Truth Is The Only Client: The Official Investigation of the Murder of John F. Kennedy movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Truth Is The Only Client: The Official Investigation of the Murder of John F. Kennedy

Available on Video On Demand on November 17, 2020

RATING: NR (blood images though)

LENGTH: 135 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A-

IN A NUTSHELL:

Everyone seems to have their own theory about who really killed President John F. Kennedy.

Vincent Bugliosi, author of “Reclaiming History: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy” is interviewed in the documentary and stated, “It’s now the most complex murder case, by far, in world history. Nothing even remotely comes close.”

A new documentary exploring the unvarnished facts of the Kennedy Assassination, as told by the Warren Commission investigators, credible experts, and by the ﬁrst person accounts of people close to the events of the day. Without relying on conjecture or speculation, this ﬁlm lays out the actual evidence discovered in the case, and in so doing dispels the myths and conspiracy theories that have perpetuated through the decades.

This ﬁlm explores what these men thought at the time of the investigation and what their views are today. It offers a thorough examination of the hard evidence of the case, updated with the beneﬁt of the passage of time. It is a unique view into the workings of history and, perhaps, one of the only remaining opportunities for people to judge for themselves the effectiveness and conclusions of The Warren Commission. This work may be the last chance to probe those individuals who conducted a long and exhaustive investigation.

The documentary is hosted by Judge Brendan Sheehan. He stated, “For me, that’s the lasting tragedy of the assassination. It’s become a signpost of the end of trust in our government. Yet, when you think about it, our system persevered and moved forward in spite of the coverups and destroyed evidence.”

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Most kids and some adults will be extremely bored.
No profanity
You’ll have to explain to kids why John F. Kennedy’s murder has caught the attention of conspiracy theorists for years.
You see footage of the actual moment when JFK was shot, which is bloody and shocking.
Pictures and talk of firearms

THEMES:

Truth vs. lies
Government
Power & control

THINGS I LIKED:

Great opening scene.
You get to see lots of original footage of the time.
The interviews include Co-Producers / Directors: Todd Kwait and Rob Stegman
Featuring:
Howard Willens, Warren Commission Counsel and Staff Liaison
Judge Burt Griffin, Warren Commission Counsel
David Slawson, Warren Commission Counsel
Ruth Paine, owner of the home where Marina Oswald lived in November 1963
Bernie Weismann, placed an article in Dallas Morning News, seeming to threaten the President
Robert Blakey, Chief Counsel of the Chief Counsel and Staff Director,
S. House Select Committee on Assassinations (1977-1979)
Vincent Bugliosi, Assassination Expert (Reclaiming History), Charles Manson prosecutor
Patricia Johnson McMillan, author of Marina and Lee
David Robarge, CIA Historian
Judge Brendan Sheehan, Kennedy Expert
Judge Ellen Connally, Kennedy Expert and Historian
Steve Barber, Acoustics Investigator
You’ll learn a lot of facts about the investigation and all of the people involved in it.
Lee Harvey Oswald was claimed to have illusions of grandeur. He even named his diary “Historic Diary.” He wanted to do something significant and memorable with his life. Mission accomplished.
Several common conspiracy theories are addressed and related to the facts and evidence found.
The material is presented as both formal reviews and casual conversations with those associated with the investigations.
Keep watching during the closing credits to see more video interviews.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It’s a pretty straightforward documentary with no fluffy artistry in the telling.
Some adults will be very bored.
Conspiracy theorists will probably be disappointed because a LOT of the facts are not addressed at all…

INTERESTING LINES:

“The danger of adhering to endless conspiracy theories is that it makes people apathetic and leads them to poor decision-making.” – Judge Brendan Sheehan
“Maybe it’s time to view the history of the assassination with a critical eye and to separate facts from speculation.” – Judge Brendan Sheehan
“President Kennedy was a hero for our generation.” – Justice Stephen Breyer
“The Kennedy assassination was the most important murder in the case of world history.” – Vincent Bugliosi, author of “Reclaiming History: The Assassination of John F. Kennedy”

SPECIAL EVENT THIS WEEK at the DOC NYC

Saturday November 14th, 2020
8pm EST / 5pm PST

You’re invited to a special LIVE online screening of the documentary film The Test & the Art of Thinking. on SATURDAY Nov 14th

Click on “Get Your Tickets” to register and watch for FREE on Gathr at Home.

Immediately following the film will be an exclusive LIVE panel discussion about the SAT & ACT, college admissions, and what parents and students need to know as we head into 2021.