Thirteen Days
The story of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962—the nuclear standoff with the USSR sparked by the discovery by the Americans of missile bases established on the Soviet-allied island of Cuba.
Critics Sentiment
Soviet ships turn back from the quarantine lines
Kennedy authorizes Monday invasion of Cuba under military pressure
The dramatic recovery from Kennedy authorizing invasion (5.8) to Bobby's successful secret negotiations with Dobrynin (8.4), showing how diplomacy saved the world from nuclear war.
Critics consistently praised Thirteen Days as an intelligent and gripping political thriller that effectively captures the tension of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The film builds steadily to a peak when Soviet ships turn back from the quarantine, then dips during the darkest moments when invasion seems inevitable, before recovering with the secret diplomatic resolution. Despite some criticism of Costner's accent and historical liberties, reviewers appreciated the authentic dialogue, strong performances, and the film's ability to create suspense from known historical events.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 87
Kevin Costner
Kenneth O'Donnell
Bruce Greenwood
John F. Kennedy
Steven Culp
Robert F. Kennedy
Dylan Baker
Robert McNamara
Michael Fairman
Adlai Stevenson
Henry Strozier
Dean Rusk
Frank Wood
McGeorge Bundy
Kevin Conway
Gen. Curtis LeMay
Tim Kelleher
Ted Sorensen
Len Cariou
Dean Acheson
Bill Smitrovich
Gen. Maxwell Taylor
Shawn Driscoll
U-2 Pilot
Drake Cook
Mark O'Donnell
Stephanie Romanov
Jacqueline Kennedy
Lucinda Jenney
Helen O'Donnell
Caitlin Wachs
Kathy O'Donnell
Jon Foster
Kenny O'Donnell, Jr.
Matthew Dunn
Kevin O'Donnell
Kevin O'Donnell
NPIC Photo Interpreter
Janet Coleman
Evelyn Lincoln
Crew
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