Product Description

This moving documentary DVD, JFK: The Day the Nation Cried, looks back on the remarkable life and death of John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-1963), the 35th President of the United States of America. Poignantly narrated by James Earl Jones, the story is told through previously unseen and rare video footage, as well as home movies (Camelot, and the family compound of Hyannis Port), and exclusive historic videotape from WFAA, the Dallas station whose studios are located so near the infamous grassy knoll where the JFK was shot. Woven throughout the historic footage are recollections from Gerald Ford, Coretta Scott King, Tip O Neil, Peter, Paul and Mary, Isaac Stern, Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Ted Kennedy, and many others, all remembering the man who so deeply touched their lives. JFK s triumphs, failures, inspirations, and contributions to our history are all aptly covered and discussed in this expansive, award-winning DVD documentary. Combining the tragedy of John F. Kennedy s untimely death at the hands of Lee Harvey Oswald, with the remembrances of those who knew him best, and those who did not know him not at all but were affected and inspired by his life, this film allows us to see the events of his final days as they happened, from JFK s arrival in Dallas to his funeral in Washington four days later. Also included are excerpts from the Abraham Zapruder television interview & film, and JFK s many speeches (campaign and inauguration, Cuban missile crisis, equality & civil rights, & the Soviet speech at American University, among others), along with discussions concerning Lee Harvey Oswald, The Texas School Book Depository, and Jack Ruby. Other topics include establishing the Peace Corps and the Alliance for Progress, the Bay of Pigs, Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Communism, his marriage to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Kennedy s Pulitzer Prize winning book Profiles in Courage. As seen on TV, this film, JFK: The Day the Nation Cried, rediscovers President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, one of America s most beloved and tragic icons, who provided Americans with an unyielding message of hope and opportunity that has lived long beyond his untimely passing.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #79300 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-07-16
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 52 minutes

Amazon.com
This 1988 documentary narrated by actor James Earl Jones provides a generally admiring overview of the Kennedy years coupled with a touching look at how a shocked nation reacted to the death of JFK. Notables including former President Gerald Ford, former Speaker of the House Thomas "Tip" O'Neill, violinist Isaac Stern, and historian and Kennedy confidante Arthur Schlesinger Jr. reminisce about Kennedy, remembering how he inspired them and how his death touched them deeply. Home movies of the Kennedy family provide some biographical color. Rarely seen breaking news coverage aired only on a local Dallas station and interviews with witnesses to the assassination, including home movie buff Abraham Zapruder (who had just taken his famed film of Kennedy's motorcade), show the immediate reaction to the tragedy. This documentary is competently assembled, and while it doesn't provide any particularly surprising insights, it does offer a reasonably balanced look at Kennedy's achievements and lasting legacy. --Robert J. McNamara

Review
...this nostalgic video eschews the conspiracy theories to present a lovingly detailed tribute to a young President and the all-too-brief years of Camelot. ...movingly narrated... Scenes of Kennedy at play and with his young children lend a special poignancy. ...does not gloss over the low points...This video is a piece of history well worth owning. --USA Today

Review
There have been countless programs made that profile the late President, but this is by far the most comprehensive and the most effective. --Billboard Magazine

Customer Reviews

1988 historically documentary on Kennedy's life and death
This is the first-ever DVD edition of this 1988 documentary on the assassination hosted by James Earl Jones, produced by WFAA, ABC's Dallas affiliate. During the 25th anniversary, this documentary aired on ABC, and it is unique because it mostly deals with everything America "lost" in 1963 as opposed to the minute-by-minute details of the assassination. In fact, Kennedy's actual death is not mentioned till near the end of this 50 minute documentary. The majority of the program deals with Kennedy's rise to the presidency and his time in office. Other than some slanted references about "a man with a rifle in a window," this documentary remains pleasantly unbiased. It is the life and death of JFK from a historical perspective. The only bonus feature is an edited newsreel of sorts that offers about ten additional minutes of (mostly poor quality) black and white footage of JFK (only 30 secs. about the assassination, though). Overall, this DVD edition is worth it to have all the vintage news footage in a digital format. If you are interested in the details of the actual assassination, buy "The Men Who Killed Kennedy" on DVD instead.

very good tribute to JFK (and some great vintage footage, too)
I recommend this dvd for all lovers of JFK. I especially liked the comments of Dave Powers, Red Fay, and Carol Channing. That said, the main reason to get this dvd is for the vintage footage, especially the high-quality segment from Love Field 11/22/63 wherein Secret Service agent Henry J. Rybka is waved off the rear area of the limousine by ATSAIC/ Shift Leader Emory P. Roberts (as discovered by myself in 1991 and shown on The Men Who Killed Kennedy, again by myself, in 2003).
Vince Palamara-JFK/ Secret Service expert (History Channel, author of two books, in over 30 other author's books, etc.)
Pittsburgh, PA

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good tape
this tape only briefly mentions on JFK's assassination. it mostly talks about his life and how he rose to power. James Earl Jones is the narrator and also talks very briefly about JFK's assassination.
still a good tape for those who liked Kennedy.