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From Amazon.co.uk
On its theatrical release Thirteen Days was pummelled by American critics for taking liberties with the facts of the Cuban missile crisis and smothering its compelling drama with phoney Boston accents by its primary stars. But anyone who enjoys taut, intelligent political thrillers will find little to complain about here. Co-star and co-producer Kevin Costner drew criticism for fictionally enhancing the White House role of presidential aide Kenneth O'Donnell, but while Costner's Boston accent may be grating, his fine performance as O'Donnell offers expert witness to the crisis, its nerve-wracking escalation and the efforts of John F Kennedy (Bruce Greenwood) and Robert F Kennedy (Steven Culp) to negotiate a peaceful settlement with Russia. While Soviet missiles approach operational status in Cuba, director Roger Donaldson (who directed Costner in No Way Out) cuts to exciting US Navy flights over the missile site, ramping up the tension that history itself provided. Donaldson's occasional use of black and white is self-consciously distracting, and he's further guilty of allowing a shrillness (along with repetitive, ominous shots of nuclear explosions) to invade the urgency of David Self's screenplay. Still, as Hollywood history lessons go, Thirteen Days is riveting stuff. You may find yourself wondering what might happen if reality presented a repeat scenario under less intelligent leadership.--Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
Product Description
DVD Special Features:
Audio Commentary - Historical
Deleted Scenes - Includes full commentary
Introduction to Visual Effects
Multi-angle Scene
Historical Documentary - "Roots of the Cuban Missile Crisis"
Production Documentary - "Bringing History to the Screen"
Biographical Sketches
Theatrical Trailer
Historical Information Track
Cast and Crew Filmographies
Languages: Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Subtitles: English/ English for the hearing impaired
Widescreen Format 1.85:1
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
36 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By A. Drummond
Format:DVD
In short, this is the best dramatisation in existence of JFK's presidential term. Although it was slammed by some critics for taking liberties with historical fact (namely Kenny O'Donnell filling in for numerous other presidential aids), this film is remarkably accurate and manages to maintain a strong air of suspense. To most people, the Cuban Missle Crisis is nothing but a paragraph in an old history text book but Thirteen Days brings it to life perfectly.
Kevin Costner's Boston accent is a little too strong in some scenes. We all know this, he's so bad at accents it's almost funny (see Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) but that hardly derives from the film as a whole thanks to his excellent co-stars.
Steven Culp is utterly convincing as the slightly awkward Attorney General Robert Kennedy but it is Canadian actor Bruce Greenwood who should have got an Oscar nomination (the film recieved none due to it's lack of box office success). Greenwood nails the mannerisms and actions of JFK flawlessly and shows Kennedy as a man plagued by huge decisions, each of which could be fatal for all concerned (ie everyone).
Thirteen Days is a superbly made film which will impress you whatever you may think about Kevin Costner.
I'm also recommending the soundtrack
Kevin Costner's Boston accent is a little too strong in some scenes. We all know this, he's so bad at accents it's almost funny (see Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) but that hardly derives from the film as a whole thanks to his excellent co-stars.
Steven Culp is utterly convincing as the slightly awkward Attorney General Robert Kennedy but it is Canadian actor Bruce Greenwood who should have got an Oscar nomination (the film recieved none due to it's lack of box office success). Greenwood nails the mannerisms and actions of JFK flawlessly and shows Kennedy as a man plagued by huge decisions, each of which could be fatal for all concerned (ie everyone).
Thirteen Days is a superbly made film which will impress you whatever you may think about Kevin Costner.
I'm also recommending the soundtrack
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By HighlandLass
Format:DVD
As a history student and a Kennedy fan this film was a must for me!! I was slightly dubious before watching this as to its historical accuracy but this film is by no means inaccurate. Yes there are a few embellished details but all in all this is almost accurate, The role of O'Donnell has been enhanced but the roles of Jack and Bobby Kennedy have been in no way exaggerated. They really were this important in pretty much saving the world from nuclear war!!
This film is a taut, gripping thriller, which even though most viewers will know the outcome of the crisis, still has you sat on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen and marvelling at how close we actaully came to nuclear war. The performances of the main stars has to be admired as all gave fine performances. Costner was fine as O'Donnell, though his accent was a little annoying. The real stars of the film, despite Costner's top billing, were Greenwood and Culp. Greenwood had quite obviously painstakingly studied tapes of Kennedy as his mannerisms were spot on and Culp as Bobby was completely fantastic. I had to look twice to check it wasnt actually Bobby Kennedy he had the mannerisms, attitude and even the voice off perfectly.
All in all this is a highly enjoyable film about a fascinating time that hasnt been ruined by the embellishments and fantascism of Hollywood! Well worth a look!
This film is a taut, gripping thriller, which even though most viewers will know the outcome of the crisis, still has you sat on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen and marvelling at how close we actaully came to nuclear war. The performances of the main stars has to be admired as all gave fine performances. Costner was fine as O'Donnell, though his accent was a little annoying. The real stars of the film, despite Costner's top billing, were Greenwood and Culp. Greenwood had quite obviously painstakingly studied tapes of Kennedy as his mannerisms were spot on and Culp as Bobby was completely fantastic. I had to look twice to check it wasnt actually Bobby Kennedy he had the mannerisms, attitude and even the voice off perfectly.
All in all this is a highly enjoyable film about a fascinating time that hasnt been ruined by the embellishments and fantascism of Hollywood! Well worth a look!
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By H. R. Trigg
Format:DVD
This film tells the story of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 60's from within The White House.
Brilliantly acted by the 3 main leads (once you get over Costners irritating voice - which I assume was accurate), the film is a very interesting look at the 13 days that nearly changed the face of the world we live in now. Its interesting to see exactly how close 'we' came to nuclear war.
Only a couple of criticisms of the film is that (for me) the tension didn't build. Thats partly because we 'know' the end result, however i feel it could still have been cranked up a bit. And it would seem everytime the director introduces another historical figure, it all goes black and white??? The first time this happened, I assumed my dvd was faulty.
As for accuracy - who knows, Hollywood has a knack for 'exaggeration' during historical retellings, and it did feel a little 'too' pro-US (the Russians cant have been COMPLETELY to blame surely?) but either way, this is a very interesting, well acted and enjoyable movie.
Brilliantly acted by the 3 main leads (once you get over Costners irritating voice - which I assume was accurate), the film is a very interesting look at the 13 days that nearly changed the face of the world we live in now. Its interesting to see exactly how close 'we' came to nuclear war.
Only a couple of criticisms of the film is that (for me) the tension didn't build. Thats partly because we 'know' the end result, however i feel it could still have been cranked up a bit. And it would seem everytime the director introduces another historical figure, it all goes black and white??? The first time this happened, I assumed my dvd was faulty.
As for accuracy - who knows, Hollywood has a knack for 'exaggeration' during historical retellings, and it did feel a little 'too' pro-US (the Russians cant have been COMPLETELY to blame surely?) but either way, this is a very interesting, well acted and enjoyable movie.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
It was great
Good suspence, thouroughly enjoyed watching it. The film is based on a great piece of History, I would recomend this to anyone doing History GCSE and needs to learn more about the... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Gruffudd Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
A really well-produced movie, with powerful acting throughout. This movie really brings across how close the World came to all-out nuclear war, with a behind the scenes look at the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Terence Fox airframes.
4.0 out of 5 stars
AT THE BRINK OF APOCALYPSE
Hard to fathom now how close we came to nuclear suicide[crops in Chernobyl area still harvest as radioactive as a more recent reminder]. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Hunter S Thompson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect
Dvd arrived within a few days literally. Thoroughly enjoyed watching it. Excellent service and precisely as described. Would happily recommend this product.
Published 2 months ago by Miss Lynn Jennings
5.0 out of 5 stars
ON TARGET
Superb production,excellent acting and edge of you seat drama.
Even though you know the outcome the tension is still there in bucketfulls.
Well worth buying.
Even though you know the outcome the tension is still there in bucketfulls.
Well worth buying.
Published 3 months ago by KEN Q XVH
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superior!
s i m p l y d o e s n ' t g e t a n y b e t t e r !
Published 3 months ago by Christian Edlmayer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great film
A great film. It's quite remarkable considering it is based on true events. Dramatic and with momentum. Good performance by the principal actors.
Published 6 months ago by PETER B GOODLIFF
5.0 out of 5 stars
one of the best kennedy films
of course its about the cuba crisis , but the acting
is superb, of course you do tend to think(lemay) the generals
wanted a war, so in fact wanted to oust kennedy and... Read more
is superb, of course you do tend to think(lemay) the generals
wanted a war, so in fact wanted to oust kennedy and... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. White R. Gwyn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gold medal caliber!!!
Fantastic film with great cast , great performances , great education of the Cuban missile crisis , and fantastic special features and historical documentary which educates about... Read more
Published 9 months ago by davidinator
4.0 out of 5 stars
This should still be compulsory viewing
My mother called me John after John F. Kennedy and after watching this film I knew why. Had Kennedy listened to the 'hawks' in his inner circle I probably wouldn't be writing this... Read more
Published 19 months ago by LXIX
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