For years this event has been replayed, dissected and conspiracy theories have been hypothized about maybe this wasn't just one man's plan. Lee Harvey Oswald is the one that history records as the man that pulled the fatal trigger. But we never got a trial cause Jack Ruby killed Oswald before he could stand trial.
In 1964 a unique film experience was produced to put Lee Harvey Oswald on trial. The film was pulled and not available to watch. Now the good folks at VCI Entertainment and MVD Visual for the 60th anniversary of the film's release are releasing "The Trail of Lee Harvey Oswald" on DVD!
On November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, the brutal assassination of the 35th U.S. President, John F. Kennedy took place. The man accused of perpetrating this tragic murder was U.S. Marine veteran and Dallas resident, Lee Harvey Oswald. However, before Oswald could be tried and found innocent or guilty of the charge, he was murdered by a local night club owner named Jack Ruby, on November 24, 1963. This film is a courtroom dramatization, utilizing facts and evidence obtained from public records and eyewitness accounts (The names of the witnesses and sources of information have been changed and withheld to protect the privacy of the individuals) and is only to portray what might have happened had Oswald been brought to trial. Shown for the first time in 1964, it was immediately pulled from circulation for unknown reasons and has not been shown publicly since.
There have been many interesting courtroom films in the history of cinema, 12 Angry Men, Witness for the Prosecution, Inherit the Wind, To Kill a Mocking Bird, and Anatomy of the Murder just to name a few. The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald is so unique it deserves a place among these films.
What makes The Trail of Lee Harvey Oswald so unique is that this is a film about trail that never took place. But it gives the viewer the details on the evidence found, Oswald's background and mental state, and really let's the viewer make the decision on whether Oswald was guilty or innocent.
Now I won't say it is the greatest courtroom drama ever produced. It isn't not by a longshot. But I feel this is a very important film. Now in this film you will not find any big names. Charles Mazyrack plays Lee Harvey Oswald, George Edgley is the Presiding Judge, Arthur Nations is Prosecuting Attorney Atkins, George R. Russell is the Defense Attorney Tyler and Howard Ware is the Bailiff. But all the actors put there all into this film and it really feels like a real trial.
This film has been transferred to DVD. It is presented in widescreen format. The audio is a LPCM 2.0. There is the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. The film's transfer is really nice. The black and white film stock is crisp and clean. I didn't find any signs of damage or digital artifacts impeding the watching of this film. The audio is clear with no hiss or pops. It is a very nice looking copy of this film.
Now in addition to a beautiful looking print. VCI Entertainment and MVD Visual have added a very cool bonus feature. There is an almost 30 minute short film A Thousand Days: A Tribute to John F. Kennedy. In this short we see the legacy of JFK in the White House as the leader of the free world. This short film was narrated by Richard Basehart, and what a great job he does.
My dad (as a history teacher) passed his love for history on to me. Perhaps that is why I really enjoyed seeing this film. I can only imagine what it must have been like to live through this time. To see the beloved president assassinated and the country mourning. The uncertainty of the future without the iconic JFK leading the country. I can only imagine, but through film I can experience what people felt and that is amazing.
So, if you enjoy film about historical events as much as I do. I think this DVD release of The Trail of Lee Harvey Oswald is a release you will want for you collection. Head over to Amazon and order your copy today.
Out of 4 Film Reels (4 being the best) The Trail of Lee Harvey Oswald receives.....
 VCI Entertainment DVD Review){kind=link}
0 Comments