fiction, but it was nice to see that there are some people in power that search for the truth. Where is the movie about this? Or the mountain of evidence and witnesses that are coming forward disputing this politically inspired, self-serving, white wash? The saddest thing about it is that due to the credibility of the production, big name actors like Rob Lowe and the high production values it will probably resonate as the "real truth" with a lot of people and brainwash a whole new generation(but isn't that the point?). Isn't is time to admit that the U.S. had a coup d'etat in 1963? All empires have had them, it's nothing new. Let's blame those who actually conspired to kill a president, and hey, maybe actually prosecute someone. Maybe the gap between the government and the people might narrow and a little optimism can be restored. This apparently can't happen yet because 50 years after the fact, the guilty parties, or their sons are still reaping the rewards of manipulating power politics and wealthy enough to produce television movies.

Bland and Slow-moving, but Honest Effort

[redryan64 · 8/10 · 11 December 2014]

WE'VE NEVER BEEN big on any conspiracy theories concerning the Kennedy Assination. Nor do we believe that we, the American Public, have been clued in on all of the facts behind this atrocity of now more than a full half century ago. From our vantage point, there would seem to be only two logical parties responsible for plotting such an undertaking. That would be:

a)DOMESTIC: Organized Crime (the Syndicate, the "Outfit")

b)FOREIGN: Fidel and the Cubans.

THAT BEING SAID, let us get on to reviewing this KILLING KENNEDY TV Movie. Okay, Schultz?

AS AN OVERVIEW, we must say that much like any criminal case, it is long and slow; carefully bringing in and introducing all of the players. Other current events are mentioned that they put things in a chronological order and Historical perspective.

THE STORY MOVES very slowly at its start, but it is constantly accelerating; albeit at a very low and nearly imperceptible rate. By the time we arrive at the fateful date of November 22, 1963, the pace increases to near break neck speed.

SO MUCH OF the earlier portion of the film devotes itself to setting the stage for things to come. We get a glimpse into the lives of the principals; of which there are actually three, not just two. Those are JFK, Oswald and Jack Ruby.

THE NARRATIVE SOMEWHAT in short-hand style shows us how the three are seemingly set on an inescapable collision course by Fatewith their intertwined destinies.

CERTAINLY THERE ARE temptations to compare this rather modest production with Director Oliver Stones' JFK (Warner Brothers, 1991). Well, truth be told, there really isn't any comparison.

THE PRODUCTION TEAM on this Made for TV movie did their best to recreate events as they unfolded, without any passion or any particular point of view. Although we are sure that Mr. Kennedy was a man with certain flaws (as are we all). But he was at heart an American Patriot, who believed that the USA was and is a force for Good.

IN STARK CONTRAST, Stone's 3 hour personal tribute brings us many theories dramatized in realistic fashion as to render them as factual to our subconscious. Stones JFK stands as a much greater work; but Oliver is very much dishonest in his approach.

It was a decent movie

[jakemance-02072 · 6/10 · 13 April 2015]

This movie managed to keep me watching throughout the whole thing. It was pretty close to what historically happened (or at least what we are taught, assuming that's what you believe). The movie shows an impressive amount of information, from Kennedy's affairs to Oswald's mental deterioration. The plot is good regardless of whether or not someone agrees with the Warren Commission's decision. I very much enjoyed the detail to which they portray Lee Harvey Oswald and his communist beliefs and even his family, which is often not thought of when Oswald is discussed. The way he interviewed himself to prepare for being captured and his ability to lie with incredible confidence shows the type of person Oswald was. Even though Rob Lowe's accent was a little funny, and the history is still in question after 50 years, the movie Killing Kennedy managed to show the (somewhat accepted) truth and even some of the emotion behind JFK's death.

A travesty.

[benbrae76 · 1/10 · 23 December 2015]

Bill O'Reilly likes to think of himself as an historian. I'm afraid he's anything but. All he has done in "Killing Kennedy" is follow the extremely dubious findings of the Warren Report, which has since been debunked by most sane-thinking people.

The first hour or so is more or less a history lesson of known facts, intermingled with a character bashing of Oswald, but other interpretations can be used regarding both in relation to the Kennedy assassination. For example, although there were suspicions, the shooting of General Walker was never officially attributed to Oswald.

Regarding the Kennedy assassination, which was covered only in the last 30 minutes, O'Reilly completely ignores:

1. The witnesses to shots coming from the grassy knoll and the picket fence.

2. The incompetency of the rifle supposedly used by Oswald. It was the worst on the market at the time. And what assassin would use a mail ordered weapon in an assassination, and leave it at the scene of the alleged crime? Oswald wasn't THAT stupid.

3. The marksmanship required to accurately fire three rounds in under 6 seconds using such an inferior weapon well known for inaccuracy. Oswald was no marksman, contrary to the inferences in this movie.

4. That no transcript or recording of the interrogation of Oswald exists. And no representation for Oswald provided.

5. The witnesses in the Texas Book Depository giving Oswald an alibi.

6. The Zagruber film.

7. The 'magic' pristine bullet.

8. The disappearance of Kennedy's brain.

9. The mismanaged autopsy.

10. Other explanations of events, and events and occurrences not covered above.

O'Reilly may be a renowned TV host, but as an historian he would make a great balloon salesman. Both being inflated with hot air. Rather than being treated as history, the assassination parts of this movie must be placed in the realms of fantasy, as has by most, the Warren Report.