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The Missiles of October |  | Director: Anthony Page
Actors: William Devane, Ralph Bellamy, Howard Da Silva, James Hong, Martin Sheen
Studio: Mpi Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $8.65
as of 11/23/2009 07:21 CST details
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Rating:  42 reviews
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 150 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: MPID6324D
ISBN: 0788603221
UPC: 030306632421
EAN: 9780788603228
Theatrical Release Date: December 18, 1974
Release Date: June 26, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
This recreation of the events leading up to the cuban missile crisis begins with kennedys discovery of soviet missiles in cuba & follows his difficult decision-making process. Commentary by william devane ralph bellamy martin sheen & howard da silva. Studio: Mpi Home Video Release Date: 06/26/2001 Run time: 150 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Anthony Page
Amazon.com
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
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 42
 "Just now, I work and he sleeps. Then, he works and I sleep. Perhaps soon we both sleep..." September 7, 2009
Chris (Biloxi, MS United States)
'The Missiles of October' is a very well made drama of the Cuban Missile Crisis. It does not have the flash of the more recent 'Thirteen Days' but it is very gripping in its own right. The movie is filmed almost as a play and I liked this aspect of it.
I really enjoyed William Devane's JFK. He really does a good job of playing this now larger than life character to a understandable level. The decisions that were made by Kennedy were truly momentous and Devane brings out the torture of every political move that JFK had to make. Martin Sheen is also good in his portrayal of RFK. Howard Da Silva deserves mention in his depiction of Nikita Khrushchev. The tightrope that Khrushchev was also walking is dramatized. 'Missiles of October' shows more of the Soviet side than was depicted in 'Thirteen Days'.
The DVD is sadly bare bones. The picture quality is decent and the sound adequate.
For any student of JFK, the Cold War, or the American Presidency this movie comes highly recommended!
PS: Kenny O'Donnell ,personal assistant to the president, wrote a very good memoir on working with JFK that I recommend called 'Johnny- We Hardly Knew Ye'. There are many interesting anecdotes about JFK and his political career. O'Donnell is a bit character in 'Missiles of October' but is played by Kevin Costner in 'Thirteen Days' and the story is told mainly through his eyes.
 Great Movie, Horrible DVD July 3, 2009
T. Kridel
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Missiles of October is like watching a play in the sense that the sets and physical action are minimal. That means you're focused on the actors, most of whom don't disappoint. Devane basically channels Kennedy.
The problem is that by being focused on the actors, it's impossible to miss the sync issues that make this DVD almost unwatchable. Voices lag mouths by a fraction of a second, which becomes really distracting when there are close-ups -- and there are plenty in this movie -- of an actor's face.
According to the Internet Movie Database, The Missiles of October "was originally shot on videotape, and first shown in this format, but when it was sold to local stations, it was transferred to film." Perhaps that transfer has something to do with the sync problems. Whatever the reason, it's unforgivable that this problem wasn't fixed before the DVD was issued.
I give the movie five stars and the DVD one.
Best ever recounting of the missile crisis. June 27, 2009
Karen M. Gray (new carlisle, oh United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I honestly think this is the best production of the Cuban Missile Crisis. William Devane's performance as Kennedy beats anything I've ever seen. Martin Sheen has Bobby Kennedy's mannerisms down to a T.
One of TV's best! March 4, 2009
Ronald Guest (USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I saw this on TV when it was aired several years ago. It is one of the best-acted docu-dramas made for TV, and with a few minor exceptions (like the absebce of Vice President LBJ who was in all the meetings), it hit the mark. I know several men in the armed forces and they agree the tension was as high as it was depicted.
Missles of October December 24, 2008
Walter J. Savage
Far and away the best "made for Tv" play I've ever seen.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 42
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