The Missiles of October
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Movie Reviews of The Missiles of October
Movie Review: One of the greatest made-for-TV-productions ever made.
Summary: 5 Stars
The overall quality of the dvd far surpassed my expectation. My vhs copy made from a TV broadcast was so bad I had little hope for the dvd after so many years had passed since it first aired. The dvd is by far the best I've ever seen it look. The picture may even be better now than when it was first broadcast, who knows. They must have broken into the "video vault" for this one.
The music track still sounds a little chintzy. But I suppose that's ok, since Laurence Rosenthal's score probably wasn't really meant to play a dominant role in the production in the first place, given the teleplay's documentary-like structure. On the other hand, the dialog is very intelligible.
In fact, the quality improvements renewed my appreciation of the production. Before it was released on dvd, I gave it 4 stars, but now I'll give it 5 without reservation. The decorated stage shots that mark different chapters don't interrupt the flow nearly as much as I had feared they would on the dvd, and they actually enhance the narrative.
The cast is huge, but unlike so many productions, even the actors playing the smallest parts, and there are many, act on a par comepletely equal to the actors in the lead roles. And the script is tight. There doesn't seem to be anything wasted or anything superfluous and yet it doesn't feel too tight or overworked - even as the story is being delivered in a riveting and relentlessly taught, suspenseful manner. Once under way it's without let up and yet it never becomes boring, or any sort of joke whatsoever. Highly absorbing.
There're terrific performances all over the place here, but Devane's (JFK) and Howard da Silva's (Khrushchev) as powerful men under pressure from truly frightening developements are not to be missed! I'm reminded of a scene in the movie "Fail-Safe" (another cold-war classic) in which the president (Henry Fonda) is talking on the hot-line to the russian Premier and trying to convince him that the problems between the two leaders are man-made and are therefore solvable. To me there's a parallel, as Devane's character seemingly, and underlyingly, tries to live up to that very ideal, even though he is dealing with a true enemy in Khrushchev and even though there's the added danger of mis-calculation. He must dedicate himself to peaceful resolution even as he must prepare for a possible all-out nuclear war. This is a sobering look at the brink of mutually-assured destruction and there is enough opportunity for gut-checks and penetratingly thoughtful re-evaluations of values, morals and objectives along the way. You don't want to miss this one!
Movie Review: Close To The Edge
Summary: 3 Stars
MISSILES OF OCTOBER feels too much like a stage play but, in an odd way, that feeling adds to the suspense of the film: you feel as trapped by circumstance and distance from ground zero (so to speak) as Kennedy and Khrushchev must have.The performances here are outstanding. I could never really believe Devane in any other part after this, and it took APOCALYPSE NOW to make Sheen something other than RFK in my mind.
Movie Review: Intelligent...Gripping...And True!
Summary: 5 Stars
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!Movie Review: Excellent Recreation
Summary: 5 Stars
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.Movie Review: Wonderful portrayal
Summary: 5 Stars
Missiles of October recounts the events surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 when the United States and the Soviet Union for the first-and last-time teetered on the brink of nuclear war. The screenplay is constructed from factual sources, such as official documents, interviews, and reports. Although some of the dialogue is dramatized, the story still follows with surprising accuracy, for Hollywood, of the events of those 13 deadly days. One of the highlights is Devane's portrayal of JFK. I have seen plenty of actors try to do Kennedy, but Devane nails the character. Sheen's RFK is equally powerfull. There are some historical shortcomings, like leaving LBJ out of the movie when in reality he was very much a part of the deliberations of the ExComm. Even with the occasional historical twist, this is a high quality and riveting portrayal of great events, great men, and two weeks that changed forever the way we lived.