Thirteen Days (2000)

A dramatization of President Kennedy's administration's struggle to contain the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962.

Director:

Roger Donaldson

Writers:

David Self, Ernest R. May (book),

Stars:

Shawn Driscoll, Kevin Costner, Drake Cook

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shawn Driscoll	...	U-2 Pilot
Kevin Costner	...	Kenny O'Donnell
Drake Cook	...	Mark O'Donnell
Lucinda Jenney	...	Helen O'Donnell
Caitlin Wachs	...	Kathy O'Donnell
Jon Foster	...	Kenny O'Donnell, Jr.
Matthew Dunn	...	Kevin O'Donnell
Kevin O'Donnell	...	NPIC Photo Interpreter
Janet Coleman	...	Evelyn Lincoln
Bruce Thomas	...	Floyd
Stephanie Romanov	...	Jacqueline Kennedy
Bruce Greenwood	...	John F. Kennedy
Frank Wood	...	McGeorge Bundy
Dakin Matthews	...	Arthur Lundahl
Liz Sinclair	...	Kenny's Assistant #1

Storyline

In October, 1962, U-2 surveillance photos reveal that the Soviet Union is in the process of placing nuclear weapons in Cuba. These weapons have the capability of wiping out most of the Eastern and Southern United States in minutes if they become operational. President John F. Kennedy and his advisors must come up with a plan of action against the Soviets. Kennedy is determined to show that he is strong enough to stand up to the threat, and the Pentagon advises U.S. military strikes against Cuba--which could lead the way to another U.S. invasion of the island. However, Kennedy is reluctant to follow through, because a U.S. invasion could cause the Soviets to retaliate in Europe. A nuclear showdown appears to be almost inevitable. Can it be prevented?

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Plot Keywords:

missile | cuba | blockade | soviet union | military | 

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Taglines:

You'll Never Believe How Close We Came

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Genres:

Drama | History | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian Spanish Romanian

Release Date:

12 January 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

Trece días

Filming Locations:

Alhambra, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$80,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£330,822 (UK) (16 March 2001)

Gross:

ESP 172,811,365 (Spain) (29 June 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, Beacon Communications, Tig Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

145 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

(February 1, 2001) First film to be screened at the White House by President George W. Bush and Laura Bush. In attendance at the historic screening were members of the Kennedy family, members of Congress and personal friends of the President and First Lady.

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Goofs

Although the name of Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley is properly spelled in a prop banner during the film, he is referred to as Mayor "Daly" in the closing credits.

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Quotes

Robert McNamara: We'd look pretty bad shooting up a freighter full of baby food.

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Connections

References The Guns of August (1964)

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Soundtracks

"Hail To The Chief"
Written by James Sanderson (uncredited)
Arranged by Peter Tomashek
Courtesy of Megatrax Production Music, Inc.

User Reviews

Factual??

I served aboard the USS Joseph P. Kennedy which was depicted in the film. The Kennedy was the ship that boarded the Marcula in the waters off the Bahamas. The Kennedy, now part of Battleship cove in Fall River, Ma., actually played herself in the film. The actual boarding was not as quite dramatic as depicted in the movie.

The boarding party for instance did not wear dress white uniforms and the Marcula was more of a "rust bucket" than depicted in the movie. Although the 5 inch guns were aimed at the vessel, I don't recall a shot being fired.

As far as the movie is concerned I though it gave a rather accurate accounting of the circumstances that surrounded this time in history with a few embellishment's that are purely thrown in as theatrical license.