Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Few films have served history in such a unique fashion. We had the false story told in the Warren Commission Report but we never understood why. In 1973, only 10 years later, “Executive Action” gives us the answers under the cover of a fictional story. This movie was released and within two weeks it was yanked from theaters for unexplained reasons even though it was making huge profits. When you see it you’ll know why.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I had been looking for this DVD for several years, never thinking to look on eBay! It was as I remembered it. As the movie notes, it portrays what COULD have happened leading up to the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The movie "JFK" tends to make you believe it is entirely factual - "Executive Action" is based on some facts, as determined by the Warren Commission. The movie supposes how the alleged "plot" could have been planned and put into action. No, it's NOT Oscar material but the movie is entertaining. The performance of Robert Ryan was his last (for me, best remembered for his role in "The Dirty Dozen"). Ironically, it's Burt Lancaster's character who dies in the end.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
PLOT: schemers plan the death of JFK~ 1962~ a group of wealthy men and discuss the demise of JFK~ reasons are financial and political. As the US is drawn into the communist VietNam many feel Kennedy has not been "effective" as a leader. Others are very unhappy about his racial policies and also what they see Kennedys "brothers" being president for over many years from JFK to RFK to TEDDY. The men set up 2 "teams" of marksmen and experts on "black ops" aka covert killings. Will GREER is the man who sits on the fence about killing Kennedy. When Foreign Policy heats up GREER gives the "green light" to the covert plot to shoot Kennedy. This is fiction based on FACT and we see the buildings and "schemers" practice shooting. The DEADLY scheme moves forward. The "three" shooter theory emerges into FACT in this version. This is a very good movie full of good acting. This version speculates both an FBI and CIA "support" for this plot. AFTER the Bay of Pigs and the firing of CIA Chief Dulles they give a "motive" for their speculation. I give this 5 out of 5. Also we see how this group of men "set up Oswald" as a dupe. The "fall guy' including using him to shoot and the guy who is in the right place at the wrong time the book depository.Read full review
This is a gripping and somewhat realistic story of what it indeed might have been like if President Kennedy had actually been assassinated as a consequence of a homegrown American right wing conspiracy, put together by some very powerful but shadowy conservative extremists. The film's title "Executive Action," is supposedly derived from the phrase used by the CIA in the 1950s to describe its program of assassinations. Certainly, if a "vast right wing conspiracy," to use Hillary Clinton's phrase, had been the culprit in November of 1963, it could have very well gone down as portrayed in this film. Burt Lancaster, who was a very liberal Hollwywood star turns in a convincing performance as one of the well-heeled conspirators, as does Will Greer. Greer must have also had a particularly strong motive for making the American far right look as evil as possible, as he had been historically involved in leftist politics and was a victim of the infamous blacklist of Hollywood personnel, as a consequence of his refusal to testify before the ominous House Un Amnerican Activities Committee. Another major actor in this film, was also a known liberal Democrat. Robert Ryan, who died a few months before the flim's release, was active in the civil rights movement and in the peace movement. I originally saw this movie at the famous Groman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, when it was released, just about ten years after the actual assassination. I was in my first semester of law school at the time and was trying to grapple with how we can ascertain what is and what is not true when dealing with the claims of government. One does not have to be a conspiracy theorist to be entrhalled by this film. It certainly helps to be interested in the political hsitory of the 1960s, but this is not essential to enjoying the movie. 35 years, or so, after its release, I highly recommend this film to anyone interested in what might have truly happened on November 22, 1963, the day that America's Camelot ended, the day that America's optimistic innocence was torn from our grasp. Eddie Tabash 8-29-09Read full review
If you grew up in that era this is a fascinating "what if" movie. Almost two decades BEFORE Oliver Stones interpretation it brings into focus some the possible undercurrents that could have taking place. Since I do not subscribe to the lone gunman mindset it really gave me pause to think. The Goverment lied to us about the Gulf of Tonkin incident back then. So covering up embarrasing questions on the JFK Assasination to provide the "correct media picture" could have been easily done. The debate will not die but interest in it by the public will. The public forgets and really doesn't give a damn. Knowing the firearm used and the distance /target angles always left me with some real doubts in my mind. Some things were too neatly wrapped up (I believe)so as not to create a national furor. I guess we will not know for a 100 yrs or so. When they talk money in this movie remember they are talking in early 1960's dollars when a loaded car would cost $3,000. Figure your multiples from that. If anything it is scary and very disturbing. Enjoy!Read full review
Well for all of you who remember where you were on Nov. 22, 1963 you'll know what I'm talking about. The murder of JFK. Just who and how did it happen, you sitll wonder don't you? Do you believe the Warren Report, or do you have your own theories of who killed our 35th President. And don't some of us even question the official story of JFK Jrs. death? Executive Action is the story of how a few wicked men, who control not only the United States but practicaly the entire world's resources can kill anyone, if they want to. No other story of the Kennedy assassination could be closer to the truth. Executive Action is an essential to your collection of political who-done-its. Be sure and catch the interviews on the DVD with the actors, like Burt Lancaster & Robert Ryan, director and screenwriter who made this remarkably accurate & factual film of one of the most important events of our lifetime.Read full review
Saw this movie at the theater when it first came out in 1973. Very thought provoking then and, as all the documentaries and books that followed have proven, very plausible. Movie stands up well over the years. The one shooter only theory has been proven impossible time and time again. Acting is well done (ignore the hairstyles of Burt Lancaster and Robert Ryan). When the truth comes out (and it will eventually) enough time will have passed that the people will be able to deal with it. Had it come out any sooner, it would have torn the country apart. Makes one wonder about Robert Kennedy's assassination and the fear that, had he become president and had the power, would have exposed the truth. Highly recommend this movie to anyone who feels there was a conspiracy and that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone.Read full review
While JFK is a far superior film in terms of production values, EXECUTIVE ACTION succeeds because of it's lack of Hollywood glitz. The problem with Oliver Stone's film was that it was an information overload for the general public. While a JFK assassination buff like myself understands exactly what Stone's intent was, EXECUTIVE ACTION puts the JFK plot into simple terms. No overblown multi faceted killing armada. Just a group of like minded men planning and carrying out a killing. What makes the film so effective, is that this comes closer to reality that we might like to think. People know the truth when they see it. This is as good as it gets. Bravo.
This movie has met the rest of time. This is a foundational movie with information that was withheld from the so called Warren Commission in 1964. Then view, Manchurian Candidate, 1962 with Frank Sinatra. Follow up with 1991 Oliver Stone's JFK. These three will give the viewer a 90 %grasp. The crux is absent from all three however. That movie will never be produced. The crime was committed 54 years ago. The cover-up continues and will never be disclosed. One terrific movie..honest, intelligent, truthful but not complete
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This was done way, way, before Oliver Stone's JFK. He had to get some of his ideas from this controversial movie which was banned for a long time. Until recently you could not get a copy of this film. It was done in the early 70's and gives a fascinating 'spin' on the Kennedy Assignation as a conspiracy. It doesn't have (or need) the special effects that newer films have. The story line kept me hooked throughout. I highly recommend this 'sleeper' of a film. Burt Lancaster and the rest of the actors are excellent.