Review of Executive Action (1973) by Michael R — 28 Feb 2010

3: The documentary footage is spectacularly effective, as are the scenes in which the backroom power brokers plot Kennedy's assassination. It seems to be a pretty credible concept, just as those proposed in Oliver Stone's JFK seem to be.

I'm no expert, but there are so many little strands of evidence that could lead one to believe Oswald did not commit the crime, or at least didn't do it alone. I know there are many counterarguments, but I wouldn't call either case entirely solid.

I'd say an even better examination would simply be a fact by fact handling of the case. The fact that so many witnesses died from unnatural causes so soon after the assassination is certainly one of the stronger points in the conspiracy theories favor.

I still think Mad Men's handling of the assassination is the best example of it I've seen on film, but this is a very creditable and entertaining interpretation. Lancaster is particularly potent and outstanding.

Robert Ryan is good as well. It seems pretty incredible how much was packed into a 90 minute picture.