Thirteen Days (2000)


Kevin Costner           Kenny O Donnell
Bruce Greenwood         John F Kennedy
Steven Culp             Robert F Kennedy
Dylan Baker             Robert McNamara
Michael Fairman         Adlai Stevenson
Henry Strozier          Dean Rusk
Frank Wood              McGeorge Bundy
Kevin Conway            General Curtis LeMay
Tim Kelleher            Ted Sorensen
Len Cariou              Dean Acheson
Bill Smitrovich         General Maxwell Taylor
Shawn Driscoll          U2 Pilot
Drake Cook              Mark O'Donnell
Lucinda Jenney          Helen O'Donnell
Caitlin Wachs           Kathy O'Donnell
Jon Foster              Kenny O Donnell Jr
Matthew Dunn (II)       Kevin O'Donnell
Kevin O'Donnell (II)    NPIC Photo Interpreter
Janet Coleman           Evelyn Lincoln
Bruce Thomas (III)      Floyd
Stephanie Romanov       Jacqueline Kennedy
Dakin Matthews          Arthur Lundahl

Directed by:            Roger Donaldson, Dennis Washington
Produced by:            Peter Kuran (II), Ilona Herzberg, Michael de Luca


As viewed through the eyes of a presidential aide, an inside look at the intense high stakes battle 
that raged within the U.S. government -- between the Kennedys, the CIA and the Pentagon -- as the world 
stood at the brink of nuclear war. The true story focuses on how President Kennedy, his brother Bobby, 
and the U.S. government responded to the discovery of offensive nuclear weapons in Cuba--and the 
life-or-death tug-of-war that ensued between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. during those thirteen days of crisis 
in October 1962. The political saga moves from battles in the White House to the skies above Cuba, where 
U.S. planes dodge Soviet fire; to the high seas, where a showdown between the U.S. and Soviet naval ships 
threatens to trigger war; to the massive military preparations that presage war.

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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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The year is 1962. USAF U-2 spy planes discover that the USSR is placing nuclear ballistic missiles in Cuba. 
The Chiefs of Staff warn President Kennedy and his cabinet that the missiles have the potential to kill up 
to 80 million Americans, and destroy a large number of USAF bomber bases - thus crippling the Americans' 
ability to retaliate and leaving the country an easy target for Soviet invasion. Fortunately, the missiles 
are not yet operational, and the President and his staff try to figure out how to get the missiles out of 
Cuba - whether by diplomatic means or by force. Initially, diplomatic attempts fail as the Soviets lie and 
stonewall the President. Secretary of Defence Robert McNamara comes up with a different plan - a naval 
blockade of Cuba to keep new missiles from reaching the country. When the Russians ignore the blockade and 
try to run it, things quickly go from bad to worse. Will the Americans & Soviets come to a peaceful 
settlement - or will nuclear war result? 

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In the early days of October 1962, U.S. spy planes photograph the impending installation of Soviet missile 
sites in Cuba. While there is widespread agreement that the missiles must not be allowed, there is no clear 
way to ensure that. The military feels that their destruction followed by the invasion of Cuba is likely the 
only option. President Kennedy realizes however that to do so, would lead the Soviet Union to invade West 
Berlin with the result being an all out war. He pushes his subordinates, coordinated by brother Bobby, to come 
up with an alternative solution. Secretary of Defence Robert McNamara proposes a naval blockade of Cuba which 
the U.S. initiates with the backing of the Organization of American States. Throughout the 13 day crisis, the 
President and his inner circle struggle to rein those who would take unilateral action and through back 
channels, tries to communicate with the Soviet leadership and provide them with a face-saving solution to 
their mutual dilemma.