Product details

Actor: Gazzara, Greene
Edition: VHS Tape
Format: Color, NTSC
Release Date: 1999-04-07
Publisher: Republic Studios
Studio: Republic Studios

VHS Movie Reviews of The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald [VHS]

Movie Review: What might have been
Summary: 5 Stars

Suppose that Lee Harvey Oswald wasn't killed and made it to trial? This TV movie explores this idea and does it with enthusiam. John Pleshette as Oswald does fine, but both the attorneys really steal the show. To see them (Ben Gazzara/
prosecutor & Lorne Greene/defense) squaring off is quite satisfying. You also get to see both sides struggling -- even doubting when other authorities aren't releasing info on Oswald for some reason and crucial witnesses are being killed. Was Lee a patsy like he said?

What I really enjoyed was when they took the trial to scene of the crime (it really was) and were performing tests of firing the rifle at the moving car. This part was done well and had a little surprise, too.

In JFK, I didn't enjoy Kevin Costner's dull speech to the jury during closing statements. To me, this is a better than JFK. JFK comes across as merely a conspiracy flick & it has way too much info to digest. I think that the real truth of the assassination isn't fully known, but JFK seemed too rushed.

Here, we have a trial that never happened. Real facts are presented in a courtroom setting and they aren't overwhelming (investigation of length of disassemble rifle; can the witness really identify the sound of shell casings dropping on the floor above him?) but we know it never took place and so it becomes more of a courtroom drama. The balance between this and conspiracy is exciting.

A great purchase.

Movie Review: awsome movie!!!
Summary: 5 Stars

This movie is awsome. It's not as good as JFK by Oliver Stone, but some of the reenactments are just as good. I just wish there had been some more reenactments of the assassination or if they had shown the shooters on the grassy knoll like in JFK. But overall, this is a very very good movie. All the reenactments, like the actual assassination are actually shot at the original School Book Depository. You get to see how the book despository looked back then. This movie presents both sides of what actually happened and in the end, they come to the basic notion that Oswald couldn't have done it. The package that he took into the TSBD was in fact current roads because they are the only things that fit they way people say they saw Oswald holding the package. if he did take the rifle and did disasemble it, it still would have been to long to cuff it the length of his arm.
in the movie, they also explain the sounds of the bullet shells hitting the floor like some of the guys had said who were standing on the 5th floor. a very good movie to watch over and over and over.

Movie Review: Fascinating!
Summary: 5 Stars

I know this made-for-television movie aired sometime in 1976, but I can't for the life of me remember it. Regardless, I have discovered it now and I'm glad I did. Any student or researcher of the Kennedy assassination, or for that matter, anyone interested in the "crime of the century" should find this docudrama fascinating. Not only is it filmed on location (which alone makes it worth the price), it gives us both sides of the coin - conspiracy and lone gunman theories - in glorious color. Just the thought that if Oswald would have lived to stand trial makes this movie intriguing, even before you watch it. The acting is good, the reenactment of events (the assassination, the killing of Officer J. D. Tippit, etc.) are better than those in Stone's JFK and the thought-provoking innuendos are more than enough to keep one entertained throughout this three hour and twelve minute offering. I recommend this film to everyone who remembers (and those who weren't born yet) the Kennedy assassination. One note: the names of some of the major witnesses and players in the assassination have been changed for whatever reason, but this does not detract from the drama as it unfolds. All in all, it is a wonderful movie - to be enjoyed over and over again. I hope they put it out on DVD soon.

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