Review – The Kennedy Assassination: Beyond Conspiracy

This was an ABC News special rather than a movie, but I’m reviewing it here because it’s available on DVD, because it’s movie-length, and because a thing or two needs to be said about it. I’m deeply disappointed that a journalist with Peter Jennings’ reputation would associate himself with something this terrible. The report is an openly biased endorsement of the lone gunman theory, a recitation of the “facts” that makes no meaningful attempt to present more than one side of the story. Particularly galling is the repeated insistence that there is no evidence to support any other point of view. This is a lie. Two quick examples: the connections between Oswald, Guy Bannister and David Ferrie are almost completely ignored, as is the ease with which Oswald the defector managed to return to the United States. One might legitimately contend that this evidence is outweighed by other evidence supporting the theory that Oswald acted alone. It’s also legit to argue that the facts supporting conspiracy theories are inconclusive and don’t amount to positive proof. But when Jennings states that no such evidence even exists, he makes himself a liar or an idiot or an idiotic liar. This sort of “reporting” isn’t cold water on the flames of doubt about the official version. It’s just more fuel for the fire. Wish I’d skipped it