http://thefilmarchive.org/ DVD: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O3R4GC/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=d...
John F. Kennedy: Years of Lightning, Day of Drums is a ninety-minute filmed memorial tribute to President John F. Kennedy, who had been assassinated on November 22, 1963. It was completed in 1964, and released to theatres by Embassy Pictures in 1966. The film, containing both color and black-and-white footage, is narrated by Gregory Peck, and features extensive excerpts from President Kennedy's speeches, including color footage of his swearing in and inaugural address. It was written and directed by Bruce Herschensohn, who also composed the music - long before he was recognized as a noted conservative.
"Years of Lightning..." was produced by the United States Information Agency, and was originally not intended for viewing by the general public. However, the quality of the film was considered so outstanding that a special act of Congress allowed it to be shown in regular motion picture theatres, a rare honor for USIA films. Two years after the film's actual completion, it made its debut in regular movie houses. A soundtrack album from the film, featuring both music and narration was also issued, but it is unavailable on CD.
Released before JFK's extramarital activities were even made public, the film concentrates only on his achievements in office, among them the launching of the Peace Corps, the successful resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the successful attempt to put American astronauts into outer space, the beginning of the Alliance for Progress, the signing of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and Kennedy's original drafting of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, alternating coverage of these achievements with somber footage of the funeral procession carrying Kennedy's casket. It also does not hint that any conspiracy was involved in Kennedy's assassination, placing the blame directly on Lee Harvey Oswald.
John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President at noon on January 20, 1961. In his inaugural address he spoke of the need for all Americans to be active citizens, famously saying, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." He also asked the nations of the world to join together to fight what he called the "common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself." He added: "All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin." In closing, he expanded on his desire for greater internationalism: "Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you."
In its scope, the address also reflected Kennedy's confidence that his administration would chart a historically significant course in both domestic policy and foreign affairs. The contrast between this optimistic vision and the pressures of managing daily political realities at home and abroad would be one of the main tensions running through the early years of his administration.
Kennedy brought to the White House a stark contrast in organization compared to the decision making structure of the former general, Eisenhower; and he wasted no time in dismantling it. Kennedy preferred the organizational structure of a wheel, with all the spokes leading to the president. He was ready and willing to make the increased number of quick decisions required in such an environment, and did a monumental job of selecting his cabinet and other appointments, some experienced and some not. In those cases of inexperience, he stated, "we can learn our jobs together." There were a couple instances where the president got ahead of himself, as when he announced in a cabinet meeting, without prior notice, that Edward Lansdale would be Ambassador to South Vietnam, a decision which Secretary of State Rusk later had Kennedy alter. There was also the rapid appointment of Harris Wofford who was summoned and arrived at the White House for swearing in, without knowing the position he was to assume.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy
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Excellent JFK Documentaryby bobharris7780,489 views
United States and the Soviet Union removed their respective leaders further to a secret agreement during the Cuba crisis. Both Kennedy and Khrushchev were very sick and therefore dangerous.
ldavidovich1 2 weeks ago
Last great honest Democratic President.
Jantv81 3 weeks ago
The assassination of President John F. Kennedy. E.Howard Hunt In audio recordings, discussions and writings, said that he and several others were involved in a conspiracy to kill President Kennedy. He said the codename the conspirators gave for the operation was "The Big Event." The other alleged conspirators included David Phillips, Cord Meyer, Frank Sturgis, David Morales, William Harvey, a French gunman, Lucien Sarti, who worked for the Mafia, and Lyndon B. Johnson.
callmebigpapa 4 weeks ago
Fitting tribute to a great man - JFK
marcbrillant 1 month ago
I don't care how they make it look. I don't know anything about the bush family, but I do know one thing and that my friends is doing my homework. And I have looked and over looked the JFK assassination and everything points to the LIAR George H W Bush. He lied about being in Dallas and being in the CIA in 1963. Of course he lied. This would have gave him direct connection to Jack Ruby. I'm betting that it was George H W Bush himself that gave Jack Ruby the entry that he needed to get to Lee.
darkwindow31 1 month ago
Oh now this will make you think a little.... its funny how in trial, even though they gave him the death penalty, Jack Ruby pleads "not guilty"? Wtf... the man shot Lee in full view of national television. And then tries to enter a plea of insanity. Now, didn't John W Hinckley Jr enter a plea of insanity aswell- "schizophrenia"? Bullshit.. Karl Allen said, "John Patler was framed by the ADL." Both Patler & Oswald were discharged from the marines for the same reasons. "Unsuitable". I
darkwindow31 1 month ago
Alongside George Lincoln Rockwell. You remember who else was connected to the Bush crime family- John W Hinckley Jr. The would be assassin of Ronald Reagan.
darkwindow31 1 month ago
Now this is the kicker. Both JFK & Ronald Reagan spoke up against the wall of Berlin. Founder of the American nazi party, George Lincoln Rockwell thought Adolf Hitler as a God. The man who assassinated George L. Rockwell was John Patler. John Patler was in the marines alongside who else but Lee Harvey Oswald- accused killer of JFK. I bet my balls that John Patler and Lee Harvey were best of friends. To far fetched you say? Ok, how about George H W Bush SR being in the navy (continued)
darkwindow31 1 month ago
This is very interesting. I just figured out something new that also makes sense to my theory. J. Edgar Hoover (founder of the FBI) wanted the mob or Mafia to disappeare. This meant that this was bad news for Jack Ruby because he had the connections to the mob (Al Capone & Santos Traficante) and the CIA. But in the other hand Lee Harvey Oswald was an informant for the FBI. Record shows that the FBI and the CIA neither got along.
darkwindow31 1 month ago
Oh.... and the Mafia wanted Robert Kennedy too. Almost forgot that it was Robert who was going after the mob.
darkwindow31 2 months ago