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In 1962, unbeknownst to all but a select few, the world hovered on the brink of nuclear war for nearly two weeks. That agonizingly tense period, as experienced by the leaders of our government, is dramatized superbly in the suspenseful Thirteen Days. It began with the discovery that Russian missiles were being deployed in Cuba, a development totally unacceptable to both President John F. Kennedy (Bruce Greenwood) and the Pentagon big shots already spoiling for a fight with the Soviet Union. Counseled by his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy (Steven Culp), and chief domestic adviser Kenny O'Donnell (top-billed Kevin Costner), JFK tries every trick at the diplomatic playbook in hopes of defusing an incendiary crisis. Director Roger Donaldson, who helmed Costner's 1987 breakout film, No Way Out, is punctilious in his re-creation of time and place, although he takes occasional liberties with the historical record -- combining characters and altering the sequence of events -- in trying to capture the essence of those extraordinarily perilous 13 days. Costner, the ostensible star, gets plenty of screen time; O'Donnell's role in the situation's management is somewhat inflated. But it's Greenwood, most frequently seen as a smooth villain, who rates the kudos for his compelling portrayal of JFK. A carefully crafted mixture of history and entertainment, Thirteen Days is an edge-of-the-seat thriller -- a remarkable achievement considering that, four decades later, we go into the movie already knowing how the crisis was resolved. Costner, Donaldson, and screenwriter David Self participate in a feature-length commentary for the DVD, which also includes deleted scenes, cast and crew bios, DVD-ROM content (including script-to-screen presentation), and historical notes on the real-life people who figured in the crisis. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

Director Roger Donaldson teams up with star Kevin Costner for another political thriller (after their 1987 pairing, No Way Out), only this time with a film based on the actual events surrounding the Cuban missile crisis of 1962, taking place during the titular thirteen days wherein the U.S. and the Soviet Union nearly engaged in full-scale nuclear war. After President John F. Kennedy (Bruce Greenwood) is shown photographs from a spy plane detailing the presence of missiles in Cuba capable of obliterating massive areas of the U.S., he must immediately decide the most effective course of action for the country. With the aid of best friend and special assistant Kenny O'Donnell (Kevin Costner) and brother Robert (Steven Culp), the President must avoid a dire chain of events that could be dictated by General Curtis LeMay (Kevin Conway), who would rather take immediate action and invade Cuba. After initial reticence about leaking the information to the nation, President Kennedy eventually tells of the conflict, leading to widespread panic and a blockade of Cuba. With the aid of Robert McNamara (Dylan Baker) and Adlai Stevenson (Michael Fairman), the leaders must find a way to alleviate the tension of the situation. Thirteen Days also features Walter Adrian as Lyndon Johnson. Jason Clark

Village Voice

A tense and engrossing political thriller. J. Hoberman

Product Details

• UPC: 794043520228
• Source: NEW LINE HOME VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English
• Time: 2:27:00
• Sales Rank: 173

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• 15 Minutes / Frequency / Thirteen Days

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