Thirteen Days (2000)

Actors: John Aylward (actor), Dylan Baker (actor), Charles Barrett (actor), Elya Baskin (actor), Sean Bergin (actor), Jack Blessing (actor), Michael R Bowman (actor), Len Cariou (actor), Chris Henry Coffey (actor), Kelly Connell (actor), Kevin Conway (actor), Drake Cook (actor), Kevin Costner (actor), Walter Cronkite (actor), Walter Adrian (actor),

Plot: 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?

Keywords: 1960s, a-shot-across-the-bow, admiral, aerial-surveillance-photograph, air-force-jet, airforce-one, airplane-shot-down, american-intelligence, american-politics, american-president
Genres: Drama, History, Thriller,
Taglines: You'll Never Believe How Close We Came

Quotes:

Kenny O'Donnell: If the sun comes up tomorrow, it is only because of men of good will. And that's - that's all there is between us and the devil.

Robert McNamara: This is not a blockade. This is language. A new vocabulary, the likes of which the world has never seen! This is President Kennedy communicating with Secretary Khrushchev!

Kenny O'Donnell: Adlai! It's Ken; how you doin'?::Adlai Stevenson: Busy, Ken. What do you need?::Kenny O'Donnell: The president told me to pass the word to you: Stick it to them!::Adlai Stevenson: I hear you. I'm glad it's you calling; I thought it would be Bobby.::Kenny O'Donnell: Adlai, the world has to know we're right. If we're gonna have a chance at a political solution we need international pressure... You gotta be tough, Adlai. You need to find it, buddy.::Adlai Stevenson: If they're still sticking to their stonewalling stategy, I'll get them. I'm an old political cat, Kenny, but I've got one life left.::Kenny O'Donnell: I know you do.

[about the Joint Chiefs of Staff]::Kenny O'Donnell: They want a war, Jack, and they're arranging things to get one.

General Curtis LeMay: Those goddamn Kennedys are gonna destroy this country if we don't do something about this!

President Kennedy: [slams fist] *I* have the authority! I am the commander in chief of the United States, and I say when we go to war!

Adlai Stevenson: [asking the Russian ambassador if there are any Soviet missile bases in Cuba] Sir, I am prepared to wait for your answer till Hell freezes over, if that's your decision.

Robert Kennedy: We gave up so much to get here... I don't know; sometimes I think, "What the hell did we do it for?"::Kenny O'Donnell: Well, I don't know about you, but... I'm in it for the money.

Kenny O'Donnell: That's going to be tough - you know how these guys are about their chains of command.::President Kennedy: Listen, you tell 'em those chains of command end at one place: *me*.

President Kennedy: Bobby, you gotta go in there and you gotta make them understand... that we have to have an answer tomorrow... because Monday, we go to war.