Missiles of October (Teleplay)

THE MISSILES OF OCTOBER
________________________________________
Stanley R. Greenberg
VIACOM ENTERPRISES 1974
FINAL DRAFT
"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg
PROLOGUE 1 1
PROLOGUE
SOUNDSTAGE
Large and dimly lit. On it are the shapes and forms
of men and scenery; silhouettes, mysteries and
realities yet to be revealed.
NARRATION
This is the stage on which we will dramatize thirteen days in which the world came
to the brink of nuclear war. The names we use are real. The action is based upon
the historical record as drawn from reportage, academic studies, eyewitness accounts
and official documents. 1962. The President of the United States, John Fitzgerald
Kennedy:
OVAL OFFICEWHITE HOUSE
JFK [PRESIDENT]
All Americans, as well as all our friends in this hemisphere, have been concerned
over the recent moves of the Soviet Union to bolster the military power of the Castro
regime in Cuba. It continues to be the policy of the United States that Cuba will not
be allowed to export its aggressive purposes by force or the threat of force. Cuba will
be prevented by whatever means may be necessary from taking action against any
part of the Western Hemisphere.
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
KHRUSHCHEV [SOVIET PREMIERE]

The weapons and military equipment sent by the USSR to Cuba are designed
exclusively for defensive purposes and the President of the United States knows
what these means of defense are. How can they threaten the United States? No, you
have invented this threat. It is not the weapons you fear, it is the revolutionary
spirit.
ONE 4 2
DAY ONE
Tuesday, October 16th
CORRIDORWHITE HOUSE
MCGEORGE BUNDY [National Security Asst.] is
walking swiftly along a White House corridor.
NARRATION
Special Advisor to the President, McGeorge Bundy.
(Bundy reaches a door and enters.)
DINING ROOMWHITE HOUSE

JFK [President] is sitting at the table eating
breakfast, reading newspapers. He barely glances up
at Bundy.
BUNDY [NATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANT]
Good morning, Mr. President.

JFK [PRESIDENT]
Did you read what Eisenhower said about me yesterday?
(reads from the newspaper)
'President Kennedy's record of the past twenty-one months is too sad to talk about.'
Imagine Ike saying a thing like that about meand in Boston. Have some coffee,
Mac...
No, thank you. Mr. President...
JFK [PRESIDENT]
(continuing with the newspaper)
James Meredith, first Negro student at Mississipppi, attended classes for the third
day...and for the first time heard no jeers...
(more urgently)
Mr. President, we've received hard evidence that the Russians have placed offensive
weapons in Cuba.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What kind of weapons?
Nuclear missiles.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What's your evidence?
ONE 5 3

Aerial photographs from the U-2 flight of October 14. They show missile
installations being constructed in at least four places in Cuba...
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I want to see those pictures.
The photo-interpreters are standing by.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Who else is in on this?
Intelligence. Rusk and some of his people. McNamara.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Maxwell Taylor?
And the Joint Chiefs.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
McCone?
We contacted him in Seattle at his step-son's funeral. He's flying back.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
This must be kept absolutely confidential. Only personnel with an absolute need to
know are to be told.
Yes, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What the devil does Khrushchev hope to accomplish? I wonder if he's gone mad.
It could be a jab. The punch will probably land on Berlin.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
We have to step-up our U-2 flights over Cuba immediately. I want daily reports at
least...
(picks up a telephone)
Get the Attorney General for me right away.
(hangs up; back to Bundy)
Khrushchev's been promising for months that he wouldn't introduce offensive
weapons into Cuba. And now this. If I can't trust him on the missiles...
We'll have to bomb the damn things out, Mr. President.
ONE 5 4
JFK [PRESIDENT]
We'll meet in the Cabinet Room at 11:45. Inform Rusk, McNamara, General Taylor,
Dillon, Sorensen, Kenny O'Donnell, George Ball. You be there. Get Thompson, and
I want Stevenson.
He's flying in from New York later today.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
That's fine. Have Rusk brief Dean Acheson.
(The telephone rings. JFK grabs it.)
JFK [PRESIDENT] (cont'd)
(into phone)
Hello, Bobby? I want you to get over here as fast as you possibly can. Right. We are
facing great trouble.

A PHOTO INTERPRETER is showing Aerial
photographs to JFK.
PHOTO INTERPRETER
It took us the better part of a day to analyze the film, sir. We had to go over
thousands of frames...
JFK [PRESIDENT]
This looks like a football field.
PHOTO INTERPRETER
Yes, that's a shot of San Cristobal taken six weeks ago from a height of fourteen
miles. You see, there's no activity down there at all, sir. Now, you compare that with
this one taken by Major Anderson just thirty-six hours ago from the same altitude...
you can see the difference...
JFK [PRESIDENT]
These are installations for medium range missiles?
PHOTO INTERPRETER
Yes, there's no doubt that, Mr. President. That slant pattern is absolutely
characteristic of Soviet installations.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I'm grateful to you. Give my compliments to the rest of your team and especially to
Major Anderson.
PHOTO INTERPRETER
Thank you, Mr. President.
(The Photo Interpreter is tidying up the photographs.)
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Would you leave those with me, please.
ONE 6 5
PHOTO INTERPRETER
Certainly, sir.
(JFK presses an intercom button.)
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Kenny, come in here.
CORRIDORWHITE HOUSE
KENNETH O'DONNELL [Asst. to JFK] hurries
along the corridor. He goes through the door to:

JFK [President] is near his desk, he scarcely hears
O'Donnell's agenda.
O'DONNELL [ASSISTANT TO JFK]

Good morning, Mr. President. Beautiful day.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
It's Marvelous.
You're seeing Astronaut Wally Schirra, Mrs. Schirra and their two children. The
photographers would love you to take them out for a look at Caroline's pony.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
That's fine, Kenny.
Good.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Do you still think Cuba is unimportant as a campaign issue?
Well, absolutely. It's five weeks to the election. The voters don't give a holler about
Cuba. Every time Senators Keating and Capehart squawk about Cuba threatening
our security, they put everyone to sleep.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
So Cuba doesn't amount to much?
Not as a campaign issue. No, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
(indicating photographs)
I want you to take a look at these, Ken. You're an old Air Force bombardier. You
should be able to tell what they show.
ONE 8 6

I can't believe it.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
You'd better believe it. We've just elected Capehart in Indiana and Ken Keating will
probably be the next President. We're going to have to rearrange the schedule.
There'll be a meeting in the Cabinet Room at 11:45. Get the authorized list from
Bundy then you must clamp down the security lid. Not a word to anyone else
including Cabinet members, National Security Council members, secretaries or
wives.
Should I cancel your schedule?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Absolutely not. I'm going to keep my appointments for as long as I can. We're going
to have to make it look like there's absolutely nothing unusual going on around here.

ROBERT F. KENNEDY [Attorney General] is
standing by a window. JFK enters.
RFK [ATTORNEY GENERAL]
Bundy briefed me.

JFK [PRESIDENT]
I think Dad should be flown home. It's no time for him to be here.
I'll make arrangements.
Think we should add anyone to this list?
(JFK hands RFK the list.)
10
CORRIDORWHITE HOUSE
The Presidential advisers enter the Cabinet Room.
NARRATION
Presidential Assistant Theodore Sorensen. Former Ambassador to Moscow Llewellyn
Thompson...
11
ONE 11 7
CABINET ROOMWHITE HOUSE

The Executive Committee is seated at the Cabinet
Room table.
NARRATION
...Under Secretary of State George Ball. Secretary of State Dean Rusk. Secretary of
the Treasury Douglas Dillon. Chairman of the Joint Chiets of Staff, General
Maxwell D. Taylor. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara.
(JFK enters.)
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Good morning, gentlemen.
(On an easel rests enlargements of aerial shots of San
Cristobal which the Photo Interpreter is explaining.)
PHOTO INTERPRETER
Support trucks, trailers, a personnel tent area, the rocket launchers for Sandal SS04
medium range ballistic missiles. And here, gentlemen, eight Sandal missiles on
trailers.
GENERAL TAYLOR [ARMY]
We're fortunate. Another tropical storm over Cuba and the U-2 flight would have
been postponed again. Khrushchev would have had his fait accompli. Some of the
missiles will be operational in ten days.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Ten days? Whose estimate is that?
Ours.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Thank you. Secretary Rusk.
RUSK [SECRETARY OF STATE]
Well obviously the communists have been shipping missiles to Cuba and
constructing bases there while continually assuring us, telling us publicly and
privately, they were doing no such thing. They deceived us.
In point of fact, we deceived ourselves.
MCNAMARA [SECRETARY OF DEFENSE]
There was no hard intelligence.
We engaged in wishful thinking.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Secretary McNamara.
ONE 11 8

The Intelligence Board concluded only last month that the Soviets would never make
Cuba a missile base.
DILLON [SECRETARY OF TREASURY]
McCone warned of the possibility.
McCone had an intuition. We can't act on intuitions.
We knew they were installing a surface to air missiles system.
Yes, a defensive system.
And now we know what they intended to defend; medium and intermediate range
ballistic missiles.
It's true that McCone had an intuition and some Republican Senators claimed to
have private information but there was no evidence.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Why has Khrushchev moved them into Cuba now? Tommy, you just came back from
Moscow.
THOMPSON [AMBASSADOR TO SOVIET UNION]
Mr. President, I've been fooled. I never would have believed this was possible. The
Russians have never placed their nuclear weapons in any other country, not ever,
not ever before.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
George?
BALL [UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE]
Well, I can only surmise, Khrushchev is gambling. The missile base in Cuba was
supposed to be the trump card. After our elections they'll probably announce this
triumph of Socialist solidarity, and trade his missiles in Cuba for our status in West
Berlin.
Why should he settle for West Berlin? We're in the right placeright down the line;
NATO, Turkey, Greece, Italy.
Just a moment. The missiles in Cuba will have some psychological effect, yes, I
grant you that, but I don't see that they profoundly threaten us, or our allies. We
have the basic first strike and retaliatory superiority. A few missiles are not going to
change the basic balance of power.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
General Taylor?
ONE 11 9

In fact, our nuclear deterrent is in jeopardy and in range.
I don't concede that.
We have SAC bombers and missile sites are all along our southern underbelly within
easy range of Cuba.
A missile is a missile. It doesn't make much difference whether you're killed by one
fired from the Soviet Union or from Cuba.
Sir, the difference is that our warning time is reduced from fifteen minutes to thirty
seconds. Now, nobody knows if they can hit a target at a range of 6,000 miles, but
they can't miss from Cuba. Mr. President we have to move quickly before the
missiles become operational. Now, we have the capability to deploy and hit with
quick, accurate air strikes.
Hit them in Russia, or hit them in Cuba?
Hit Cuba, with surgical air strikes.
(RFK listens, scribbling on a scrap of paper.)
This communist move is directly threatening the security of the United states of
America.
(Quietly, RFK passes the scrap of paper to JFK. It reads:)
"Now I know how Tojo felt when he planned Pearl Harbor"
DILLON [SECRETARY OF TREASURY] (cont'd)
(continuing; oblivious)
I don't see that there's any alternative.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Mac?
It's difficult to construct a scenario in which you compromise with nuclear warheads.
SORENSEN [COUNCIL TO JFK]
Mr. President, I don't know that I can contribute anything except my feeling that
there must be an alternative to bombing, an alternative to war.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Mr. Attorney General?
ONE 11 10

Khrushchev promised we had nothing to fear in Cuba. Gromyko echoed him.
Dobrynin told me privately, he reiterated, we need not be concerned. In my
judgment the implications of Soviet deceit go even far beyond this damn situation.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
We cannot and we will not accept Soviet missiles in Cuba. We will not repeal the
Monroe Doctrine or the Rio Pact. The Soviets cannot lie to us, shift missiles to our
front door, and then come up winnerssmelling like rosesnot if we ever hope to
deal with them again. Not if we hope to survive. I'm going to campaign in Chicago
and in Connecticut. I'm going to fulfill my appointments for as long as possible, and
so are all of you. Our one advantage now that the Russians think we believe their
lies. You people will formulate recommendations on the best course of action. We're
not going to reveal the facts to the American people, or to our allies, or to our
enemies till we have determined how we intend to deal with this crisis.
Mr. President, it's going to be impossible to keep this under wraps for very long.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
We don't have very long. Ten days.
12
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere]
addresses his politburo.

Yes, I can answer the question. I know President Kennedy. You remember, we
spent many hours together in Vienna, just over a year ago. In those hours I told him
clearly that while we adhere to the policy of peaceful coexistence we intended to fully
defend and pursue our national and socialist interests. How did Kennedy respond?
He told me that he was anxious to reach an accommodation. He admitted that the
American supported invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs was a mistake, the result of
his only recently having taken power. In other words, the result of his inexperience.
He suggested that we should stabilize the world order, in order to avoid future
conflict. A proposal to which I said I would never agree. I was firm with Kennedy in
Vienna, as we have been firm in Berlin, where our wall symbolizes our
determination. We have been firm in resuming our nuclear tests, and our rocket,
missiles and space program. We have been firm in our support of the just struggles
for national liberation against the capitalist imperialist forces. There's the story of a
father who in the cold of winter was forced to move his cow into the farmhouse with
him. The farmer didn't like the cow in the house, didn't like the smell, but in time, in
order to survive, he grew used to it. You ask how Kennedy will respond when in a
few weeks we reveal the new situation in Cuba. Like the farmer he will grow used to
it. He will not like it, but he will grow used to the smell of Soviet rockets, Soviet
missiles, Soviet strength, Soviet presence in Cuba.
13
ONE 13 11

JFK [President] and RFK [Attorney General] are in
mid-sentence.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What do you think, Bobby?

Well, I think there has to be some alternative between doing nothing and launching
a sneak attack.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I'm looking forward to hearing one.
It's surprising how inhibited they still are around you. Even McNamara and Bundy
are still inhibited in the presidential presence.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What would you suggest?
Maybe you should remove yourself a while. Let us meet informally at the State
Department, George Ball's office, where they'll be free to speculate without you.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Yes, that could be useful. I don't suppose you inhibit them?
Irritate, yes. Inhibit, no.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Then irritate them.
I will.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
But they have to reach agreement.
I understand. But the question is, on what?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
A policy that the broadest elements in the government and the bureaucracy can
support; a consensus that won't tear the country and this administration to pieces; a
way to remove those missiles without war, if possible.
Is that all?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I should think that would be enough.
14
ONE 14 12
CONFERENCE ROOMSTATE DEPARTMENT

A long conference table with the Executive Committee
members grouped around it, constantly shifting
position, entering, exiting.

With pinpoint bombing we can destroy the bases without inflicting any serious
casualties among the civilian Cuban population.
But we'll be hitting Russian technicians and Russian soldiers.
Won't that give the Soviets an open invitation to strike back someplace hat's
strategically more important?
ADMIRAL ANDERSON [NAVY]
Excuse, me...
Admiral, I wonder if I might...
Go ahead, Admiral Anderson.
Now there is no more strategically vital location than Cuba. Look, sir, Cuba lies on
the Windward Passage, the Florida Straits, the Yucatan Channeland all of the
main ship lanes from our East Coast to the Gulf Coast and the Panama Canal. With
nuclear weapons she commands half the hemisphere.
Would you agree with that assessment, Mac?
I'm inclining to the view that in the end we're going to have to negotiate with the
Soviets, either in direct talks or at the United Nations.
But what'll we negotiate? Berlin? Greece? Secretary Rusk's plantation in Georgia?
Cuba is an island, and I submit that we have ample sea and air power to blockade
her.
(surprised; intrigued)
Blockade?
Blockade her.
Now, that's true, theoretically...
ONE 14 13

It's true in fact. We can blockade her with our ships and our planes, and prevent the
further delivery of war supplies and materials from Russia.
But Bob, how will a blockade serve to stop the Russians from completing the bases
they've begun with the materials they already have?
We can cut off their source for weapons, fuel supply, lubricants, even their food if
necessary.
A blockade would take time to put into force and time to take effect. In the
meantime, while we're maneuvering at sea, they'll proceed to complete their missile
system.
That is assuming that they have all the hardware they need.
Well, when a man points a gun at your head, it's only prudent to assume that it's
loaded.
Yeah, wait, let me just say this, I can see advantages here. A blockade would
certainly demonstrate our determination to resist Khrushchev, while stopping short
of a sneak attack. In the short term, at least it's a less extreme measure than an air
strike, and it could reduce the danger of an all-out war.
Exactly.
But that does not of itself remove the missiles, and the missiles are the issue and the
missiles are our objective.
Tommy, you know Khrushchev better than any of us. How do you think he'd respond
if we attacked Cuba by air?
Khrushchev has a short temper and a Presidium jammed with ambitious people.
He's under constant pressure, and he's unpredictable. It we bomb the bases, without
warning, he could react impulsively. In my opinion, striking Cuba risks triggering a
nuclear world war.
15
ONE 15 14

STEVENSON [Ambassador to UN] is inspecting one
of the U-2 photographs with JFK.
STEVENSON [AMBASSADOR TO UN]

I suppose the first impulse is to go in and bomb but, Mr. President, we have to
explore every avenue to a peaceful solution. Sooner or later we'll have to go to the
United Nations. It's vitally important that we go with a reasonable case.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Well, the country is fortunate to have Adalai Stevenson at the UN at this time.
Thank you, sir, I appreciate that. Rusk told me you're going on with the political
campaign. I think that's very wise.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I had visionary hopes of picking up some seats in the House and the Senate. But
that's not going to happen now. Once the truth about Cuba comes out, the
Republicans are going to murder us.
You have Republicans in high positions in your administration.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Unfortunately, the voters may come to feel that our Republican friends aren't high
enough.
16
PRESIDENTIAL PODIUM
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I don't think it's unfair to say that the United Statesand the worldis now passing
through one of its most critical periods. And it may be that it will continue to pass
through a period of comparable criticality for the next few monthsmaybe years.
Our major problem, after all, is the survival of our country, the protection of its vital
interests withoutwithout beginning the third and perhaps the last war. It is
ironical that the two strongest countries in the world, the United States and the
Soviet Union, are the two countries which live in the greatest danger. As Robert
Graves wrote about matadors:
'Bullfight critics row on row
Crowd the enormous plaza de torso
But only one is there who knows
And he is the one who fights the bull.'
TWO 17 15
DAY TWO
Wednesday, October 17
17

The Executive Committee is in session. The Photo
Interpreter is revealing the latest U-2 photographs.
PHOTO INTERPRETER
These are the stills from yesterday's over flight, Mr. President. They show twentynine missile pads in various stages of construction. They're building two types of
missiles down there: 1,000 mile, medium range mobile field weapons which can be
transported. And the 2,200 mile intermediate missile, which must be fired from
fixed positions. Both are first strike weapons. They will provide a launch capacity in
excess of forty nuclear weapons.
The Ilyushin 28 Soviet bombers now being assembled in Cuba can hit all of Florida
as far as Savannah, Pensacola and parts of Central America. The medium-range
missile threatens one-third of the United States including Washington, D.C., St.
Louis, Dallas, Panama Canal, all of Central America. The intermediate range
missile capability reaches nearly all of the United States, Southeastern Canada, and
all of Mexico, Central America, Panama Canal and much of South America.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Do we have any hard photographic evidence that the nuclear warheads for these
missiles are actually in Cuba?
No, Sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Why not?
MCCONE [DIRECTOR OF CIA]
They're comparatively small and easy to conceal, Mr. President, but you can be
assured that they're there somewhere.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
How can I be certain?
Those Soviet ICBMs are only compatible with nuclear warheads.
18
FILM: SOVIET & AMERICAN LAUNCH PADS
NARRATION
The Soviet Union this morning successfully fired two multi-stage missiles 7500 miles
to bulls-eye landings in the Central Pacific.
TWO 18 16
(The Russian rocket takes off in a shower of noise and

flame.)
NARRATION (cont'd)
An American high altitude nuclear test in the Pacific failed today for the fourth time
in five tries when a Thor rocket malfunctioned...
(An American rocket explodes on the launch pad.)
19

The Executive Committee is in session.

All right now, gentlemen, can we, very clearly run down the diplomatic possibilities
as you've analyzed them, one, two, three, and so on.
The first possibility, Bobby, is to confront Gromyko with our evidence and our
demands.
And what's his probable response?
In view of past performance, no doubt, he'd deny everything and we'd have tipped
our hand without improving our situation.
Yes, I agree, that's unacceptable.
The second possibility is send an emissary directly to Khrushchev with a message
from the President demanding that he remove the missiles at once.
Now, as to that, Bobby, Khrushchev's obvious ploy would be to admit to the
President what the President already knows, and then to call for a conference or a
summit to resolve the crisis. See, that way he'd be talking while the bases became
operational.
Yes, which is precisely what we're doing now. Anything else?
Yes, now, the third track we considered, Bobby, involves sending an emissary
directly to Castro and point out the danger to Cuba of a nuclear confrontation there.
The objection is that the bases are under direct Russian control. Even if we could
influence Castro, there's no reason to assume that he could divert Russian policy. In
a way, the missiles hold Castro hostage.
TWO 19 17

Is there a fourth possibility?
Yes, sir, there is. A fourth possibility would be to by-pass the Russians completely,
and take the entire issue to the UN at a strategic moment of our own choosing.
The difficulty, Ambassador, as you well know, is that the Soviet Union can veto us in
the Security Council. And to make matters worse, Zorin's chairman there this
month.
I see. So, it doesn't appear that any of the diplomatic channels will do the job.
Well, we'll have to use diplomatic channels to explain and to justify our actions to the
rest of the world. And, ultimately, we'll have to find an accommodation with the
Soviets.
But diplomacy in and of itself will not remove the missiles. It appears that we've
boiled down to two options and only two...
20

RFK continues his argument to JFK.

...We bomb them or we blockade.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What's the consensus?
There isn't one yet, but I think if we took a vote today, we'd be bombing tomorrow.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What about you?
How, from the love of God, can President Kennedy of the United States order a sneak
attack on a tiny, Latin American country.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
By pressing a button.
(pushes intercom button)
Kenny, come in here.
(O'DONNELL [Asst. to JFK] enters.)
Mr. President.
TWO 20 18
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Kenny, how late am I?
You're lunching with the Crown Prince of Libya in ten minutes. The Connecticut
flight is scheduled to take off at two-thirty, and Pierre wants to know if the pool
reporters can fly with you for some background.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Tell Pierre the President craves privacy. Do you believe that over a month ago I
designated this week as National Prayer Week?
(JFK and O'Donnell exit, leaving RFK in silent
contemplation.)
21
PRESIDENTIAL PODIUMCONNECTICUT
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Connecticut was the first state to endorse this candidate for the Presidency, the state
that placed my name in nomination, and the first state to report a Kennedy majority
on election night nearly two years ago...
HECKLER
More courage, less profile!
JFK [PRESIDENT]
...The great tight in 1962 is the same fight that we waged in 1960 and must be waged
in this decadeand that is to provide employment for our people, education for our
children, and security for our older people.
22

Most of the Executive Committee is in session.

...but an air strike in and of itself will not eliminate the threat in Cuba, Mr.
Acheson, It would have to be followed by an invasion to destroy any of those missile
bases that we missed there. And that would involve widespread fighting and
bombing, and a horrendous toll to Cuban lives.
And that, Bobby, regretfully is the nature of war, even a defensive war.
Yes, what will the Russians do? Even if they pull away from the brink, what will the
civilized world think of the United States crushing a small country in a brutal
surprise attack. Whatever the military outcome, assaulting Cuba, in my view, will
do us irreparable diplomatic and psychological harm. No, gentlemen, we are not
going to have a Pearl Harbor in reverse here. My brother is not going to be the Tojo
of the 1960's.
TWO 22 19
ACHESON [FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE]

Mr. Attorney General, your analogy with Pearl Harbor is false and pejorative. At
Pearl Harbor the Japanese, without provocation or warning, attacked our fleet
thousands of miles from Japanese shores. In this situation the Soviet Union has
installed lethal weapons ninety miles from our coast. And they have done this one
hundred and forty years after the proclamation of the Monroe Doctrine.
I don't dispute that, Mr. Acheson.
Moreover, within the last five months the Congress and even more recently the
President himselfhas reiterated our opposition to the establishment of offensive
weapons in Cuba. Now, how much warning must we give to avoid the stigma of
Pearl Harbor in reverse?
23
PRESIDENTIAL PODIUMYALE
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I have come here to Yale, to this center of learning, and I've enjoyed your warm
reception. But you will learn, as this country has learned, that the Democratic Party
is best for you as it is best for the country.
24

RFK [Attorney General] and SORENSEN [Council to
JFK] are deep at work. JFK and O'DONNELL
[Asst. to JFK] enter.
(into phone)
Yes, he's here now. Right.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Well, Kenny, it's some comfort that they look worse than we do.
How was the response in New Haven?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I didn't notice.
How's he doing?
On top of it, but I think his back is giving him hell.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I'm calling Jackie tonight and asking her to come back to Washington with the
children.
TWO 24 20

I think that's a good move.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Ted?
Yes, sir?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
A student in Connecticut shouted that I should have more courage and less profile.
The man has a way with words. Maybe we should put him on the payroll.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Yes, on your payroll.
THREE 25 21
DAY THREE
Thursday, October 18
25
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere] enjoys his
breakfast, oblivious to the chaos he has set into
motion in the close circles of the American
government.
26

The Executive Committee is in session under the
leadership of JFK.

Our cover for the invasion strike force is an annual Caribbean training exercise
coincidentally scheduled for this month. Code designation: Philibreiglex 62.
Admiral Anderson?
Yes, sir. The Navy will have over one hundred ships in the maneuver, including four
attack carriers, and we are also moving in the Enterprise.
General Shoup.
GENERAL SHOUP [MARINE CORPS]
The task force will carry and have the capability to land 40,000 combat ready
Marines, not including the 4,000 in transit, and in residence in Guantanamo.
The Army's 82nd and 101st Airborne are being airlifted to a total of 100,000 men in
Florida. General LeMay.
GENERAL LEMAY [AIR FORCE]
Strategic Air Command bombers are being deployed from Florida bases to make room
for the tactical attack aircraft. Air Defense facilities are being stripped from outside
the Cuban missile range and re-installed in the Southeast. We have 14,000
reservists on standby recall to fly transport aircraft in the event of an airborne
invasion. Now, the initial raid will consist of 500 sorties striking at all missile sites,
military targets, airfields, ports, and gun emplacements.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
When will you be ready to launch this air strike?
October 23rd.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Five days.
THREE 26 22

Yes, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
And how do you think the Russians will respond?
They won't.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Not at all?
No, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Is that what you really think? Are you trying to tell me that they'll let us bomb their
missiles, kill a lot of Russians, and then do nothing? If they don't move in Cuba,
General, they'll certainly do something in Berlin.
GENERAL SHOUP [MARINE CORPS]
You're in a pretty bad fix, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
You're in it with me.
27
CORRIDORWHITE HOUSE
JFK [President] and RFK [Attorney General].
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Imagine LeMay arguing that we should go ahead and strike without considering the
Russian response. The brass hats have one advantage though: if we do what they
want us to do and they're wrong, there'll be nobody around later to tell them they
made a mistake. A blockade is far from a certain answer. It may not be strong
enough to do the Job. It may force the Russians to retaliate. But it's the only choice
we haveshort of war. I want a consensus, a firm consensus advocating a blockade
from that committee in the next day or two.
Well, it's a bitch. There isn't a man of us who hasn't changed his mind at least once,
including me.
28

The Executive Committee is in session.

If by next Thursday the missile bases are still under construction we should notify
our chief allies and hit the bases the next day, while simultaneously warning
Khrushchev that a Soviet counteraction means war. Maybe it's to go down better
with a bang than a whimper.
THREE 28 23

Being a blockade is far from perfect, but it's surely preferable to that.
A blockade is every bit as much an act of war as an air strike.
I don't agree, sir. There is a precedent to a blockade which at least will give us the
semblance of a legal framework.
Legal niceties now are so much pompous foolishness.
I am referring to Roosevelt's quarantine of Nazi Germany before we entered World
War II.
BUNDY
The defensive quarantine.
Shortly before.
The United Nations Charter recognizes a right of hemispheric self-defense. If we can
get the Organization of American States to endorse a blockade we'd have at least
we'd have a strong legal case to take to the United Nations.
The Russians respect legality, sir. They may twist and turn them to their own
advantage, but they're always impressed by a good, solid dialectic.
It is our inherent right to protect ourselves. And therefore, a legal pretext is
superfluous. Gentlemen, an attack on Cuba will not necessarily bring the Soviet
Union into war with us. On the other hand a blockade, excuse me, a quarantine,
will not neutralize the weapons already in Cuba, will not force Khrushchev to
remove such weapons, and will not eliminate the risk of war. When we stop and
search ships, we will be engaged with Russians, not with Cubans. And obviously,
when we quarantine Cuba, the Russians will have an open excuse to blockade
Berlin.
29

ACHESON [former Secretary of State] is giving JFK
the same analysis he has presented to the Executive
Committee.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Your arguments, as always, are very persuasive. And yet, I wouldn't want to be the
American Tojo with a Pearl Harbor on my conscience.
Yes, I've heard that analogy before.
THREE 29 24
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I know that you have.
I think, Mr. President, that you've made your decision.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Whatever it's going to be, we'll have to inform our allies. DeGaulle could be a
problem.
Perhaps you should send the Vice President to Paris.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Perhaps... Gromyko is coming here this afternoon.
At whose request, sir?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
His. The meeting was arranged weeks ago. It seems the distinguished Soviet
Minister is going home tomorrow.
Are you going to tell him what you've learned about the missiles?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I hope not.
Then, Mr. President, the fascinating question is if Gromyko is going to tell you.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I guess this is the week I'd better earn my salary.
30

Flash bulbs. JFK [President] and GROMYKO
[Soviet Foreign Minister] are speaking to reporters.
Rusk, Ball, Zorin and Dobrynin are also present.
GROMYKO [SOVIET FOREIGN MINISTER]

...I was a young diplomat. I first came to the United States invited to this party, a
garden party, they said. I went there, everybody is wearing shortsand there I
was, wearing my black frock and black tie. Could you imagine a thing like that, such
embarrassment I did not experience in my whole career.
31
THREE 31 25

The press is gone, JFK & GROMYKO are midconversation.

We must have certain assurances and guarantees which might be incorporated in a
statement by yourself and Mr. Khrushchev at the conclusion of the summit.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I am prepared to speak with Chairman Khrushchev but we have our obligations in
Berlin and other nations are deeply involved.
Mr. President, I know you enjoy frank talk. Let me speak about the anti-Castro
campaign in this country. We believe that your government should stop threatening
Cuba and should restrain the attacks on Cuban shipping by exile groups. Cuba,
after all, belongs to the Cuban people, not to the United States.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I do enjoy frank talk, Mr. Gromyko. But it's not the United States, it's the Soviet
Union who is creating the conflict. You've been supplying the Castro government
with sophisticated weapons. I've received repeated personal assurances from your
government that no action is required. I've tried to calm American opinion, but your
activities are very serious and you haven't explained them satisfactorily.
Cuba has a right to the means to defend herself. Sir, we are not paranoid. You did
attempt to invade Cuba.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
The Bay of Pigs was not a precedent. This government has no intention of invading
Cuba. For your part, Mr. Gromyko, did I understand you to say that the weapons
you sent to Cuba are only anti-aircraft weapons incapable of striking at targets in
the United States? Is that true?
Absolutely, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I want to avoid any misunderstandings here. This government will not tolerate the
establishment of a Soviet strategic base in Cuba.
Mr. President, I assure you the United States need not be concerned. We have given
bread to Cuba, yes, some arms, supplies, all defensive; defensive weapons that will
never constitute a threat to the United States.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
And I have personally assured the American people that the Soviet assistance
programs in Cuba are purely defensive. I have also said, Mr. Gromyko, and I say
now, that any change will have the gravest consequences.
32
THREE 32 26
COCKTAIL PARTYWASHINGTON D.C.

Diplomats, columnists, Congressmen, Gromyko,
Rusk, Thompson, Scali and others, all in formal
dress.

...the origin of the Cold War can be found in the unremitting hostility of the United
States towards socialism as we understand it...
SCALI [ABC NEWS REPORTER]
We believe, sir, that the Cold War has been caused by communist aggression against
the free world.
I think we've heard that story before. You see, we trace your hostility back to the
several divisions of Americans who fought us, on Russian soil, immediately following
our revolution in 1918. I know many Americans don't like to remember the illegal
attempt to invade our country and change our government, but that is a fact of
history and you have to take...
US AIDE
May I have a moment, Mr. Secretary?
Yes?
(They move away from the Soviet contingent.)
US AIDE
Mr. Secretary, I know there's something going on you don't want to talk about. But
the press corps is getting damn suspicious with half the government shuttling
between the White House and the State Department two and three times a day. I
think you'd better tell all the big wheels to get their limousines off the streets.
I don't know what you're talking about. But thanks very much.
(Rusk rejoins the group which includes Gromyko.)
...it is American imperialism which has stood between the natural friendship of the
common people of our nations.
But we, Mr. Foreign Minister, remember the excesses of Stalin, recall the
subjugation of Eastern Europe, and are reminded of Chairman Khrushchev's
provocative prophecy that you will attempt to bury us.
Mr. Secretary, you misunderstand. Capitalism will collapse of its own volition. You
see, to put it perfectly accurate, we believe that you will bury yourselves.
33
THREE 33 27

The table is a jumble of briefing papers and rejected
proposals, stale coffee containers and filled ashtrays.

Gentlemen, a blockade is a first step. If it succeeds, we've avoided war. If it fails,
the other options are still open to us.
If we attack by air we'll kill Russian.
All right, I'll go along on humanitarian grounds with giving Castro twenty-four
hours noticeand then bombing.
Gentlemen, this country is supposed to stand for something, it's supposed to be a
symbol of morals and values and fair play. Now, how the hell will bombing a tiny
country into submission help establish us as a leader of the free world? What kind
of a victory would it be?
Better than a defeat, I would say.
Yes. And when the smoke clears and the corpses are dragged from the rubble, what
do we answer when the world asks: 'Why? Where is your proof? What gives you the
right?'
I think we can hit Cuba by air and get away with it. The Russians are not prepared
to go to nuclear war with us. But I have to say that your moral arguments have
never occurred to me, Bobby, but you're right. We have to remember who we are.
We have to take the risk. And we have to put aside the air attack option at least for
now. I'm prepared to go along with the blockade.
Gentlemen, the President is waiting.
(The others follow RFK's lead, come to their feet.)
RFK [ATTORNEY GENERAL] (cont'd)
Oh, incidentally, Dean Rusk called to say we should all go over to the White House in
the same limousine to avoid tipping off the press corps.
One car for all of us?
Yeah.
Pity the government if we get into an accident.
THREE 33 28

I think we'll be safe, none of us is driving.
34

JFK [President] is with the Executive Committee
members from the previous scene, plus Rusk and
Thompson who are still in tuxedos.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I am attracted to your concept of a blockade. It should give Khrushchev time to
respond thoughtfully, and it certainly avoids the shock of a surprise attack. If it
works, the Russians can retreat with dignity. And if it doesn't we've preserved our
flexibility. Ted, I want a draft of my speech to the country ready for me when I get
back from campaigning. Gentlemen, on Sunday at the latest we're going to let the
world in on this.
35
FILM: INDO-CHINESE WAR OF OCTOBER,

1962
NARRATION
Chinese armored columns rolled forward today in large-scale fighting against the illprepared Indian troops. Indian military spokesmen have reported heavy casualties,
but expressed their determination to withstand the Chinese thrust all along the
disputed frontier.
FOUR 36 29
DAY FOUR
Friday, October 19th
36

ACHESON [former Secretary of State] addresses the
Executive Committee.
NARRATION
The fourth day of the Missiles of October.
Gentlemen, let me ask leave to be excused from further attendance. This is no place
for a private citizen like myself.
Mr. Acheson, the President has the greatest respect and the highest personal regard
for you. In his absence I...
It is one thing for an outsider like myself to be asked for advice and counsel. But it's
quite another for me to actually participate in planning the tactical operations. I
wish you all good luck.
37
PRESIDENTIAL PODIUMCHICAGO
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Woodrow Wilson once said, 'What good is a political party unless it is being used by
the nation for a great occasion?' What is the great occasion for which this nation
will use the Democratic party in 1962? Why should they choose us and not the
Republicans? The Republicans are equally patriotic, equally anxious to see it move
ahead. What makes this election important in 1962 is that the two parties have
clear and distinct differences in their approach as to how they should move this
country ahead.
38
PRESIDENTIAL HOTEL ROOMCHICAGO /

RFK'S OFFICEWASHINGTON
The President's room: large, several telephones. JFK
is delivering his speech in the ballroom, a few floors
down. O'DONNELL [Asst. to JFK] is on the
telephone, speaking to RFK [Attorney General] who is
in his office in Washington.

The crowds have been good to excellent and he looks terrific, but, of course, he's
under a hell of a strain.
FOUR 38 30

Yes, well things are falling apart here, Ken. Dean Acheson just walked out. And the
military is vehemently opposed to the blockade. In addition, security's crumbling, I
think the press knows something is up.
I can't see anything to be gained by rushing the President back to Washington now.
That would give it away for certain.
Now, listen, we're going to have to round up the Congressional leaders and get them
briefed as soon as possible.
I'll clear it with him.
Will you have the President call me as soon as he's free?
In your judgment he has to fly back in the morning?
At the latest. Yes.
I see.
I'll talk to you later, Ken.
39
PRESIDENTIAL PODIUM
JFK [PRESIDENT]
This is a great and good country. It is the center of the stage. Everything we do here
is marked around the world in the great struggle which is reaching its climax in this
decade. And I believe that we can make this country not only the leader of the Free
World, but a leader in whom all can have a sense of pride and a sense of participation
and a sense of mutual progress. Now, I come to Illinois and I ask for your help!
40
PRESIDENTIAL HOTEL ROOM CHICAGO /

RFK'S OFFICEWASHINGTON
JFK [President] is having the brace relaxed from his
back by DAVE POWERS [Asst. to JFK].
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I think President Roosevelt threw my father out of this suite in nineteen forty-two.
POWERS [ASSISTANT TO JFK]
Better?
FOUR 40 31
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Yes, it's much better Dave, thank you.
(JFK lowers himself in the rocker.)
(to O'Donnell)
They loved the speech.
I'm sure glad to hear that.
(Powers hands JFK a cup of clam chowder.)
JFK [PRESIDENT]
But will they love us on Monday like they love us today?
(drinks chowder)
That's good chowder.
For Chicago.
(The telephone rings. Powers picks it up.)
POWERS [ASSISTANT TO JFK] (cont'd)
Yes?
(then to JFK)
Pierre wants a minute with you.
(on another phone)
You'll want to talk to Bobby first.
(JFK nods.)
(into phone)
He'll be ready for you in a moment, Pierre. Thanks.
(Powers hangs up.)
(handing JFK the phone)
The Attorney General, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
(into phone)
What's happening there, Bobby?
(listens)
Yes, I understand about Acheson, but we have to keep him in the picture. Maybe
Paris. And the Joint Chiefs have to look at it that way. But they'll come around
when we're committed. Has McNamara punched in the Atlantic and Caribbean
alert? No, I'll have to brief the Congressional leadership myselfone session with
Foreign Affairs and Armed Services.
FOUR 40 32

(into phone from Washington)
The consensus will firm up around the blockade if you're here, I know that. But
without you to take the responsibility it looks too risky to them. Just too damn
risky.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
And, I'll come back in the morning. Tell Sorensen he's writing a speech announcing
a blockade, not Armageddon. Goodnight, Bobby.
(hangs up; to O'Donnell)
First thing in the morning, Ken.
Yes, sir.
(O'Donnell goes to a telephone, JFK lies down.)
O'DONNELL [ASSISTANT TO JFK] (cont'd)
(into phone)
Get me Admiral Burkley, please.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Kenny would you please hand me my magazine.
We're going to have to come up with a good reason for you to cut your speech short,
Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What'll it be?
You've caught cold.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Pity.
(into phone)
Hello, Doctor? Ken O'Donnell. Please come around to the President's suite tomorrow
morning. Make that 09:00. Right. And, Doctorbe flexible.
(hangs up)
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Okay, let's have Pierre, Dave.
(Powers nods, crosses to the door.)
What if you can't get the consensus in Washington tomorrow?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
President Lincoln once put a proposition before his Cabinet. The vote was nine aye,
one nay. But the nay was Lincoln's and the proposition was defeated. I'll make this
decision alone if I must, but it'll be infinitely better if the Executive departments
(more)
FOUR 40 33

support me all the way, because they've participated in the decision, and understand
it, and they believe in it.
(SALINGER [Press Secretary] enters.)
Hello, Pierre.
SALINGER [PRESS SECRETARY]
The speech went very well, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Thanks. What's your problem?
I just got a call from Bob Allen. He and Paul Scott are going to publish a story that
we're on the verge of invading Cuba. Also Carleton Kent of the Sun-Times asked for
verification of a report that we have parachute units on the alert for a Cuban jump.
Now, sir, I'm completely in the dark.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Call Kent and tell him that report is absolutely false. We have no intentions of
invading Cuba. If he prints that story he's going to look foolish.
(to O'Donnell)
Kenny, call McNamara and have him ask Allen and Scott to kill their story.
Mr. President, I suppose you're going to tell me what's going on when you think I
should know.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I don't want to put my Press Secretary in the position of deliberately deceiving the
pressand you're not the world's greatest liar, Pierre. You don't know how lucky you
are not to know what you don't know.
Yes, sir. Good night, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Good night, Pierre.
(Salinger starts to leave.)
Pierre, we're making some alternative travel arrangements for the pool reporters in
the morning. You'll make the announcement at the last moment.
Now, wait a minute, are you talking about a new schedule?
The President is developing a cold.
And who do you think that is going to fool?
FOUR 40 34

Everybody, the way you're going to handle it.
(Salinger exits. JFK is alone; immobile; silent.)
41
FILM: AN ATOMIC FIREBALL
NARRATION
The United States today detonated a nuclear device above Johnston Island in the
central Pacific. The explosion was the second successful American test in the upper
atmosphere in six attempts this year.
FIVE 42 35
DAY FIVE
Saturday, October 20th
42
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
GROMYKO [Soviet Foreign Minister] enters and
speaks with KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere].
NARRATION
The fifth day of the Missiles of October.
I talked with Kennedy in Washington for over two hours. I can't dismiss the
possibility he knew about the situation in Cuba.
That was your dominant impression?
It's possible.
If so, why haven't we heard his righteous American indignation?
Withheld, perhaps, for the element of surprise.
There's another possibility. He may be withholding the bad news until after the
American election, like a bride concealing her blemish until after the ceremony. In
Vienna I felt sorry for Kennedy, he so desperately wanted a triumph. All right, let
me hear that conversation again in detail.
43

JFK presides over the Executive Committee.

Mr. President, would you prefer that each of us write down our recommendation?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
No. There isn't a clear cut answer here. I don't want people saying later that their
plans would have worked. Perhaps, those of you whose proposals aren't adopted may
yet prove to be the lucky ones. Let's begin. Secretary Rusk?
I favor the blockade, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Secretary McNamara?
FIVE 43 36

Blockade, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Secretary Dillon?
Blockade, Sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
General Taylor?
Air strike, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Mr. Attorney General?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Director McCone?
Air strike, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Admiral Anderson?
Air strike, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Ken?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Ambassador Stevenson?
Quarantine, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Ambassador Thompson?
Blockade, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
George?
FIVE 43 37
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Mac?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Ted?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Then it is the consensus of this committee that a naval action is our most
appropriate response. I agree. I understand and appreciate the concern of all those
who voted for an air strike. And I assure you that if the blockade fails I'll take
uncompromising action. My speech to the nation will be on Monday. I'll announce
the quarantine at that time.
Sir, I believe that your speech should incorporate a call for an emergency session of
the Security Council. We must get to the UN ahead of the Russians.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
That's very useful. State will work with you on a draft resolution.
And may I add, sir, that whatever happens at the United Nations is largely
contingent on the Organization of American States supporting our action.
Hopefully the OAS will come to a vote by Wednesday, before we impose the actual
blockade.
May I ask, sir, what we'll do if the OAS doesn't support us? Are we then going to
impose the blockade and take our case to the United Nations even without the
semblance of legality, without the support of our own hemisphere?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I'll pay any price to get those missiles out of Cuba.
Then, sir, I don't see how we can expect the Russians to remove them for nothing.
It's going to be difficult for the rest of the world, especially Europe, to understand
our fear of the Cuban bases. After all, our European allies have been within easy
reach of Soviet missiles for years. The world will ask why Soviet technicians and
missiles in Cuba are any more wicked than our own technicians and missiles in
Turkey and Italy. And why a Russian base in Cuba is any more wicked than our own
American base at Guantanamo.
Stevenson, are you asserting that we should trade our Jupiter base, or our
Guantanamo base, for the Cuban missile bases? Are you suggesting that there's a
relationship between the two?
FIVE 43 38

The world will suggest it, sir, and we must have a response.
If the situation were reversed, the Russians wouldn't hesitate to use nuclear
weapons on us. And they certainly wouldn't agree to trade away their strategic
bases.
If the blockade fails, we will be forced either into war or negotiations. I believe we
might avoid the war by beginning with the negotiations.
I should have thought that Hitler taught us at least one lessonand its name is
appeasement. Negotiating now will weaken our strategic position all over the world.
The Guantanamo base is without strategic significance.
I'll dispute that, sir.
The Turkish and Italian Jupiter bases are obsolete. We can negotiate them without
losing anything of significance.
But our treaty obligations are binding, unless you want to undermine NATO.
Nevertheless, we can negotiate without losing anything of significance.
And then, sir, what do you suggest we give away next time?
I'm hopeful that we'll live to see a next time.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Gentlemen, I agree that diplomatic moves are essential, but we're not going to
negotiate under the gun. DeGaulle would be quick to say we were selling out the
Europeans to protect ourselves. And the Russians would be tempted to try
blackmail again, elsewhere. The issue isn't Guantanamo or obsolete Jupiter
basesthe issue is missiles, Russian missiles in Cuba, and they must be removed.
And they must be removed quickly.
44

JFK [President] & RFK [Attorney General].

We work day and night to hammer out a consensus and Stevenson damn near blows
it. I wonder if he's strong enough or tough enough to represent us at the UN.
FIVE 44 39
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I sometimes think Stevenson is the UN.
Maybe you should replace him with someone like John McCloy, a tough Republican.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I don't that would be prudent now.
If we show any weakness now, Khrushchev will march through us like an open door.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Adlai showed courage. He gave an argument that needed to be given and took the
risk of being called an appeaser.
He damn near pulled us off the track is what he did.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
He wasn't wrong.
That's not the point. You said yourself, we can't submit to Russian blackmail.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Nevertheless, foreign observers will ask why we're entitled to bases in Turkey
pointing missiles at Russia's belly. Now, I admire what Stevenson did. He told the
truth and presented the diplomatic point of view. And that's his Job.
His job is to implement your decisions. It doesn't matter whether we respect Adlai or
admire him or whether or not he's even telling the truth. Right now we need the
support of Republicans and conservative Democrats alike, who just don't trust his
capacity to stand up to the Russians.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Half the American people think that Stevenson should have been president.
Yes, and the other half think that Nixon should have been president.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
You're not a Republican or a conservativeat least not the last time I looked.
Yes, well, McCLoy is available, and I think we could use all the help we can get.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I'd welcome the support of McCloy and his friends. I'll ask him to join Stevenson's
delegation at the UN.
Thank you.
FIVE 44 40
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I said join Stevenson's delegation.
Yes, Mr. President.
45
NAVY FLAG PLOT ROOMPENTAGON

This is the top secret nerve center of Naval
operations. ADMIRAL ANDERSON [Chief of Naval
Operations] gives instructions to subordinates.

The blockade will form an arc extending eight hundred miles to sea from Cape
Maysi, that's well beyond the range of MIG fighters in Cuba. Your designation is
Task Force 136, comprising thirteen destroyers on the forward line supported by two
cruisers flanked by four additional destroyers and the guided missile cruiser
Canberra. In support will be the Philibreiglex invasion fleet. By the way, Corky,
three of your destroyers have just put in from service with the Sixth Fleet. The men
are on liberty and hung out over half of the Eastern seaboard. You have twenty-four
hours to corral them and to sail. So, you will be in position and close all navigable
channels to Cuba as of ten hundred this Wednesday, October 24.
46
DINNER DANCEWASHINGTON D.C.

High fashion, the diplomatic corps, columnists,
Congressmen. A SENATOR and SCALI [ABC News
Reporter] are in conversation.
SENATOR 2
Put it down, Scali, as a prediction from me. Now, we Republicans are going to pick
up four seats in the Senate and at leastat least fourteen in the House.
At ABC News, we keep picking up reports of major troop movements. Now, Senator,
wouldn't you say that something very big is brewing in Cuba, or perhaps in Berlin?
SENATOR 2
I think it's all smoke. The President won't take firm action this close to the
election... Will you excuse us, please.
(STEVENSON [Ambassador to UN] finds KEN
O'DONNELL [Asst. to JFK] also alone, also enjoying a
drink.)
I'm surprised you could get away, Ken.
Had to, Governor. I can't think straight any more. Anyway, if the Administration
misses another clambake Khrushchev will know we're on to him.
(more)
FIVE 46 41
O'DONNELL [ASSISTANT TO JFK] (cont'd)

(raising glass)
Cheers.
Would you mind telling me what the President thought of my performance today?
He admired your courage.
I hope that's true. Most of those men probably consider me a coward for what I said
today. Maybe there should be a coward around when we're talking about nuclear
war. Which is what everyone is talking about.
Everyone?
Al Friendly of the Washington Post and Scotty Reston of the Times have dug out the
story, don't ask me how. They know what our bearded friend has in Cuba.
Are you certain?
Their questions were considerably more accurate than my answers.
Damn. I'll have to call the President.
47

JFK [President], alone, talking on the phone to his
aide O'Donnell.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
(into phone)
This government is like a sieve! It's a miracle we've kept the story out of the press
as long as we have. No, no, no, I can't delegate that job. I'll have to call the
publishers myself. Kenny, who's at the party?
48
ACHESON'S STUDY /
ACHESON [former Secretary of State] is sitting in a
comfortable chair in front of a fireplace, on the
telephone.
Paris? Did you say Paris?
FIVE 48 42
(RUSK [SECRETARY OF STATE] is on the telephone in a

corner of the conference room at the State Department.
Behind him, the Executive Committee is, as usual, in
session.)
The President has made his decision, Dean. He prefers the sea route.
Yes, I understand.
He wants you to deliver the message to DeGaulle. He feels you're the only man with
the prestige and the experience to confront the General.
That's gratifying but I don't see how I can.
Dean, I needn't tell you that we all belong to the least exclusive club in the world
which also happens to have the highest dues, the United States of America. The
President wants you to fly to Europe tomorrow.
Well, I suppose I'm enough of a lawyer to represent a point of view with which I
personally disagree. I do have one problem.
What's that?
My passport's expired.
(RUSK laughs and hangs up.)
49

Alone, JFK's hand shakes as he lights his cigar.
50
FILM: A MUSHROOMING NUCLEAR

EXPLOSION
SIX 51 43
DAY SIX
Sunday, October 21st
51

The President is meeting with the Joint Chiefs plus
RFK [Attorney General] and GENERAL SWEENY
[Air Force].
NARRATION
The sixth day of the Missiles of October.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
The question is whether the air strikes will be more effective than a blockade.
There is no question about that, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
That's exactly why I've asked General Sweeny to sit in on that very point. General,
I'm asking you this question directly: If you have everything you need can you
guarantee that air strikes will take out all of the Soviet bases?
GENERAL SWEENY [AIR FORCE]
Mr. President, are you asking me for one hundred percent of the missiles?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Can the tactical air command take out all of the missiles, yes.
GENERAL SWEENEY [AIR FORCE]
Sir, I can guarantee that we'd take out ninety percent, not one hundred. Completely
surgical strike just is not possible. We cannot be certain of hitting every pad, every
launch vehicle. Some might survive. We might miss a few.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
And if we missed ten percent that would leave whatsix or sevenoperational
nuclear weapons, capable of taking out New York and Washington and a few other
cities, is that correct?
GENERAL SWEENY [AIR FORCE]
Yes, sir. And that's why we'd have to follow up with an invasion.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Thank you very much, General. I appreciate your candor. We're going ahead with
the decision of the consensus. I'll announce the blockade in my speech to the nation
tomorrow evening. Admiral Anderson, it's all up to the Navy.
The Navy won't let you down, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Thank you very much, gentlemen.
52
SIX 52 44

JFK [President] is going over a mountain of papers.
SALINGER [Press Secretary] enters.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Well, Pierre, did you get your briefing?
Yes, Mr. President. I had no idea things were this bad.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Aren't you glad you didn't know.
Security is breaking down. The reporters are seeing the wrong officials in the wrong
places at the wrong times.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I expect you to keep the kid on for another twenty-four hours...
53
PRESS CONFERENCE
SALINGER [Press Secretary] conducts the briefing.
SCALI [ABC News Reporter] is prominent among the
reporters.

I want to get into this so-called training exercise.
Mr. Scali, you have the Pentagon backgrounder. Philibreiglex 62 is a training
exercise. It was announced long ago.
REPORTER 1
Can you tell me why thousands of marines were suddenly airlifted from California to
North Carolina?
That's part of the exercise.
REPORTER 2
I have a report that this morning destroyers from Norfolk and Jacksonville suddenly
put to sea with crews that were all but commandeered.
It's my understanding that the seas off Puerto Rico are unexpectedly heavy. The
Navy had to make some destroyer reassignments.
Pierre, off the record, isn't it true that...
No. Thank you, gentlemen.
SIX 54 45
(Salinger exits abruptly, questions shouted in his wake.)
54

The National Security Council is gathered around
the Cabinet table.

The language of the speech is too general in that respect. The President must be
more explicit. He should demand that the Russians dismantle the missiles.
The President is locked up with Sorensen right now. I'll get a message to him as
soon as possible.
(to Dillon)
Doug, when are you scheduled to leave for Mexico City?
Fifteen minutes ago.
The President may need your support for the National Security Council meeting.
I'll delay my flight.
Good. That would be best. Thank you. Now, let's get a hold of Salinger, we should
hear what he's arranged for the foreign language broadcast.
(to Rusk)
And Dean, I want to get into the machinery of briefing the allied and neutral
governments.
I can assure you that every capitol in the world is being informed.
What do we hear from London?
Bruce is scheduled to meet with McMillan within the hour.
The President is anxious for DeGaulle's reaction as well.
Acheson should be with him now.
55
SIX 55 46
DEGAULLE'S OFFICEPARIS
CHARLES DeGAULLE [President of France] and
ACHESON [former Secretary of State] examine the
photographic evidence.
DEGAULLE [PRESIDENT OF FRANCE]

Your President does me a great honor by sending me so distinguished an emissary.
Thank you, General DeGaulle.
Mr. Acheson, are you consulting me or informing me?
Informing you.
You may tell your President that France will support him. I think that in the
circumstance, President Kennedy has no other choice.
(takes a closer look at photographs)
From what altitude were these taken?
Fourteen miles.
Why, in your opinion, did the Soviets take this action?
They gambled, sir.
Without cause?
It's perhaps not flattering to my own government for me to say that the Soviets had
been led to believe they could get away with it.
(nods; examines photographs)
Fourteen miles...remarkable.
SEVEN 56 47
DAY SEVEN
Monday, October 22nd
56

The Executive Committee is in session. Prominent
members of the Committee are reporting to JFK.

Mr. President, State wants the speech revised, to base our legal right to quarantine
on the hemispheric right to self-defense through the Organization of American
States rather than on Article 50 of the UN Charter...
The U-2 surveillance flights have been increased to seven per day. Missile elements
at San Cristobal are now operational...
Mr. President, you'll meet with the National Security Council at 3:00 P.M.
It would be unwise to cancel the courtesy call of Prime Minister of Uganda at 3:30...
The Cabinet meeting has been arranged at 4:00.
Mr. President, your address to the nation is scheduled on all three networks at seven
P.M. Eastern Standard time...
...In accordance with your directive...
...Persuant to your orders...
...Following your request...
...Under your instructions...
57
CORRIDORWHITE HOUSE
JFK [PRESIDENT] and entourage are moving
together. JFK and RFK [Attorney General] in the
lead followed by McCone, Taylor, Rusk and
McNamara.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I understand you had a problem collecting the Congressional leaders.
SEVEN 57 48

Yes, most of them had to be air-lifted.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Have they been tipped off?
Hopefully, no.
(JFK and the entourage go through the door.)
58

JFK [President] and his people have briefed
SENATOR RUSSELL, REPRESENTATIVE
HALLECK, SENATOR FULBRIGHT and
SENATOR 2.
HALLECK [REPRESENTATIVE-R]
Mr. President, I'll support what you're saying tonight, but I want the record to show
that I've been informed but never consultedabout this important decision.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Congressman, I appreciate your support.
SENATOR 2
I don't want to criticize at this grave hour, Mr. President, but some of us have been
warning about Soviet military preparations in Cuba for months and you've
consistently denied our charges and refused to take action until now you present us
with this...this calamity.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
The charges were neither documented nor proven.
SENATOR 2
Well, now that they are documented and proved, I wonder if your action is adequate
to meet the provocation.
RUSSELL [SENATOR-D]
Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Senator Russell.
RUSSELL [SENATOR-D]
Sir, I must say that I couldn't live with myself if I didn't speak out in the strongest
possible terms. It is vitally important that we act with greater strength than you are
contemplating.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Let me say again, I plan to do everything necessary to protect our country.
SEVEN 58 49
RUSSELL [SENATOR-D]
With all respect, the blockade is a halfway measure. It will alienate our allies while
doing the Communists no tangible harm whatsoever. Mr. President, we have to
destroy those bases.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Senator, it's still possible that we can resolve this matter without a devastating war.
And I won't launch such a war lightly, I assure you. Once there's an attack, our
enemies could respond with a missile barrage from Cuba alone that would kill eighty
million of our people. Eighty million!
FULLBRIGHT [SENATOR-D]
Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Senator Fulbright...
(back to Russell)
Your entire constituency could be wiped out in the first thirty seconds.
I won't associate myself with what has been said here. Since it will be necessary to
strike Cuba and to invade it, I think we should do so now, quickly, with the
overwhelming power which is still ours.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Let me get this straight. You're for an invasion of Cuba, Bill? You and Senator
Russell here? Is that correct?
Regretfully, Mr. President, I think that your plan for an embargo will fail in the end.
59
CORRIDORWHITE HOUSE
Fuming, JFK [President] bursts out of the door and
into the corridor. RFK [Attorney General] falls in
step with him.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
You know what they said in there? 'Oh, sure, we support you, Mr. President, but it's
your decision, not ours, and if things go wrong, we'll knock your block off.' Maybe I
ought to let them have this lousy job.
It's too late for that now.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Have you ever noticed that when there's a large group of them, they always follow
the leader with the biggest bomb?
60
SEVEN 60 50

JFK [President] takes his place in his chair behind
the desk. Sorensen [Council to JFK] hands him a
folder. He opens it to the front page of his speech and
begins to study it.
(SORENSEN [COUNCIL TO JFK])

(Good evening, Mr. President. I substituted strike for wipe
out, and deleted the reference to megatonnage.)
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Thank you, Ted.
(Mrs. Lincoln [Secretary to JFK] surprises JFK by pulling
at his hair with a hairbrush, trying to get it under control.)
(waving her off)
Thank you, Mrs. Lincoln, thank you.
TV TECHNICIAN
Thirty seconds, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Will I hear the introduction?
TV TECHNICIAN
Yes, sir.
(The TV Technician disappears behind the camera. JFK
composes himself.)
ANNOUNCER'S VOICE
Speaking from the White House, the President of the United States.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Good evening, my fellow citizens. This government, as promised, has maintained the
closest surveillance of the Soviet military build-up on the island of Cuba. Within the
past week, unmistakable evidence has established the fact that a series of offensive
missile sites is now in preparation on that imprisoned island. The purpose of these
bases can be none other than to provide a nuclear strike capability against the
Western Hemisphere...
61
SEVEN 61 51
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
Khrushchev's counterparts to JFK's Executive
Committee are walkingmarchingtogether down
the corridor...
JFK'S VOICE [PRESIDENT]

...Acting therefore in defense of our own security and under the authority entrusted
to me by the Constitution, I have directed that the following steps be taken.
First: To halt this offensive build-up, a strict quarantine is being initiated en all
offensive military equipment under shipment to Cuba. All ships of any kind bound
for Cuba will, if found to contain cargoes of offensive weapons, be turned back.
(...to find KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere] inspecting a
chart on an easel which is nearly a duplicate of American
Chart.)
JFK'S VOICE [PRESIDENT] (cont'd)
Second: I have directed the increased close surveillance of Cuba.
Third: It shall be the policy of this nation to regard any nuclear attack launched from
Cuba as an attack by the Soviet Union on the United States requiring a full
retaliatory response. Fourth: I have reinforced our base at Guantanamo.
Fifth: We are calling for an immediate meeting of the Organization of American
States. Sixth: We are asking tonight that an emergency meeting of the Security
Council of the United Nations be convoked without delay to take action against this
latest Soviet threat to world peace...
I wonder if Kennedy has gone mad.
62

JFK [President] concludes his speech.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
...Seventh and finally: I call upon Chairman Khrushchev to halt and eliminate this
clandestine, reckless and provocative threat to world peace and stable relations
between our two countries. Our goal is not the victory of might but the vindication
of rightnot peace at the expense of freedom, but both peace and freedom here in
this hemisphere and we hope around the world. God willing, that goal will be
achieved.
EIGHT 63 52
DAY EIGHT
Tuesday, October 23rd
63
FILM: US MILITARY PREPARATIONS
NARRATION
The US Tactical Air Force command from commanding officer 47th Attack
Squadron, all aircraft fully ready, fully armed, and on air alert.
64

The Executive Committee is in session, JFK
presiding. McCONE [Director of CIA] is finishing
his analysis of the new photographic evidence.
NARRATION
The eighth day of the Missiles of October.
Gentlemen, as a result of yesterday's U-2 flight, we've counted forty-two medium
range nuclear missiles unpacked, in position on erectors, and prepared for
launching. Also, there's detailed evidence that elements of the surface-to-air missile
system are operational.
(A phone rings. BALL answers.)
(into phone)
Yes? Yes, thank you.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
George, what have you got?
Still nothing from Khrushchev. No statements or military moves anywhere in the
world.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Why hasn't Khrushchev moved?
Russia's been caught with its missiles hanging out, they're stalling in order to look
like honest peace-loving citizens while we shape up like outrageous militarists.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
General, what happens if one of our U-2 planes is shot down?
We knock out all of their SAMs.
EIGHT 64 53

A massive air strike.
We're sending our men up, we have an obligation to protect them.
Just as the Cubans feel the obligation to shoot them down.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Bob, how long would it take us to launch a retaliatory raid?
Two hours.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Very well. We're not going to overact. If one of our U-2s is hit, we'll knock out the
appropriate SAM installation. But no such attack will occur until all the facts have
been verified...then only on my specific orders. Is that clear?
Yes, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
George. The State Department will have to arrange for regular consultations with
all of the Ambassadors from the NATO countries. We're going to have to prepare on
the assumption that Khrushchev is going to move in Berlin before this thing goes
much further.
(A phone rings. McCone answers.)
(relaying from phone)
Mr. President. Khrushchev's response is coming in now.
65
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere] speaks.

President Kennedy of the United States last night announced that he had instructed
the United States Navy to intercept all ships proceeding to Cuba... Undertaking
such a gamble, the United States is taking a step on the road of unleashing a
thermonuclear world war. The United States usurped the right to attack ships of
other states on the high seas, that is, to engage in piracy.
66
EIGHT 66 54
UNITED NATIONS
STEVENSON [Ambassador to UN] is addressing the
Security Council.

We hope that Chairman Khrushchev has not made a miscalculation, that he has not
mistaken forbearance for weakness. We cannot believe he supposes that, though we
lack power, we lack nerve; that though we have the weapons, we will not use them.
67
KREMLINSOVIET UNION

The imperialistic forces of the United States seek to dictate to Cuba what policy she
can carry through, what domestic order ought to be, what weapons she should have
for defense. But who gave the United States the right to assume the role of master
of destiny of other countries and peoples? Why should Cuba settle its internal
affairs, not at its own discretion, but so as to please the United States?
68
UNITED NATIONS

We hope, we still pray, that the worst may be avoidedthat the Soviet leadership
will call an end to this ominous adventure.
69
KREMLINSOVIET UNION

Cuba belongs to the Cuban people. Only they can be the masters of their destiny.
President Kennedy assumes a grave responsibility for the fate of peace. He is
recklessly playing with nuclear fire.
70

With JFK [President] and his translation of the
Khrushchev speech, are SORENSEN [Council to
JFK], RFK [Attorney General], SALINGER [Press
Secretary].
JFK [PRESIDENT]
When the hell are we going to hear from the Organization of American States? How
long can Adlai extemporize?
They're voting now.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Ted, I've been hearing that for hours.
EIGHT 70 55

Mr. President, each of the Latin American Ambassadors has to call back to his
capital for instructions.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
But I thought you arranged special lines, Pierre?
Yes, sir, I did. But some of the Ambassadors haven't been able to get through yet.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
My dad should have bought the telephone company when he had the chance.
(BALL [Under Secretary of State] enters.)
Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Let's have it, George.
The OAS vote is complete. Latin America voted nineteen to nothing in favor of our
resolution.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
That's marvelous. Congratulate Ed Martin and Rusk for me.
Even Bolivia went alongand only Uruguay abstained because the Ambassador
couldn't get through to Montevideo.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Pierre, turn up the tube.
(Salinger has turned on the television. We see Stevenson at
the UN.)
Stevenson doesn't seem to know about the OAS vote.
(on television)
The foremost objection of the States of the America to the Castro regime is not that
it is revolutionary, not that it is socialist... not even because Dr. Castor perverted a
noble revolution. We object because he has aided and abetted an invasion of this
hemisphere...
JFK [PRESIDENT]
(into phone)
What's going on up there? Stevenson doesn't seem to know about the OAS vote?
EIGHT 70 56

(on television)
Dr. Castro has given the Soviet Union a bridgehead and a staging area and has
invited an extracontinental, anti-democratic and expansionist power...
(as he talks, a messenger places a note in front of him)
Excuse me...
JFK [PRESIDENT]
(into phone)
All right, Harlan. He's got the note. Thank you.
(on television)
I have just been informed that the Organization of American States this afternoon
adopted a resolution by nineteen affirmative votes calling for the immediate
dismantling and withdrawal from Cuba of all missiles and other weapons with any
offensive capabilities.
71
UNITED NATIONS
STEVENSON [Ambassador to UN] is speaking.

This is a solemn and significant day for the life of the United Nations and for the
hope of the world community. Let it be remembered not as the day when the world
came to the edge of nuclear war, but as the day when men resolved that nothing
thereafter would stop them in their quest for peace.
72

JFK [President] is dictating to his secretary, Mrs.
Lincoln.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Dear Adlai: I watched your speech this afternoon with great satisfaction. It has
given our cause a great start. The United States is fortunate to have your advocacy.
You have my warm and personal thanks.
73
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere] is sketching out a
policy for his advisors. GROMYKO [Soviet Foreign
Minister] is among them.

Work will continue around the clock on the Cuban installations. The fact that
Kennedy has discovered our activity has no bearing on their legitimacy.
International law has not been repealed. Our ships have the right to sail on the high
seas. We will protect that right. Diplomatic struggle will go on in the United
(more)
EIGHT 73 57
KHRUSHCHEV [SOVIET PREMIERE] (cont'd)

Nations and around the world. The American blockade, illegal. Our efforts to defend
Cuba are a justifiable response to American aggression. We will defend our ships.
Mr. Chairman, in view of the vote of the Organization of American States...
The American blockade is illegal! The governments of Africa and Asia will not be
influenced by the opinion of the Latin American puppets of the United States.
Comrade Chairman, if I may... The thrust of the American argument is that we
surreptitiously placed offensive nuclear missiles in Cuba.
We did not!
We deny it?
Certainly we deny it. The weapons we've placed there have been for defensive
purposes.
And that is what Zorin is to say at the United Nations?
He's to say that the Soviet's rockets and missiles are so powerful there's no need to
seek a launching site for the outside the territory of the Soviet Union.
74
UNITED NATIONS
ZORIN [Soviet Ambassador to UN] is making his
address.
ZORIN [SOVIET AMBASSADOR TO UN]

The Soviet Union appeals to all the peoples of the world to raise their voices in
defense of the United Nations. It appeals to them to vote against the United States
policy of piracy, banditry and the unleashing of a nuclear war.
75
FILM: US MILITARY PREPARATIONS
NARRATION
From Commander Task Force 136 to Chief of Naval Operations, Task Force blockade
rendezvous complete. Combat air patrols on station. All units full readiness status.
76
EIGHT 76 58

[President] presiding. McCone is completing the
briefing.

We've intercepted a series of coded Soviet naval messages. Now we can't decipher
them, but we've traced them to a Soviet submarine fleet moving into the Caribbean.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
How large a fleet? How many submarines?
We can't estimate that yet, sir. But there's no doubt that they're assembling to
escort and protect those twenty-five Soviet merchant ships approaching the blockade
line. Now, the submarines will be kept under constant surveillance as we locate
them.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
And the merchant ships?
We're tracking them, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Very well, but any order to fire, or to board for that matter, must originate right
here. I've sent another message to Khrushchev urging him to observe our
quarantine and assuring him that we have no wish to fire on any Soviet ships. And I
mean that. We can't let events get out of hand and make the situation more difficult
than it already is. Now, Admiral, suppose one of the Soviet ships tries to run the
blockade? How do we stop her? How much force do we use? Do we disable her? Do
we fire? Do we tow? What?
Well, sir, we'd give an appropriate warning, and then we'd fire at the rudder and
propellers to disable the vessel.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
And then?
And then, sir, we board and search.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
And what if they resist the boarding?
We overcome the resistance.
Why is it necessary to board? Why can't we just throw a line on the ship, tow it to
Jacksonville or Charleston and avoid the confrontation at sea?
EIGHT 76 59
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What if we tow it all the way to Florida, and find out it's carrying a cargo of baby
food?
Mr. President, I think we have to face the probability that there's going to be some
shooting on that blockade line tomorrow morning.
77
UNITED NATIONS / OVAL OFFICEWHITE

HOUSE
GARCIA-INCHAUSTEGUI [Cuban Ambassador to
UN] is presenting his case to the United Nations.
GARCIA [CUBAN AMBASSADOR TO UN]

Cuba is a country which has seen United States aircraft set fire to its plantations
without ever a declaration of war. Cuba is a country which has seen its plants and
factories sabotaged, its workers wounded and killed without ever a declaration of
war. Cuba is a country that has had its territory invaded by mercenaries trained,
directed and subsidized by the United States government, with the public sanction
of Kennedy, without a declaration of war...
(JFK [President] presents his proclamation to the American
people from the Oval office.)
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Now, therefore, I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States of America, do
hereby proclaim that the forces under my command are ordered, beginning at 10:00
A.M. Eastern Time, October 24, 1962, to interdict the delivery of offensive weapons
and associated materials to Cuba...
...Cuba is a country that has suffered the economic boycott of the United States
government and the use of American pressure to isolate us, without the existence of
a state of war...
JFK [PRESIDENT]
...The following are declared to be prohibited material: Surface-to-air missiles;
bomber aircraft; bombs, air to surface rockets and guided missiles; warheads for any
of the above...
...The American blockade against our country is an act of war. It is the use of force
by a great power against the independence of our home...
JFK [PRESIDENT]
...also prohibited to Cuba are any other class of material hereafter designated by the
Secretary of Defense for the purpose of effectuating this proclamation.
We shall resist these illegal measures of North American imperialism. The reply of
our people and of our government to the United States has been general
mobilization.
78
EIGHT 78 60
SORENSON [COUNCIL TO JFK]

What did Castro hope to gain by having his country converted into a sitting duck
missile base?
Maybe the Russians didn't give him any choice. Or maybe he never knew what they
were planning.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
This crisis has very little to do with the Castro government. The bases are Russian,
the technicians are Russian, and the missiles are Russian. This is between
Khrushchev and myself. The great danger here is a miscalculation, a mistake in
judgment. A few weeks ago, I read The Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman...
Have you read that?
(no answer)
In it she tells of the staggering mistakes that the Europeans made that led up to
World War I. The Germans, the Austrians, the Russians, the French and the
British, all stumbled into war. Stupidities, personal idiosyncrasies,
misunderstandings, prejudices, complexes... The First World War, which seemed so
inevitable, was just a stupid mistake.
SORENSON [COUNCIL TO JFK]
Maybe, that's true of most warsall wars.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Someone asked the German Chancellor how the First World War started, and he
said, 'Ach, if we only knew...' I'd like to send a copy of Tuchman's book to every
officer on every ship in our Navy right now. Not that they'd read it.
(The telephone rings. O'Donnell answers it.)
(into phone)
Yes. Right.
(hangs up; to JFK)
Mr. President, there's a new letter from Khrushchev coming in on the wire. They'll
bring the translation as soon as they have it.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
We don't want war and I don't believe the Russians do either. But they took a step
and we had to respond. They react. And we respond again. So for reasons of pride
or security or face, each response leads to a counter-response and we escalate our
way to disaster. We have to control ourselves and try to control events. We must be
careful not to miscalculate or to misjudge, or to challenge the Russians needlessly or
thoughtlessly into a war neither side wants and neither side can win. 'Ach, if we
only knew.'
79
EIGHT 79 61
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere] is reading the text
of his latest letter to his circle of advisors.

President Kennedy: I have your letter of this date. The actions of the United States
of America with regard to Cuba are outright banditry or, if you like, the folly of
degenerate imperialism. The United States is forcing mankind into the abyss of a
world-missile-nuclear war. The Soviet Union will not instruct captains of Soviet
vessels bound on the high seas to Cuba to obey the orders of American naval forces.
If any such effort were to be made to interfere with Soviet ships, we would then be
forced on our part to take the measures which we deem necessary and adequate to
protect our rights. For this, we have all that is necessary.
80
CORRIDORWHITE HOUSE
RFK [Attorney General] and JFK [President] walk in
privacy.

I've read the letter a half a dozen times and there's not a ray of light in it.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What are your plans for this evening?
I'm having dinner with you and David Ormsby-Gore.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
We have to find another way to reach Khrushchev. He's looking back over the past
to Vienna, and he's thinking, 'Kennedy didn't commit American power at the Bay of
Pigs, Kennedy didn't commit American power at the Berlin wall, so Kennedy won't
commit American power now.'
How do we convince him??
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I want you to have a private talk with your friend the Russian Ambassador.
Dobrynin, tonight?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
We're going to miss you at dinner.
81
EIGHT 81 62

Immaculate service, formal dress. JFK [President]
at the head of the table. DAVID ORMSBY-GORE
[British Ambassador to US], two other men and
three women. Silence. A female guest drops her
spoon. It clatters against her plate, drawing stares.
JFK manages a smile.
82
SOVIET EMBASSY
DOBRYNIN [Soviet Ambassador to US] speaks to
RFK [Attorney General].
DOBRYNIN [SOVIET AMBASSADOR TO US]

Mr. Attorney General, in the past I've told you precisely what Chairman Khrushchev
told me. I believed him then and I believe him now. I assure you that so far as I
know, there are no offensive missiles in Cuba.
But Mr. Ambassador, we have the proof, there are offensive missiles in Cuba.
Why didn't the President accuse us when Gromyko and I sat with him, in his office,
just two days ago?
There was nothing that the President could tell Gromyko that Gromyko didn't
already know. And Gromyko didn't bring it up because evidently your government
was determined to deceive us.
I cannot accept that.
You must accept the fact, Mr. Dobrynin, that the missiles are there. And President
Kennedy will never allow those bases to stand in Cuba.
There's no threat to peaceful relations between us.
There is, and the President will not tolerate this breach of trust, this act of war,
taken at the very moment when men we've come to trustmen like yourselfhave
been assuring us of your peaceful intentions.
It was not my intention to mislead President Kennedy.
And now? Can you communicate Chairman Khrushchev's now, without misleading
us?
EIGHT 82 63

All I can say now is that my government...my government considers the blockade
illegal and unwarranted.
I can assure you the blockade was the most moderate response we could devise.
An act of war? We're attempting to react as sensibly as possible.
Let me ask you this question directly, Mr. Dobrynin, are your ships going to try to go
through to Cuba?
Yes, the Captains have received those instructions.
President Kennedy wants the Chairman to know that if your ships try to go through,
we will turn them back.
That suggests a very harsh picture.
Well, it's a statement of fact. We don't want to mislead Chairman Khrushchev.
Surely there is some other message you wish to convey, some basis for negotiation?
At the moment none. We will turn your ships back.
I don't want to be accused again of misleading the President. The Chairman will
take appropriate action.
And so will the President.
83

JFK [President] and Ormsby-Gore are now alone.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
The facts are perfectly clear.

ORMSBY-GORE [BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO US]
But you haven't made them public.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Whatever uninformed public opinion may be, those Soviet bases exist.
EIGHT 83 64

Many of your closest allies and friends are not convinced. Even Hugh Gaitskell talks
about 'so-called' missiles in Cuba.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Would you prefer an air-strike or invasion?
I prefer diplomacy.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Yes. Khrushchev would welcome a summit. But while he's constructing those bases
there's absolutely nothing for me to negotiate but American strength and American
interest.
I think you should release the evidence. Prove to the world that those bases and
missiles exist.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
The evidence is in aerial photographs.
Publish them.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I can't. I'd compromise our intelligence operations.
Mr. President, without ill-informed public opinion on your side, without the world
knowing that those bases and missiles exist, you increase the chances for conflict,
you don't diminish them. There mustn't be the slightest suspicion that you're
provoking a crisis because there's an election here next month.
(RFK [Attorney General] enters. He's very weary, having
arrived directly from his meeting with Dobrynin.)
Good evening, Mr. President. David, how are you?
Missed you at dinner, Robert. How are you?
Very hungry.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What about Dobrynin?
(RFK glances at Ormsby-Gore.)
I have no secrets from Davidat the moment.
Dobrynin insists he knows nothing about the missiles in Cuba.
EIGHT 83 65
JFK [PRESIDENT]
And the ships?
According to him, they're going to run the blockade.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What's your impression, Bobby?
Well, I think Dobrynin is telling the truth. I think he's in the dark about the
missiles. And he's frightened. Events are moving too fast and he isn't receiving up
to the minute instructions.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Then it's possible that Khrushchev hasn't made up his mind.
It's possible, yes.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Or that he's not running the show over there any more.
That makes the situation even more dangerous.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I know that, David! There are twenty-five or so Soviet ships that are going to hit our
blockade line in the morning. I can't control them.
Khrushchev might not be able to either.
He needs time.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Possibly.
You've drawn the quarantine line, what, eight hundred miles from Cuba. You could
contract it closer to the island so that all twenty-five ships don't encounter it
tomorrow.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I've considered contracting the arc. I've thought about that.
Give the Kremlin time to digest what's happening and perhaps disengage gracefully.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
It puts our ships on the quarantine line within range of Soviet MIGs in Cuba. It
makes our men vulnerable to air attack.
We can make it clear that if the MIGs attack, we will shoot them down.
EIGHT 83 66
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Sure. And every step I take forward to prevent a war becomes a step back into one.
(JFK picks up a telephone; into phone)
This is the President. Locate Secretary McNamara for me.
(to RFK & Ormsby-Gore)
I'll contract the quarantine arc to five hundred miles. The next move is
Khrushchev's.
84
FILM: SOVIET MILITARY PREPARATIONS
NINE 85 67
DAY NINE
Wednesday, October 24th
85
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere] is conferring with
GROMYKO [Soviet Foreign Minister].
NARRATION
The ninth day of The Missiles of October.
I wonder what Kennedy is thinking. He sends his brother to threaten Dobrynin and
then, at almost the same moment, he contracts the blockade. Does he think that old
man will be frightened by the American show of force, and also grateful for a little
more time to make a decision?
He's moving cautiously to avoid a confrontation at sea.
Certainly. He'd like nothing better than to resolve the crisis on his terms: without a
war and without negotiating away anything of value.
Perhaps we can take a cue from the Kennedy initiative and meet informally with the
new American Ambassador.
No, not a diplomat. I want to meet with somebody of real importance, rooted in the
American systema capitalist. A man of mature judgment, who understands how
much he stands to lose.
There is in Moscow, now on business, a Mr. W.E. Knox, President of Westinghouse
International, an enormous American conglomerate.
86
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
Khrushchev greets W.E. KNOX [US Corporate
President] cordially.

And how are my people treating you, Mr. Knox?
KNOX [US CORPORATE PRESIDENT]
Mr. Chairman, they are literally killing me with kindness.
I hope you'll report our good manners to your government.
NINE 86 68

I certainly will, Mr. Chairman.
(raising his glass)
Peace.
(ignoring toast)
Mr. Knox, I want you to believe me when I tell you that it was a very dark day when
your President announced his blockade. Except in times of war, the freedom of the
seas is recognized by all nations. It's true, my merchant ships aren't armed. You'll
be able to stop them. But it you do, I'll instruct our submarines to sink your naval
vessels.
Mr. Chairman, President Kennedy has made it clear that there are alternatives
short of war.
Has he? I had my differences with President Eisenhower, but I'm certain that if he
were President now the Cuban problem would have been handled in a very different
manner. I'd hate to believe that President Kennedy's policies are due to the fact that
there will soon be an election in America.
Very few Americans believe that, sir.
In any event, President Kennedy's policy is very dangerous, difficult to negotiate.
You know, It's a fact that my eldest son is older than your President.
His policy is a reaction to the fact that your government surreptitiously placed
offensive weapons in Cuba.
Offensive weapons? Offensive weapons? Your country invaded Cuba oncewe have
an obligation to defend her. If someone is attacked with a pistol, the pistol is an
offensive weapon. But if Cuba uses that same pistol to defend herself, it is a
defensive weapon.
I'm not a military man, but I think I know the difference between defensive weapons
and nuclear missiles and bombers.
We have an obligation to defend Cuba, and we will do so! The weapons we have
furnished include antiaircraft and ballistic missiles with conventional and
thermonuclear warheads. If you want to satisfy yourself on that point, all you have
to do is to attack Cuba and Americans will find out very quickly. I'm not interested
in the destruction of the world, but if we all want to meet in hell, it's up to you.
87
NINE 87 69

RFK [Attorney General] looks over Knox's report.

In public the Russians deny that they have missiles in Cuba, while Khrushchev
brags about them in private.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
If they're this mean on this one, in our part of the world, what's it gonna be like next
time, somewhere else?
If you hadn't acted, I think you would have been impeached.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
That's what I thinkI would have been impeached.
88
FILM: PEACE DEMONSTRATIONS
BERTRAND RUSSELL'S VOICE [NOBEL PRIZE

WINNER/PEACE ACTIVIST]
We congratulate Premiere Khrushchev for his statesmanlike conduct. We demand
that President Kennedy halt his illegal and provocative actions. We call upon people
everywhere throughout the world to join us in demanding that the United States
stops its nuclear madness.
89
UNITED NATIONS
U THANT [UN Secretary-General] stands in front of
a delegation of neutralist bloc delegates.
U THANT [UN SECRETARY-GENERAL]

As Secretary General of the United Nations I have been asked by a large number of
member nations to address an urgent appeal in the present critical situation. It is
important that time should be given to enable the parties concerned to get together
with a view to resolving the present crisis peacefully. This involves the voluntary
suspension of the quarantine measures involving the searching of ships bound for
Cuba. I believe that such voluntary suspension for a period of two or three weeks
would greatly ease the situation.
90

Along with the Executive Committee, JFK is reacting
to U THANT's [UN Secretary-General] speech...
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Two or three weeks... Go ahead, please.
(...while browsing new photographic evidence.)
NINE 90 70

Mr. President, this is a bunker for a nuclear warhead. The first one we've spotted
above-ground.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Can we increase the surveillance flights?
Yes, if we use Navy P8U planes.
They fly at low levels, Mr. President. They'll make easy and obvious targets.
(The phone rings. McNamara answers.)
(into phone)
Yes. Go ahead, please.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Authorize the flights around the clock if possible. I want absolutely accurate
informationand I want Khrushchev to know that I'm getting it.
Yes, sir.
Mr. President, I've just received word about the Soviet ships Gagarin and Komiles
approaching the quarantine line. Admiral Ward reports that a Soviet submarine has
moved into position between them. Apparently, they're going to try to run the
blockade together.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
How does Ward propose to respond?
He's bringing up the Essex. She'll send helicopters over the submarine. The Essex
will signal for the sub to surface and identify itself. If the Russians refuse, depth
charges will be fired until the submarine surfaces.
(Quiet. This is war and they know it.)
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Isn't there some way we can avoid having our first confrontation with a Russian
submarine? Anything but a Soviet warship!
Mr. President, there isn't any alternative now, sir. This is what we're prepared
forthis is what we have to expect.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
If they force us to fire, they want a pretext to move on Berlin...or to launch their
missiles.
(more)
NINE 90 71

(to Taylor)
Maxwell, I want you to personally review the position of our aircraft all over the
country. I don't want our planes lined up wing-tip to wing-tip the way they were
before Pearl Harbor.
I can assure you that they're not, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
The aerial...the aerial photographs I had taken yesterday showed that our entire air
force was a sitting duck.
It's been corrected, sir.
(Another phone signal for McNamara. He answers, listens.)
(relaying to JFK)
The Essex helicopters have flown into position. They're preparing to attack.
Admiral Ward is in direct command.
You've done everything possible to anticipate this, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Have I?
Yes, you have.
91
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere] and his
underlings watch events unfold.
NARRATION
Seven aircraft carriers and the nuclear carrier Enterprise and some 90 other ships
carrying fifty thousand Marines, 156 American ICBMs are at combat readiness, not
including the Polaris Submarine Strike Force. The Strategic Air Command is at
maximum alert.
92
NINE 92 72

A telephone signals again. McNAMARA [Secretary
of Defense] listens for only a moment, and then
speaks urgently.

Mr. President, I have a report that seems to indicate that some of the Russian ships
have stopped dead in the water.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Stopped? Are you certain? Which ones?
I'm getting some sort of confirmation here.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Is it true, damn it!
Six Soviet vessels appeared to have slowed or have turned back to the Soviet Union.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Which ships?
The situation is confused. Some ships are dead in the water, some have turned...a
few are continuing but they're far off the line...
The Gagarin and the Komiles have put about.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Well, all right.
We're eyeball to eyeball and I think the other fellow just blinked.
(RFK interrupts the celebration.)
Mr. President, it's terribly important for the Navy to know what they're to do now.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
They're not to interfere. Order Ward not to do anything. No Soviet ships outside the
quarantine line are to be stopped or intercepted. We're going to give the Russians a
chance to turn back without being challenged. Maybe Khrushchev can work his way
out of this. Pass the word, quick, before somebody fouls up.
NINE 92 73

(into phone)
This is a direct order from the President of the United States...
93

Behind ADMIRAL ANDERSON [Chief of Naval
Operations] is a large wall display with the
quarantine position marked and the location of the
Soviet tankers and cargo ships indicated. Naval
personnel move about discharging their duties.

(into phone)
I see. Yes, sir.
(hangs up; passing the command)
Well, Admiral, I've just received direct orders from the President. No Soviet ships or
submarines beyond the blockade zone are to be stopped, boarded, or harassed.
NAVAL AIDE
Damn!
94

The Executive Committee celebrates, forgetting at the
moment, the photo enlargement of the nuclear
warhead bunker, still being worked on by Soviet
technicians.
95
PRESS BRIEFINGWHITE HOUSE

Conducted by PIERRE SALINGER [White House
Press Secretary].

We're asking all of you to exercise caution and discretion. The President is
particularly anxious, and this is background, that we avoid the impression that we're
trying to patronize Khrushchev, or that we're claiming victory. Now as for the
present situation on the blockade line, the Department of Defense will release such
information as we feel to be consistent with the national interest.
96

JFK [President] & McNAMARA [Secretary of
Defense] in consultation.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
The crucial fact is that the Soviet ships have changed course.
NINE 96 74

The Joint Chiefs suspect that the Soviets turned back to rendezvous with their
submarines. The thinking is that they are regrouping to run the blockade.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Is there any specific evidence on that?
No, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
No. The Navy has the Soviet ships and subs under continuous surveillance?
Yes, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Tomorrow morning there will be new ships reaching the quarantine. The military
can't automatically and rigidly treat every damn boat like an enemy. I want you to
make absolutely certain that the Navy understands my policy in full.
Yes, sir.
97

McNAMARA [Secretary of Defense], ADMIRAL
ANDERSON [Chief of Naval Operations], AIDES.
On the situation board where the location of the
Soviet and American ships are plotted, one American
ship seems off by itself.

What's that ship doing out there by itself, Admiral?
It's on patrol, Mr. Secretary.
I don't understand her position.
It's a security matter, sir. to Aide Copy Admiral Ward on this immediately.
Admiral? Could you step outside for a moment, please.
Very well, sir.
(They move away.)
NINE 97 75

Admiral, we know we have ample power to defeat the Soviets in the Caribbean, but
they might react someplace else in a spasm, with nuclear weapons. The President
doesn't want to push Khrushchev to those extremes.
Mr. Secretary, by any standards, a blockade is an act of war. I know the Soviets
understand as muchand I think we should, sir.
We can't view this as a conventional blockade.
I have my procedures.
Admiral, tomorrow morning the Soviet tanker Bucharest is going to be at that line.
Now that ship is not to be sunk. It is not to be boarded if it responds to our request
for it to identify itself and its cargo.
We're aware of the Bucharest, Mr. Secretary, as we are also aware of six Soviet
submarines spread out over the Caribbean.
Do you have a Russian-speaking officer on each destroyer on that blockade line?
I don't know.
Find out! What are you going to do if a Soviet captain refuses to discuss his cargo?
(waving a thick manual)
Mr. Secretary, this is a Manual of Naval Regulations evolved continuously over our
entire history. It covers every contingency. There's a copy of this book on every ship
in the Navy.
Admiral, I don't give a damn what John Paul Jones would have done. I want to know
what you are going to do.
I am going to follow my orders, sir. Now, if you'll go back to your offices, Mr.
Secretary, the Navy will run the blockade.
TEN 98 76
DAY TEN
Thursday, October 25th
98

JFK [President], RFK [Attorney General],
SORENSEN [Council to JFK].
NARRATION
The tenth day of the Missiles of October.
(SALINGER [Press Secretary] enters in a rush.)
Excuse me, Mr. President, the news services have just released the story that we've
let the Bucharest through the quarantine.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
How did they get it?
It leaked after a briefing.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Who gave the briefing?
Tom Hughes, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I want to speak with him.
We've left word, paged him at the airport, but he can't be reached.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What good is it to set strategy and make decisions and then have it plastered all over
the newspapers?
(Phone rings. Salinger answers it.)
(into phone)
Yes?
(to JFK)
Mr. President, Tom Hughes.
(JFK grabs the telephone.)
TEN 98 77
JFK [PRESIDENT]
(into phone)
This is the President. What the hell is going on there, Hughes? We set up briefings
to take Congress into our confidence not to blow our strategy. Anything about the
Bucharest should have come from the Pentagon. I was specific on that very point.
(listening)
Yes, I know all about that, but it shouldn't have happened.
(listening)
Yes. Yes, well that's very useful, Tom. Yes, thank you very much. Good-bye.
(hangs up)
It wasn't Hughes' fault. Some Congressman shot his mouth off. There's no sense
sitting on the story now. Pierre, release the details about the ships that we turned
backand the ships we permitted through.
(to Sorensen)
Ted.
Yes, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Now is the time to respond to U Thant's latest appeal. Publicly. Draft a statement
saying that we have done and will continue to do everything possible to avoid a
confrontation at sea. But make it clear that the threat to the peace was created by
the Soviet weapons, and the only answer is the removal of those weapons.
Mr. President, Khrushchev still denies that there are offensive missiles in Cuba.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
We're well aware of that, Pierre.
Well, judging by the press I read, most of the world believes Khrushchev.
This isn't the moment to take a poll, Pierre.
All I know is what I read in the newspapers. American flags have been torn down
from embassies in a half a dozen capitols. People are marching against us in
London, Paris, Hong Kong, Tokyo. Not to mention the communist countries, most
American cities, and also a couple of hundred...
It is a frustrating situation here.
Dammit!
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Go ahead, Pierre.
The feeling runs deep that we're not telling the truth. Good people suspect that
we're provoking this crisis, and I think we have an obligation to answer.
TEN 98 78
(As JFK ponders, the phone rings. O'Donnell answers.)

Mr. President, it's Stevenson and Rusk on a conference call.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I'll need John McCloy, also.
Yes, sir.
(As JFK moves to take the conference call, the others start to
disband.)
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Pierre, where do you think you're going? Sit down, light up a cigar.
(into phone)
Hello, Adalai...
99
UNITED NATIONS
ZORIN [Soviet Ambassador to UN] addresses the
council.

President Kennedy claimed to have incontrovertible information that offensive
weapon sites were in preparation in Cuba. He claimed to have incontrovertible facts
in his hand. But no such facts exist. The government of the United States has no
facts in its hands except falsified information from the United States Intelligence
Agency. Falsity is what the United States has in its hand. False evidence. The
government of the United States has deliberately intensified the crisis, deliberately
prepared this provocation, and has tried to cover up by means of this discussion in
the Security Council. Such steps can lead to catastrophic consequences for the whole
world.
I want to say to you, Mr. Zorin, that I do not have your talent for obfuscation, for
distortion, for confusing language and for double talk. And I must confess to you
that I am glad that I do not. The other day, Mr. Zorin, I remind you that you did not
deny the existence of these weapons in Cuba. Instead we heard that they were
defensive weapons. But now you say that they do not exist, or that we have not
proved they exist, with another fine flood of rhetorical scorn. All right, sir, let me ask
you one simple question: Do you, Ambassador Zorin, deny that the USSR has placed
and is placing medium and intermediate range missiles and sites in Cuba? Yes or
nodon't wait for the translationyes or no?
I am not in an American courtroom, sir, and therefore I do not wish to answer a
question that is put to me in the fashion in which a prosecutor puts questions. In
due course, sir, you will have your reply.
You are in the courtroom of world opinion right now and you can answer yes or no.
You have denied they exist. I want to know if I understand you correctly.
TEN 99 79

Will you please continue sir? You will have your statement, your answer in due
course.
I am prepared to wait for my answer until hell freezes over, if that's your decision.
And I am also prepared to present the evidence here in this room...
Ambassador Schweitzer of Chile is next on my list to speak...
I have not finished my statement. I asked you a question. I have had no reply to the
question, and I now proceed to finish my statement. I doubt if anyone in this room,
except possibly the representative of the Soviet Union, has any doubt about the
facts. But, in view of his statements and the statements of the Soviet government, I
am going to make a portion of the evidence available right now...
(Revealed are the familiar photographic blow-ups of the
progress of the missile sites.)
STEVENSON [AMBASSADOR TO UN] (cont'd)
The first photograph shows the area in late August, 1962. It was then only a
peaceful countryside. The second photograph shows the same area one day last
week. A few tents and vehicles have come into the area. The third, taken only
twenty-four hours later, reveals facilities for a medium-range missile battalion
installed. And that, indisputably, is a bunker for a nuclear warhead. Now I hope
that now we can get down to business and we can stop this sparring. We know the
facts, and so do you, sir, and we're ready to talk about them. Our job here is not to
score debating points. Our job, Mr. Zorin, is to save the peace. And if you are ready
to try, so are we.
100
CUBA
YEFTASHANKO [SOVIET MILITARY

TECHNICIAN]
Americans, my name is Yefgani Yeftashanko. I speak to you from Cuba. Rigid
sentries shine tonight in the gusting storm, a tobacconist carrying a revolver
prepares to leave for the harbor, a shoemaker cleans an old machine gun. A show
girl from a cabaret wearing army boots reports to a carpenter standing watch.
America, where is your shame? In your holy hypocrisy you have forced them to take
arms while condemning them for self-defense. You have lost your greatness, you
have gone blind, while Cuba, a small nation, finds its greatness in the eye of the
storm.
ELEVEN 101 80
DAY ELEVEN
Friday, October 26th
101

[President] presiding.
NARRATION
The eleventh day of the Missiles of October.
(finishing his briefing)
...Gentlemen, elements of the medium-range missiles and Surface-to-Air systems are
now operational. The entire weapons complex will be complete in a matter of days.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
The blockade hasn't had any effect.
None.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Bob, I want you to make preparations to add oil, fuel and lubricants to the list of
embargoes items.
Right away, Mr. President.
The missiles will be operational long before we can squeeze them out of oil.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Also we should compile a list of all the Cuban doctors in the Miami area for service in
Cuba if we have to invade.
I think I can organize that, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
The United States Information Agency should prepare leaflets of explanation to the
Cuban people advising them to seek safety and explaining our motives.
We'll coordinate that one, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Khrushchev's trying to bide time to negotiate his way into maintaining those bases.
I've given him time to extricate himself gracefully. Now we must convey an
uncompromising message: this government is prepared to negotiate, but not until
those missiles are removed from Cuba. We will not be deterred, we will not be
shaken. We'll bomb if we must, we'll invade if we must.
102
ELEVEN 102 81
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere] being grilled by
his Presidium.
PRESIDIUM MEMBER 1
Is it your intention, Mr. Chairman, to comply with Kennedy's demands and
dismantle the bases? Or shall we pursue our initiative, order our military
establishment to nuclear alert and prepare to respond in Berlin when Kennedy
invades Cuba?
Those alternatives are unacceptable! Unacceptable! I established the Cuban missile
system in order to improve our nuclear capability and to insure the survival of the
Castro regime. I will not retreat from that position unilaterally because of American
threats! Nor did I assume the leadership of the Party and the government in order
to throw us into nuclear war over...an incident.
PRESIDIUM MEMBER 1
This 'incident,' is the result of your contrivance and your analysis of Kennedy's
probable response.
I stand by my analysis! I stand by my decisions! The present situation shows the
American President has gone to great lengths to avoid a confrontation. His every
move in the so-called blockade has been designed to prevent hostilities.
PRESIDIUM MEMBER 1
He's refused to negotiate.
He has his war camp to contend with.
PRESIDIUM MEMBER 2
So do we.
Nevertheless, the alternatives are not to surrender or to make war. We must make
it possible for Kennedy to negotiate, without appearing to negotiate. We must make
it possible for him to compromise, without appearing to compromise. Do you agree
with my analysis, Comrade?
(There's a bare nod of assent from Presidium Member 2.)
Good! Good!
103
ELEVEN 103 82
PRESS ROOM, STATE DEPARTMENT /

SOVIET EMBASSY
A long table of typewriters, telephones. JOHN
SCALI [ABC News Reporter] is eating a sandwich.
He picks up a ringing telephone.

(into phone)
Scali speaking. Yes? Who's this?
(ALEXANDER FOMIN [SOVIET INTELLIGENCE
AGENT] is on the telephone at the Soviet Embassy.)
FOMIN [SOVIET INTELLIGENCE AGENT]
(into phone)
This is Alexander Fomin. Have you had lunch?
(glancing at his sandwich)
Yes and no.
I must see you immediately. It is very important.
Well, I'm on assignment soon, Fomin.
Please, you must oblige me.
Where?
The Occidental on Pennsylvania Avenue.
When?
Ten minutes. Don't fail me.
(Fomin hangs up, turns to Dobrynin [Soviet Ambassador].)
FOMIN [SOVIET INTELLIGENCE AGENT] (cont'd)
It's arranged.
I'm very glad. Please keep me informed.
Certainly.
104
ELEVEN 104 83
OCCIDENTAL RESTAURANT
FOMIN [Soviet Intelligence Agent] and SCALI [ABC
News Reporter] are talking over drinks.
Now the urgent matter?

Sniff the air and what do you smell?
War.
At any moment. Something must be done.
Your government should have thought of that before you manipulated the missiles.
You and I will debate cause and effect another time. At this moment sane men must
try to find a way out.
Is there one?
Suppose I were to tell you that I have a proposal that we would like you to take up
with your high level contacts at the State Department.
I'd listen to it, of course.
What would you think of a proposition where we'd solve the crisis along the following
lines: My government would agree to dismantle and remove the offensive weapons in
Cuba, promise never to re-introduce such weapons, and agree to United Nations
inspection and verification.
And my government?
President Kennedy would undertake a solemn promise that neither the United
States nor its allies will invade Cuba now or in the future.
A pledge to respect the integrity of the Castro regime.
Yes. Would your government be interested in this formula?
I don't know.
ELEVEN 104 84

You must find out as quickly as possible.
How can my government know if this is a seriousa valid proposal?
You may say that if Ambassador Stevenson pursues this approach in the United
Nations, our Ambassador Zorin will be most receptive. How long will it take you to
get an answer from your contacts?
Again, I don't know.
(writing number down)
You can reach me at the Embassy or at the number on this card. Call any time, day
or night. But make it soon, please. Soon.
(Fomin gives Scali the phone number.)
105
CORRIDORSTATE DEPARTMENT
SCALI [ABC News Reporter] waits. BALL [Under
Secretary of State] approaches.

John, the Secretary's sorry to keep you waiting, but these things take time as you
well know. He'll get back to you as soon as possible. In the meantime...
I have to wait.
So do we all, sorry.
106
CORRIDORWHITE HOUSE
SALINGER [Press Secretary] finds SCALI [ABC
News Reporter] still waiting.

Scali, what the hell are you doing here? This is out of bounds for reporters, you know
that as well as I do.
I am an exception.
Not by me. Now what are you doing here?
ELEVEN 106 85

Spying for the Chinese Reds.
(O'DONNELL [Assistant TO JFK] arrives to rescue Scali.)
John, the President's ready for you.
Wait, wait, ready for what?
Relax, Pierre, he's on our side.
It's been a pleasure.
(Scali is whisked away.)
107
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
Khrushchev is speaking on the telephone. The
Intelligence Analyst and Gromyko [Soviet Foreign
Minister] wait respectfully.

(into phone)
Have we heard from Fomin? No, I don't understand, it isn't clear to me at all.
(hangs up)
The difficulty is we're nine hours ahead of them. Our nights are their days, their
nights are our days. Kennedy sleeps while I work and I sleep while he works.
Perhaps soon we both sleep.
(The Intelligence Analyst receives information by telephone.)
INTELLIGENCE ANALYST
Mr. Chairman. The low level American reconnaissance flights have been increased
to eight aircraft every two hours.
Would you conclude that they're monitoring the operation of our system or preparing
to attack?
I would conclude that they are performing both functions.
Kennedy plans to attack the moment the weapons system in Cuba is operational.
(to Gromyko)
All right. Thank you, Andrei.
I will remain in my office, Comrade Chairman.
ELEVEN 107 86
(Gromyko exits.)
(to Intelligence Analyst)
I'm going to dictate a new communication to the American President. I will give you
full details later on how it is to be transmitted. It will be, and this is imperative, it
will be absolutely confidential.
Of course.
108
COFFEE SHOP
SCALI [ABC News Reporter] and FOMIN [Soviet
Intelligence Agent] sit at a corner table.

I have reason to believe that the United States government sees real possibilities and
supposes that the representatives of the two governments could work this matter out
with U Thant and with each other. My impression, however, is that time is very
short.
Can I be certain that this represents the views of your government?
My information is from very high sources.
Authoritative sources?
Yes.
That is worth waiting for.
Something else?
There is one other point. Since my government has agreed to United Nations
inspection of our Cuban bases, shouldn't there also be inspection of the American
bases in Florida where your invasion of Cuba is being planned and organized?
You didn't raise that condition before.
I'm attempting to see all the implications of an agreement.
This is an entirely new element. I can't predict how my government might react.
ELEVEN 108 87

It's a fair exchange.
Well, I can only speak as a reporter but I think any such condition would raise
terrible and serious complications. There are no American missiles in Florida
pointed at Cuba. We did not initiate this crisis and I believe President Kennedy will
reject any proposal which suggests that our own bases, on our own soil, are in any
way comparable to Soviet bases on Cuban soil. Let me tell you that the stink of war
is stronger than ever and if you're going to spend time arguing over new conditions
there's going to be a disaster for Cuba, for the Soviet Union, for the whole damn
world!
I understand. I'll communicate your answer. Thank you, and excuse me, I have a
great deal to do.
(Fomin exits.)
109

JFK [President] is silhouetted in the window alone,
deep in thought, as in the iconic photograph.
110
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere] is dictating his
letter.

Dear Mr. President: The time has come to rise above petty passions and transient
things. If indeed war should break out it would not be in our power to stop it, for
such is the logic of war. I've participated in two such wars and I know that it ends
only after it has rolled through cities and villages everywhere sowing death and
destruction. Mr. President, you are mistaken to think of the missiles in Cuba as
offensive weapons. As a military man you should understand that missiles, like oldfashioned cannon, cannot be offensive or defensive. Be calm in this regard, we are of
sound mind, we understand that if we attack you, you will respond. And you
understand that then you will receive what you hurl against us. We are normal
people, we correctly understand the situation. Only lunatics or suicides who
themselves want to die and to destroy the whole world before they die, would
undertake what you accuse us of undertaking. The reason we shipped missiles to
Cuba was because your government attempted to overthrow the Cuban government,
just as your government attempted to overthrow our government after our revolution
in 1917. You have admitted as much to me. And I have admitted those mistakes
which have occurred during the history of my state, which I have acknowledged and
condemned. Mr. President, you have every right, you have every right to be
concerned about the peace and welfare of your people. I am no less concerned with
mine. Let us join in a statesmanlike approach. This is what I propose: my
government will not ship any more weapons to Cuba, and those that are there will
either be withdrawn or destroyed. You will reciprocate by withdrawing your
(more)
ELEVEN 110 88

blockade and agreeing not to invade Cuba. Mr. President, if have not lost your self
control and understand what this might lead to, then we ought not to pull on the
ends of the rope in which you have tied the knot of war. Because the more we pull,
the tighter the knot will become. And the moment may come when the knot is tied
so tightly that even we may not have the strength to untie it. We will have to cut it,
and thereby doom the world to the catastrophe of thermonuclear war. Let us not
only relax the forces pulling on the ends of the rope, let us take measures to untie the
knot.
111

[President] presiding. They're all studying the
Khrushchev communication.

It's Khrushchev all right... I can see him, isolated in the Kremlin, trying to compose
himself. It's the sound of his voice.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What did Acheson say?
Well, he agrees that the letter is from Khrushchev, but he doubts that the Kremlin
will go through with the deal.
Perhaps that's why the letter is so disjointed. Perhaps he sent it entirely on his own
initiative.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Yes, but where, in this torrent of words, does Khrushchev specifically mention
removing those missiles under UN supervision?
Well, that proposal is essentially what Fomin outlined to Scali. Now, sir, I think it's
possible that the two initiatives could be considered jointly.
The hopeful fact, Mr. President, is that Khrushchev isn't demanding that we give up
our bases in Italy, Turkey or Guantanamo.
Mr. President, I think we should draft a response to this as quickly as possible.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Before we do that, I want to make absolutely certain there are no booby traps here.
You'll have to burn the midnight oil again tonight. I want this letter analyzed, and
in light of the Fomin initiative, and a response drafted that we can go over in the
morning.
In the morning?
ELEVEN 111 89
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Yes, in the morning. Cheer up, gentlemen, your President's going to get a good
night's sleep.
112
KHRUSHCHEV'S OFFICESOVIET UNION

KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere] is greeted by a
MARSHALL.
Yes?
MARSHALL
I'm sorry, there is no reply from Kennedy.
If he had responded immediately, perhaps we could have blocked the momentum.
Now... There was a man in a field between a swarm of bees and a herd of bulls. He
knew if he took a false step he'd be stung to death, or trampled to death...or both.
113
KREMLIN - PRESIDIUMSOVIET UNION

Presidium members are standing in place at a long
conference table as Khrushchev takes the head of the
table.

Be seated, Comrades. I would report to the Presidium that good progress has been
made since our last meeting. In this regard, I have received a communication from
our Embassy in Washington. Alexander Fomin has received assurances, on the
highest authority, that President Kennedy is receptive to a settlement. The
Americans are prepared to guarantee to respect the integrity of Cuba, to promise
publicly not to invade, or to assist an invasion, now or in the future.
PRESIDIUM MEMBER 1
Comrade, judging from your private letter to Kennedy, you have promised to remove
the missiles from Cuba.
The purpose of that letter was meant to impress Kennedy with the seriousness of the
situation.
PRESIDIUM MEMBER 1
Has he replied?
It is night time there. No doubt he has the bureaucracy to contend with.
PRESIDIUM MEMBER 2
He has not replied?
ELEVEN 113 90

We have won a considerable victory by the guaranteeing of the Castro regime.
PRESIDIUM MEMBER 3
Mr. Chairman, in order to save valuable timeand in the hope that you will
approvewe have had the Foreign Ministry draft a new letter to President
Kennedy.
A new letter to Kennedy?
PRESIDIUM MEMBER 1
On your behalf, of course.
Let me see it.
PRESIDIUM MEMBER 1
In front of you, sir.
(Khrushchev finds the letter in a folder)
The fifth paragraph is the operative section, Mr. Chairman.
Very well, let's read the fruits of your collective wisdom:
(reading)
'You are worried over Cuba, President Kennedy, because it lies at a distance of
ninety miles across the sea from the shores of the United States. However you have
stationed devastating rocket weapons, which you yourself call offensive, in Turkey
literally right next to us. This is why I make this proposal...
(Khrushchev crumbles the letter in anger.)
TWELVE 114 91
DAY TWELVE
Saturday, October 27th
114

The Executive Committee is going over the second
letter.
KHRUSHCHEV'S VOICE [SOVIET PREMIERE]

...We agree to remove those weapons from Cuba which you regard as offensive. We
agree to do this and to state this commitment in the United Nations. Your
representative will make a statement to the effect that the United States, on its part
will evacuate its analogous weapons from Turkey. Let us reach an understanding on
what time you and we need to put this into effect.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
He's taken back half of what he offered yesterday and added the demandthe
impossible demandthat we trade Turkey for Cuba. As though I can trade nations
like chess men Turkey for Cuba, British Guiana for Berlin! Why has Khrushchev
repudiated his own offer? Who's running the show over there?
There may be a split in the Presidium. They may feel that Khrushchev's been too
reasonable and they're upping the ante.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
It's blackmailand it's damn effective blackmail. It saves Khrushchev's face and it
wins for the Soviet Union the automatic support of all those who think that both
sides are wrong and everyone should sacrifice something. That idea has all sorts of
support, even among our friends, Walter Lippman...
We could ask the Turkish government to reject the demand on its own.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
No. The issue's between the Soviet Union and us. It's not about Turkey, it's about
Cuba. But because my orders to get those damn missiles out of Turkey were
ignored, we've given the Soviets an open invitation to retaliate there if we strike at
Cuba. And, if they go after Turkey, that involves NATO and that's war across the
board! Now we're vulnerable and it's our own damn fault. Bob, how long will it take
to mount an air strike?
Forty-eight hours.
Thirty, if absolutely necessary.
Mr. President, I would rather sink a Russian ship than bomb Cuba.
(JFK exits.)
TWELVE 114 92

That's some damn choice, Bob.
115

O'DONNELL [Asst. to JFK] finds JFK pacing
angrily.
Mr. President...
JFK [PRESIDENT]
All right, Kenny. All right. Just to set the record straight, when was the last time I
asked to have those missiles removed from Turkey? Not the first five times I asked,
just the last time?
I checked it out. You ordered the Jupiters removed the last week in August.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Over two months ago.
Yes, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
And the Defense Department stalled because the Joint Chiefs objected, and the State
Department stalled because the Turkish government objected...
That's right, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
And Defense was wrong and State was wrong, and the Joint Chiefs were wrong...
Yes, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
...and I was wrong.
(RFK [Attorney General] bursts in.)
Mr. President... We need you
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Yes, Bobby?
McNamara just got word: one of our U-2s was just shot down by a Soviet Surface to
Air Missile over Cuba.
TWELVE 115 93
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Shot down?
Yes.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
The pilot?
He's dead. Jack, their SAM system is now operational.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I guess that puts us in a whole new ballgame here.
116
KREMLINSOVIET UNION
KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere] and the Marshall
are moving down a corridor.

Are they proving that guns can kill? Who can be responsible for such a stupid,
insane act?
117

JFK [President] has rejoined the Executive
Committee. Physical and emotional exhaustion.
Patience and courtesy are running short. Simultaneous discussions, information flowing in and
being relayed to JFK. McCone & McNamara are
working separate phones.
(into phone)
You sure it was shot down?
When did it happen, Bob?
(into phone)
Yes, just a minute, please. I want everything you've gotthe name of the pilot...
The plane was shot down up to three hours ago, we're trying to fix the exact time.
The pilot was Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr. He flew the mission that discovered the
missiles on October 14th.
TWELVE 117 94
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Get me some information on his family.
We can't send out those U-2 pilots now unless we knock out those SAM sites?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I want absolute verification that U-2 plane was shot down and didn't crash
accidentally. A very careful review here.
Mr. President, there is no doubt that the report is accurate.
Mr. President, we have no option, but to launch a military response to a military
attack.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
We're on very hazardous ground here. Now the conventional responseour planned
responsewould be to attack Cuba now. But if we do and the Russians respond by
attacking Turkey, what's our next move? Do we launch our Jupiter missiles there?
Do the Russians then respond by launching a missile barrage from Russia or from
Cuba? Can I set this chain of events into motion without taking Turkey and NATO
into my confidence? Don't they have a right to know what we're doing when our
decisions have devastating implications? Am I going to launch an all-out nuclear
war because one junior officer in Cuba pushed a button he shouldn't have pushed and
killed one pilot?
118

JFK announces his decision to his cabinet.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
This is a direct order from the President of the United States: all American missiles
with atomic warheads will be defused immediately. No American nuclear weapons
will be armed or fired without a direct order from the President of the United States.
119

JFK is issuing instructions to several key advisors.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
You are going to prepare possible approaches, short of war or surrender, to the
Jupiter missile situation in Turkey and Italy. Pierre, make it clear to the press that
we're close to invading Cuba. Summarize accurately and in detail the military forces
we've assembled. Make it easy for Soviet intelligence to see that we're serious. I
want State to release a statement acknowledging the receipt of two inconsistent and
conflicting proposals from Khrushchev. Reiterate our position in no uncertain
terms. Get Scali, brief him, instruct him, and send him back to Fomin.
Yes, Mr. President.
120
TWELVE 120 95
RESTAURANT
SCALI [ABC News Reporter] is waiting as FOMIN
[Soviet Intelligence Agent] arrives.

I've been with the State Department people for hours. Fomin, what the hell's going
on in the Kremlin? Khrushchev's proposal today reneges on everything you
suggested yesterday. Did you set me up to divert attention while your friends
arranged for a double-cross?
Honestly, Scali, I'm puzzled, too. My offer was genuine and in good faith.
Then you're being used, too.
I don't believe it.
What's the explanation?
I think it's a matter of bad communications.
(Scali laughs)
The offer I submitted is the latest offer. The other was drafted first and delayed in
transmission.
I don't believe that you people have brought the world to the brink because some
teletype operator screwed-up! This is a dirty stinking double-cross and one of the
most colossal misjudgments in history. We're going to get those missiles out of
Cuba. Your time has run out. You killed one of our men and we think your military
has given your people in Cuba new instructions.
There is no double-cross. The idea of trading our base in Cuba for your base in
Turkey is not unreasonable. Your own Walter Lippman made the proposal three
days ago...
I want to make this as clear as I can. I don't give a damn who mentioned what
unofficially. You have to understand that the idea of trading bases is completely,
totally and perpetually unacceptable. It was unacceptable yesterday, it's
unacceptable today, it will be unacceptable tomorrow and eternally unacceptable...
Any questions?
No, Scali. No questions.
121
TWELVE 121 96

JFK is meeting with BUNDY [National Security
Asst.] as McCONE [Director of CIA] enters.

Mr. President, but we just had reliable word that one of our U-2s has intruded on
Soviet Air Space.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Where?
Over the Chokut Peninsula. The plane was on an air-sampling mission and went off
course. But the Soviets might interpret it as a preparation by us for a nuclear first
strike.
I thought we grounded all U-2 flights everywhere except over Cuba?
We did.
(JFK picks up the telephone.)
JFK [PRESIDENT]
(into phone)
Get me Maxwell Taylor.
(to McCone)
There's always some so-and-so who never gets the word.
122
KREMLIN - PRESIDIUMSOVIET UNION

KHRUSHCHEV [Soviet Premiere] stands before the
other executives of the Soviet Union.

If the Americans want nuclear war they can have it at any time. They don't require
a pretext and neither do we. I have ordered our fighters to track down the American
U-2 and to send it home. But I have also ordered them not to fire upon it. A direct
order. In the time since we dispatched the second letter you so fervently desired
nuclear war has nearly been triggered twice. Once because we cannot control every
action of our forces around the world, and once because Kennedy has the same
limitation. And why did we take this risk? To force America to remove obsolete
weapons under humiliating circumstances? Alexander Fomin has reported to me,
personally, that Kennedy will never agree to those conditions. Do you want to
further test Kennedy's nerve? Are you prepared for war? Are you prepared for total
destruction? Give me an answer.
123
TWELVE 123 97

The Executive Committee is gathered. JFK is
present.

Of course we can't delay responding to Khrushchev's letters any longer. But this
isn't the way to do it.
The State Department consensus is that the President should reject the Soviet terms
in the strongest possible language.
I don't like the tone of this letter your people drafted, Dean, it's entirely negative in
rejecting all of Khrushchev's initiatives. I just don't think it'll do.
Khrushchev put Turkey on the agenda, we have to knock it off.
Why?
We can't simply ignore his proposals.
Which proposals? Fomin's, Khrushchev's first letter, the second letter, which ones?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Bobby, what's on your mind?
Mr. President, last night we felt we had a possible solution in answering the first
letter.
We can't pretend that we never received the second letter.
Why not?
Because we...
Dammit, man, why not? Ted, didn't Fomin tell Scali the second letter was a mistake
in communication?
Yes, he did.
Sir, I think we can pretend to believe him.
TWELVE 123 98

It's a marvelous idea. Bobby, you're absolutely right.
Mr. President, what have we got to lose?
We can draft a reply to Khrushchev which simply ignores the second letter.
Exactly. We'll state our terms as though Khrushchev offered themand then accept
them.
It's very tricky. It all depends on whether Khrushchev can extricate himself.
On whether he wants to extricate himself.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Bobby, if you disagree so violently with State's letter, draft one of your own.
Thank you, sir. Ted...
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Make it clear if they remove the bases and the missiles under UN supervision we'll
negotiate an agreement not invade Cuba now or in the future.
Yes, sir.
It will be said that we've broken our pledge to help the Cuban people regain their
freedom.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
I'm not just negotiating for the Cuban people. This involves the security of the
United States and all of our allies. I'm trying to get out from under a war. Our
power is not infinite. We have limits. Let's try it. Bobby, Ted, go write the letter.
124

JFK [President] is on the phone. RFK [Attorney
General] and Sorensen [Council to JFK] are with
him.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
(into phone)
Thank you for the information.
(hangs up)
Major Anderson had a son just about John's age. I hope somebody will be able to tell
him some day why he died, what cause, for what purpose.
TWELVE 124 99
(Mrs. Lincoln enters with the letter.)

MRS. LINCOLN [JFK'S SECRETARY]
The first draft of the letter, Mr. President.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Thank you, Mrs. Lincoln.
(takes the pages, starts editing)
I'm having Salinger release this as soon as we're finished. I want the public to know
our terms... Bobby, you'll deliver a copy personally to Dobrynin. Tell him that if we
don't get a reply from Khrushchev in thirty-six hours we'll start military action.
125
RFK'S OFFICEJUSTICE DEPARTMENT

DOBRYNIN [Soviet Ambassador to US] has come to
see RFK [Attorney General].

You're presenting me with an ultimatum?
A statement of fact, Mr. Ambassador.
In my personal opinion my government is deeply committed to our Cuban allies. I
don't think you're offering Chairman Khrushchev enough.
We are offering Chairman Khrushchev a peaceful solution to a problem he created.
You must agree to give up your base in Turkey.
No, that's not going to happen now. The Turkish bases might not offer too many
problems in negotiations once this crisis has passed, but not now.
I am very pessimistic. We're committed.
So are we.
126

DAVE POWERS [Asst. to JFK] is eating fried
chicken. JFK is mixing himself a daquiri.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Dave, are you sure your wife doesn't mind being home alone at a time like this?
TWELVE 126 100

She's used to it.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
That's impossible. There's never been a time like this.
(RFK [Attorney General] arrives from his meeting with
Dobrynin.)
How'd it go?
Not well. Dobrynin's frightened, tired, scared. He's like me, he's like all of us.
inspects chicken I want a leg.
There's no more legs.
(slams jacket down in disgust)
Terrific. Dobrynin feels that Khrushchev is too committed to go along with our
letter. That's the word he used, 'committed.' He used it twice.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Did you tell him we were going to invade on Monday?
Yes.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
What did he say?
That they were committed.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Was he telling the truth?
Was I?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Dave, the way you're eating my chicken and drinking my wine anybody would think
it's your last meal.
Well, the way Bobby's been talking, I think maybe it is.
127
TWELVE 127 101

The Executive Committee is in session, as it has been
nearly continuously for almost thirteen days.

There are a total of twenty-four such troop carrier squadrons in the Air Force
Reserve.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
How soon can they be called up?
Immediately.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Have your Department make an announcement to the press.
The Soviets will interpret it as a prelude to the invasion.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Exactly. Bob, you and Maxwell meet with General Sweeney first thing in the
morning, and go over the air strike planning. Have an invasion scenario set for me
by the afternoon.
Yes, Mr. President.
Shouldn't we approve the tentative timetable for the initial air strike on the
assumption...
JFK [PRESIDENT]
No. Let's call it a night. We've had it till Khrushchev replies. Don't despair...
Mr. President, we'll be fighting in Cuba by Tuesday.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
...I think it could go either way now.
128
FILM: AMERICAN NUCLEAR EXPLOSION
NARRATION
The Atomic Energy Commission announced today a successful nuclear test explosion
near Johnston Island in the Pacific.
129
TWELVE 129 102
FILM: SOVIET NUCLEAR EXPLOSION
NARRATION
The Soviet Union today tested an intermediate range atomic device as part of the
continuing Soviet experiments in the Novaya Zemlya area.
130

JFK [President] folds a letter and places it in an
envelope; addresses it: Mrs. Rudolph Anderson, Jr.

Johnny, do you know what Khrushchev did at eight o'clock tonight, Moscow time?
JFK [PRESIDENT]
No idea, Dave.
Well, according to Tass, he took the Presidium with him to the opera.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
It's an old Soviet custom to go to the Bolshoi when things are hot in the Kremlin.
They did it the night they eliminated Beria.
I suggest we establish a White House custom. How do you feel about Audrey
Hepburn?
131
PROJECTION ROOMWHITE HOUSE

POWERS [Assistant TO JFK] watches amused as
the film fades to 'The End.'

Mr. President? Mr. President? It's over.
(JFK hasn't seen a frame. He's lost in thought.)
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Not yet, Dave.
THIRTEEN 132 103
DAY THIRTEEN
Sunday, October 28th
132

JFK is at the desk. Khrushchev's response, decoded
and translated, is laid before him.
NARRATION
The thirteenth day of the Missiles of October.
Khrushchev's response.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
All of it?
Yes, sir.
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Thank you, Kenny.
(JFK reads the letter.)
KHRUSHCHEV'S VOICE [SOVIET PREMIERE]
Dear Mr. President... Dear Mr. President. I regard with great understanding your
concern and the concern of the people of the United States that the weapons you
described as offensive are formidable weapons indeed. Both you and we understand
what kind of weapons these are. In order to eliminate as rapidly as possible the
conflict which endangers the cause of peace my government, in addition to earlier
instructions, has issued a new order to dismantle the weapons which you described
as offensive and to crate and return them to the Soviet Union. I regard with respect
and trust the statement made in your message that there would be no attack, no
invasion of Cuba. Then the motives which induced us to render assistance of such a
kind to Cuba disappear. We are confident that all people will understand, Mr.
President, we are not threatening. Our people have achieved tremendous success
since the October revolution and have created powerful material, spiritual and
cultural values. We want to continue to achieve and to develop on the path of social
progress and the road to peace.
(JFK finishes the letter and closes the folder.)
EPILOGUE 133 104
EPILOGUE
133

The members of the cabinet are gathered.
NARRATION
United States verified the removal of Soviet missiles and bombers from Cuba. The
American blockade ended. Soviet forces destroyed the missile bases, and the land
was plowed over. Within two months not a trace remained of The Missiles of
October.
(JFK enters and takes his place at the table.)
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Who has the agenda?
(They all share a smile.)
134
PRESIDENTIAL PODIUM
JFK [PRESIDENT]
Our problems are man made; therefore they can be solved by men. Across the gulfs
and barriers that now divide us, we must remember that there are no permanent
enemies. Let each nation choose its own future, so long as that choice does not
interfere with the choice of others. If we cannot end our differences, at least we can
make the world safe for diversity. For in the final analysis, our most basic, common
link is the fact that we all inhabit this planet, we all breathe the same air, we all
cherish our children's future, and we are all mortal.
THE END

Missiles of October (Teleplay)

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Missiles of October (Teleplay)

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THE MISSILES OF OCTOBER

VIACOM ENTERPRISES 1974

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

OVAL OFFICEWHITE HOUSE

KHRUSHCHEV [SOVIET PREMIERE]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

DINING ROOMWHITE HOUSE

Good morning, Mr. President.

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

BUNDY [NATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANT]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

OVAL OFFICEWHITE HOUSE

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

OVAL OFFICEWHITE HOUSE

O'DONNELL [ASSISTANT TO JFK]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

O'DONNELL [ASSISTANT TO JFK]

OVAL OFFICEWHITE HOUSE

Bundy briefed me.

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

CABINET ROOMWHITE HOUSE

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

MCNAMARA [SECRETARY OF DEFENSE]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

GENERAL TAYLOR [ARMY]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

RFK [ATTORNEY GENERAL]

KHRUSHCHEV [SOVIET PREMIERE]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

OVAL OFFICEWHITE HOUSE

What do you think, Bobby?

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

CONFERENCE ROOMSTATE DEPARTMENT

GENERAL TAYLOR [ARMY]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

MCNAMARA [SECRETARY OF DEFENSE]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

OVAL OFFICEWHITE HOUSE

STEVENSON [AMBASSADOR TO UN]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

CABINET ROOMWHITE HOUSE

FILM: SOVIET & AMERICAN LAUNCH PADS

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

(The Russian rocket takes off in a shower of noise and

CONFERENCE ROOMSTATE DEPARTMENT

RFK [ATTORNEY GENERAL]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

RFK [ATTORNEY GENERAL]

OVAL OFFICEWHITE HOUSE

RFK [ATTORNEY GENERAL]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

CONFERENCE ROOMSTATE DEPARTMENT

RFK [ATTORNEY GENERAL]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

ACHESON [FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE]

OVAL OFFICEWHITE HOUSE

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

RFK [ATTORNEY GENERAL]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

CABINET ROOMWHITE HOUSE

GENERAL TAYLOR [ARMY]

"MISSILES OF OCTOBER" Stanley R. Greenberg

GENERAL LEMAY [AIR FORCE]