A peep into Cuban missile crisis between United States and Soviet Union
Thirteen Days looks at the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962 and how close the world came to an all-out nuclear war between the United States and the then Soviet Union. The crisis forced the Americans to contemplate the implications of a full- blown nuclear war.
US intelligence planes flying over Cuba, a communist country closely linked to the Soviet Union, discovered what looked like evidence that nuclear missiles were being built.
The US administration of the time of president John F Kennedy (Bruce Greenwood), called a secret emergency meeting to discuss the situation.
Although the Soviets claimed the Cuban missiles were only for defence purposes to deter the US from invading their ally Cuba, the weapons were capable of hitting cities like Washington DC.
The tension portrayed in Kennedy's agonising over the best course of action for all the world's people and to avoid nuclear war keeps the audience on the edge of its seat.
Scenes of president Kennedy and his main political adviser Ken O'Donnell (Kevin Costner) surrounded by family in domestic settings illustrate their conscience and compassion.
President Kennedy realises his Government has entered totally unknown territory and has to treat carefully as the future of the world is at stake. His character illustrates the point by mentioning a book about how military strategy is based on past wars. President Kennedy has to keep a level head and his own trigger-happy generals in check. His military advisers are all for bombing Cuba and cannot offer alternative options.
In the end, the Government comes up with the idea of setting up a blockade around Cuba. All ships heading there would be stopped and searched.
If they are found to be carrying arms, they would be turned back. If any ship refuses to stop, the US navy would fire a warning shot across its bow.
The Government's acts and political manoeuvres become like experiments in inventing a new and uncertain language.
President Kennedy gives strict instructions that no shots be fired without his express command. Later, when a navy commander gives orders to fire routine signal flares at a Russian ship that does not stop, a stressed out adviser thinks the commander is going against the president's orders.
When the misunderstanding is cleared up, the advisers shouts: 'This is not firing signal flares. This is the president of the US communicating with the president of the USSR.'
Thirteen Days is showing at AMC Festive Walk and on the UA circuit.
Verdict:
Graphic: F22GLO
Graphic: YPFRGLO
