List of contents

List of contents 1

1. Introduction 2

2. The Hollywood Biopic 2

2.1. Genre 2

2.2. Characteristics of a biopic 3

3. JFK by Oliver Stone 4

3.1. Summary 4

3.2. General facts 5

3.3. Characteristics of JFK 5

3.3.1. Directorial characteristics 5

3.3.2. The intention 6

4. Analysis 7

4.1. First impression 7

4.2. Comparison: the film JFK and the biopic 8

4.2.1. Same characteristics 8

4.2.2. Differences 9

4.3. Conclusion 10

5. Synopsis and outlook 11

6. Bibliography 13

7. Appendix 14

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1. Introduction

This term paper preoccupies the question if the film JFK by Oliver Stone is a Hollywood

biopic.

JFK is one of the most interesting Hollywood films which never loses its actuality because

the case Kennedy is still unsolved up to now. In search of a qualified biographical film and

topic, time and again discrepancies emerge with regard to the film JFK to be a biographical

picture or not. Some sources list the film to be a biopic others do not. Because of that the

interesting and still unanswered question, if the film can be defined as a Hollywood biopic,

became the main consideration of this paper.

First of all the terms

JFK

and

the Hollywood biopic

are explained separately. The different

facts and characteristics are investigated on several levels which are direction, content and

intention. Furthermore a definition of the term genre and a summery of the film JFK are

supplemented in order to understand the different levels of investigation better. The emphasis

is on a comparison of the characteristics of the two objects and as a result follows a

conclusion.

2. The Hollywood Biopic

2.1. Genre

At first it is important to know what the term

genre

means. In the cinematic sector genre

stands for a group of films which have the same characteristics and can be categorized

through their filmic elements. These characteristics can be on geographical, chronological,

dramatical or on production technical level. It does not matter which elements they have in

common, but it is important that they resemble in at least one or more characteristics. A genre

is "a term for any group of motion picture which express similar stylistic, thematic, and

structural interests"1.

1 Frank Eugene Beaver,

Dictionary of Film Terms

, (1983), p. 142

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3

There are numerous narrative film genres: the

western film

[...], the

gangster film

,

the

musical film

, [...] `Genre′ is also used to distinguish other film classes such as

the

documentary

, the

experimental film

, and the

animated film

.2

Today there are more than 775 genres and it is very hard to differentiate them because many

directors combine several categories to achieve a lager number of viewers. The more genres

are put in one place the greater audience is addressed. That is why it is difficult to call the

biographical film an independent genre because it often crosses over between different genres.

The person, the film gives us a closer look at, is not fixed to one specific category. It can be a

political leader, a famous sport star, a criminal or a musician. Therefore a film can be a biopic

but it can also be a action or gangster film. There are a plenty of these film genres, some

belong to the classical main genres e.g. comedy, gangster film, horror film, drama, musical

film, western, but there are also so called

sub-genres

. Sub-genres are "sub-classes of the

larger film genre, with their own distinctive subject matter, style, formulas, and

iconography".3 In a motion picture it is very rarely that a biopic appears as a sole, independent

genre. Hence it follows that the biographical picture can be define as sub-genres of larger, e.g.

epic or drama films.

2.2. Characteristics of a biopic

A biopic is a filmed biography. The term derived from the words

biography

and

pictures

and it is often used as a colloquial term. The combination of both words lead to the term

biographical picture. A biopic is a film about the life of a particular, real living person (or a

group) of the past or present era with fictionalized elements. A biopic often gives statements

about American society in critical parameters.

A motion picture based on the life of a public figure, most commonly an individual struggling

to achieve goals against considerable odds or to recover from major setback [...]4

Not every biopic deals with the whole biography, in such a way, that the film starts with the

birth and ends with the death of the particular person. There are many biopics which simply

underline the major achievements in their life.

In many cases these films put an emphasis on the largest events (wartime, political or social

conditions) surrounding the person′s entire life as they rise to fame and glory.5

2 Frank Eugene Beaver,

Dictionary of Film Terms

, (1983), p. 142

3 Filmsite: genres,

http://www.filmsite.org/genres.html

, (09/01/2004), p. 1

4 Frank Eugene Beaver,

Dictionary of film Terms

, (1983). P. 34

5 Filmsite: biopics,

http://www.filmsite.org/biopics.html

, (09/01/2004), p. 1

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4

From 1930 to 1940 the biographical film was very popular in America, especially in

Hollywood. At this specific period of time many public personalities worked "on behalf of the

public good".6 Consequently Warner Brothers produced many biopics because of their

"inspirational value".7 Every famous person who is represented in a biopic has an

extraordinary personality and achieved much in his life. Therefore it is not surprising that

"common characteristics of the biographical film are heroic elements of determination and

personal courage"8 The biographical film aim to make a person more accessible to the

viewers. That means to show his lifestyle, character, achievements or defeats. The film does

not present one single sphere of life, e.g. the persons career, but it shows several different

spheres, e.g. private life, partnership or interests. These extensive impressions help the viewer

to get a better insight into the personals life and

character.

3. JFK by Oliver Stone

3.1. Summary

The film JFK by Oliver Stone deals with the description of the assassination of president

Kennedy, from the Warren- Reports point of view, and arguments which speak against it.

John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States of America, is shot dead in Dallas in

the state of Texas on November 22nd in 1963. The Warren- Commission investigates the

murder and comes prompt to the conclusion that Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey

Oswald (Gary Oldman), an individual culprit, and file away the case. Three years later the

district attorney

of New Orleans, Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner), stumbles accidentally on this affair and

notices many discrepancies and contradictions within the Warren- Report. Because of that

Garrison decides to find out the truth and reopens the case although he meets with stiff

opposition. In the course of his investigation he notices that the Warren- Commission worked

very sloppy and superficial. Furthermore he notices weighty mistakes in the presentation of

the evidences. On the one hand his conversation with his informant Mr. X (Donald

Sutherland) and when on the other hand a video recording of the deed appears it becomes

clear that there is something strange going on. Garrison is in doubts about the theory of a

6 Frank Eugene Beaver,

Dictionary of film terms

, (1983), p. 34

7 Frank Eugene Beaver,

Dictionary of film terms

, (1983), p. 34

8Frank Eugene Beaver,

Dictionary of film terms

, (1983), p. 34

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