Okay, so yesterday I decided to do something different for a change. I’ve been stuck in a bit of a rut, you know, just doing the same old things. So, I thought, why not revisit the “13 Days” movie? But not just watch it. I wanted to make it a bit more interactive, educational even.
First thing I did was dig up some questions about the movie. I found a bunch online, you know, on different websites, forums, and the like. Some were pretty basic, like “Which Presidential administration was in the middle of the crisis?” and others were a bit more in-depth, like questions about the connection between Cuba and Berlin, you know, that sort of stuff.
So, I compiled a list of these questions. I wrote them all down in my notebook. It was kind of interesting to see them all laid out like that. I had questions about the key decision-makers, their motivations, the technical aspects of the movie (like someone asking if Air Force One was actually depicted as a 747 in a close-up shot, which I thought was a bit funny), and even questions about what happened on specific dates during the crisis, like October 16, 1962.
Then came the fun part. I watched the movie again, but this time with my notebook in hand. Every time a question from my list came up, or I felt it was being addressed, I paused the movie. Yep, I became that annoying person who keeps pausing, but hey, it was just me, so no complaints, right?
I started jotting down answers, thoughts, and observations. It was like being a detective, piecing together the puzzle. For example, when they talked about avoiding attacking Cuba, I wrote down notes about the potential USSR response and how it tied to the bigger picture of the Cold War. It was fascinating to see how the movie portrayed these tense negotiations and decisions.
I also noticed things I hadn’t before. Like, the way the actors portrayed the stress and pressure these guys were under. Or how certain scenes were shot to create a sense of urgency and claustrophobia. It’s amazing what you pick up on when you’re really paying attention.
After the movie, I reviewed my notes. I had pages and pages of scribbles. Some of it was just basic answers, but some were my own reflections on the events, the characters, and the historical context. I even found myself digging deeper into some of the topics, looking up more information online to get a better understanding.
My Reflections
- It really hit me how close the world came to a nuclear war.
- I gained a new appreciation for the complexities of political decision-making.
- It was a reminder that history is not just dates and names, but real people making tough choices.
In the end, it was a really rewarding experience. It turned a simple movie night into a mini history lesson. I highly recommend trying this out. Pick a historical movie, find some questions, and dive in. You might be surprised at what you learn and discover.
By the way, I saw someone online mentioned that Theodore Sorensen, JFK’s special counsel, was asked about the historical accuracy of the film in a Newsweek interview. I’m thinking of checking that out next. Always more to learn, right?
Anyway, that’s my little adventure from yesterday. I hope you found it interesting. Let me know if you have any movie recommendations or questions of your own!
