Without becoming didactic, The Missiles of October does an outstanding job of presenting many points of view on the Cuban missile crisis. The film humanizes Kennedy's near impossible task of avoiding war without compromising national security. The earnestness of this 1974 made-for-television dramatization may briefly remind one of social studies class--indeed it is at times difficult to maintain consciousness while the extensive cast of characters is being introduced at the opening. Not to worry, though--soon the power plays begin and The Missiles of October becomes completely gripping. Actual news footage is spliced in with the action, nicely serving as exposition and driving home just how very close the world came to nuclear war. A crew of excellent character actors flesh out the story and reveal the psychological games behind the language of diplomacy. William Devane takes on the difficult task of playing John F. Kennedy. While he doesn't quite capture Kennedy's charisma, he does occupy the role comfortably and effectively conveys the president's deep worry and determination to avoid war. Martin Sheen plays an engaging Robert Kennedy and Michael Lerner, oddly enough, manages to make Pierre Salinger absolutely fascinating. --Ali Davis
(15 votes)
2.
This suspenseful drama explores one of the most frightening events of the 1960s -- the Cuban Missile crisis. The Cold War confrontation occurred in 1962, when the United States discovered that the USSR was secretly building missile-launching pads in Cuba. President John Fitzgerald ordered Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to remove the weapons already in place. He then put into effect a naval blockade on the island to make sure that no more missiles arrived on its shores.
The film shows how the U.S. leader frantically worked with his brother Robert and their staff to put an end to the situation.
(15 votes)
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