Thirteen Days poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Kevin Costner, Bruce Greenwood, Steven Culp, Dylan Baker, Michael Fairman ... see more see more... , Henry Strozier , Frank Wood , Kevin Conway , Tim Kelleher , Len Cariou , Bill Smitrovich , Dakin Matthews , Madison Mason , Christopher Lawford , Ed Lauter , Elya Baskin , Boris Krutonog , Peter White , James Karen , Tim Jerome , Olek Krupa , Lucinda Jenney , Oleg Vidov , Stephanie Romanov

Director Roger Donaldson teams up with star Kevin Costner for another political thriller (after their 1987 pairing, No Way Out), only this time with a film based on the actual events surrounding the C... read more read more...uban missile crisis of 1962, taking place during the titular thirteen days wherein the U.S. and the Soviet Union nearly engaged in full-scale nuclear war. After President John F. Kennedy (Bruce Greenwood) is shown photographs from a spy plane detailing the presence of missiles in Cuba capable of obliterating massive areas of the U.S., he must immediately decide the most effective course of action for the country. With the aid of best friend and special assistant Kenny O'Donnell (Kevin Costner) and brother Robert (Steven Culp), the President must avoid a dire chain of events that could be dictated by General Curtis LeMay (Kevin Conway), who would rather take immediate action and invade Cuba. After initial reticence about leaking the information to the nation, President Kennedy eventually tells of the conflict, leading to widespread panic and a blockade of Cuba. With the aid of Robert McNamara (Dylan Baker) and Adlai Stevenson (Michael Fairman), the leaders must find a way to alleviate the tension of the situation. Thirteen Days also features Walter Adrian as Lyndon Johnson. ~ Jason Clark, Rovi

Flixster Users

76% liked it

28,589 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

117 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 25 min.

Directed by: Roger Donaldson

Release Date: December 25, 2000

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: July 10, 2001

Stats: 1,171 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Thirteen Days Thirteen Days Bruce Greenwood in Thirteen Days
Upload a Photo | View All Thirteen Days Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (1,171)

  • LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    May 14, 2012
    LorenzoVonMatterhorn
    "If the sun comes up tomorrow, it is only because of men of good will. And that's - that's all there is between us and the devil."

    A dramatization of President Kennedy's administration's struggle to contain the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962.

    ... read more=+2 face="Century Schoolbook">REVIEW
    In the 1960's few realized how close the world came to Nuclear Winter. Even today, with all the resources at hand, fewer care who prevented the Third World War. One thing is certain, America was enormously fortunate to have had as President of the United States, John F. Kennedy (Bruce Greenwood) during those nearly fatal "Thirteen Days." As the thinking man's president, Mr. Kennedy was lucky to have in his cabinet men of intellect and reason. His main confidante was his younger brother, Robert Kennedy (Steven Culp) who proved invaluable as Attorney General. When the world learned of the Nuclear threat ninety miles away, Kennedy came to rely heavily on his political adviser Kenny O'Donnell (Kevin Costner) who displayed cautious insight and prudent judgment in critical moments which could have proved disastrous had the Joint Chiefs of Staff gotten their way.

    Further, Kennedy was definitely fortunate to have selected as his ambassador to the United Nations, Adlai Stevenson (Michael Fairman) who stood toe to toe with Russian's Valerian Zorin (Oleg Vidov) and did not back down. The film is dramatic and terrifyingly accurate with dated Black and White footage and actual verbal scripts from hidden recordings from the oval office. What we know today is; had the Administration followed the prodding of the military, they would have initiated the Third World War as the Russian military in Cuba, actually had short range Atomic warheads at their disposal. This is a frightening film for rational people.
  • jamers2011
    March 24, 2011
    jamers2011
    Great film! A movie that I've watched at school that was legit, not a lame educational movie. A very good adaptation of the drama and conflict behind the Cuban Missle Crisis. Fueled mostly by great performances and powerful dialogue, this film is a great historical drama. The emo... read moretion and intensity in the story is very believable. We truly were on the brink of war, and this film I believe captures a realistic look into what occured. I recommend this film to everyone, especially History buffs.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    October 18, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    As far as I'm concerned, this is director Roger Donaldson's greatest film. Thirteen Days is set during the two week long Cuban missile crises of October 1962. Thirteen Days is a powerful dramatic thriller about those events, that brought the world near a nuclear war. A very tens... read moree, suspenseful film, Thirteen Days is an impressive film, and we see how the American government try to handle the more than fragile situation. Because after all, this was at the high of the cold war. Director Roger Donaldson does a phenomenal job at building up the tension throughout the film. Donaldson is so good at tension building that you cannot look away from the film because you want to know how all this will end. Thirteen Days is one of the few films that I have seen that brilliantly builds up its thrills and suspense to a very good climax. The cast is well chosen and the best performances here are Kevin Costner and Bruce Greenwood.. These are the two who really deliver on screen, but theres not a single bad casting choice. Thirteen Days is one great dramatic Thriller about one of the most tense two weeks of the entire cold war. Roger Donaldson has delivered a great film thats definitely not boring, even though theres a lot of talking involved. The film will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end and is a terrific thriller supported by a great cast of actors. Thirteen Days is an excellent film that sheds light on those drastic, tense two weeks of October 1962. This is a film that very powerful and compelling, a very interesting depiction of a dark time in history.
  • imrealgod
    June 17, 2010
    imrealgod
    Would've liked it better if it was simply a dramatized version of the actual events & not over-dramatized.
  • dreamfaeries
    September 10, 2008
    dreamfaeries
    This movie surprised me. I wasn't interested in watching but somehow got wrapped into it. Not so bad.
  • Redlats
    March 30, 2008
    Redlats
    I was amazed that I had not seen this before now (2008). This falls into my realm of great movies - a thrilling, non-stop action, intelligent account of the Cuban missile crisis. I was a kid when it happened, and I had not heard many of the details, but if what the Kennedy admi... read morenistration had to go through was even half of what they showed in this movie, man are we all lucky they were there.
  • Chiefilms
    March 3, 2008
    Chiefilms
    Costner trying to put on a New England accent.
  • gor41
    January 9, 2008
    gor41
    Gripping political thriller which manages to hold you transfixed at each turn despite knowing the eventual outcome. You can't get more dramatic than the intense stress these men were under to make crucial decisions for the future of mankind on earth. Beyond scary.
  • jennifxu
    June 7, 2007
    jennifxu
    most boring movie ever.
  • mrbungle7821
    February 23, 2006
    mrbungle7821
    [font=Arial][color=darkred]"Another Kevin Costner film?! I'd rather suffer uncontrolable urination problems!," you could be saying to yourself. After Costner's recent track record of movie train wrecks, hearing that he'll have full Bostonian accent in hand seems a little nerve-ra... read morecking. But despite Costner's beantown speech '13 Days' is a real surprise in just how much tension it actually wrings from the true story of the Cuban Missile Crisis.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Though '13 Days' will suffer from the same problem 'Titanic' did, people know their history and know how it ends. Though we all know we weren't obliterated in nuclear war (At least I hope the majority of us know) '13 Days' shows us the suspense through back-door politics as a fly on the wall in the White House. The audience sees all the political wrangling and power struggles in this cat-and-mouse game that made two nations hold their breathes in a high stakes staredown. Bruce Greenwood, mainly known for beguiling Tommy Lee Jones in an assortment of flicks, plays our Commander in Cheif John F. Kennedy. Costner seems to be a presidential advisor that could easily be mistaken for JFK's imaginary friend the amount of time they spend together alone. Steven Culp plays Bobby Kennedy, and the fab threesome make up the core team that handeled this bombastic situation. Of course there are dozens of other individuals involved within varying degrees, with the military leaders wanting procedures to lead them to inevitable war with Communist Soviets.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]The warhawks reccommend a Cuban invasion whereas the option of a quarantine hangs in sight as well. Through the next trying thirteen days stress will accumulate as options become more clear as deadlines become clearer. The politcal manuevering makes for a gripping story, though a tad punched up at certain areas. It proves time and again that history makes the best stories.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Let's get down to what's on everyone's mind: how much is the suck-ratio zooming on Kevin Costner in this picture? Well, his accent is very very jarring to begin with but you kind of get used to it after ten minutes of wear and tear. Costner does an alright acting job but the real spotlight is on the Kennedy brothers. Greenwood and Culp turn in star-making performances that gives human glimpses to the already prolific Kennedys. Culp is outstanding as Bobby, showing that the superiors discount him because of his young age but that he's a shrewd and thoughtful politician. Greenwood doesn't exactly sound like JFK but he adds particular dimension to the man behind the center of the crisis.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]'13 Days' is a prime example of showing how intense and frightening fiction can be. Director Roger Donaldson uses black and white interludes for no real reason, but his final product is one of nail-bitting suspense.[/color][/font]

    [font=Arial][color=darkred]Nate's Grade: B+ [/color][/font]

View All Thirteen Days Reviews

Critic Reviews

Mick LaSalle
January 12, 2001
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Thirteen Days is a good movie about a profound moment in world history. Full Review

Eric Harrison
January 12, 2001
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

Who would've thought this nearly 40-year-old piece of history could be turned into such a riveting motion picture? Full Review

Steven Rosen
January 12, 2001
Steven Rosen, Denver Post

Thirteen Days is more suspenseful than the car crashes and breathless chases of most run-of-the-mill action movies. Full Review

Jay Boyar
January 12, 2001
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

Suspenseful, well-crafted.

Susan Stark
January 12, 2001
Susan Stark, Detroit News

Shrewd and tender in equal measure, Thirteen Days is an insider drama par excellence. Full Review

(CNN.com) Paul Clinton
January 12, 2001
(CNN.com) Paul Clinton, CNN.com

Though the outcome is a foregone conclusion, this movie still delivers a thrilling ride. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 12, 2001
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

I call the movie a thriller, even though the outcome is known, because it plays like one. Full Review

Jay Carr
January 12, 2001
Jay Carr, Boston Globe

People will be watching Thirteen Days long after journalism's junkyard dogs have gone snapping after other prey.

Geoff Pevere
January 12, 2001
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

Thirteen Days sustains a pretty good boil for a movie that's basically a series of scenes of middle-aged white guys shouting at each other. Full Review

Michael Wilmington
January 11, 2001
Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

It's a slick, efficient thriller that keeps driving forward lucidly and relentlessly.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Super Troopers
    Super Troopers (35%)
  • Middle Men
    Middle Men (100%)
  • The Sum of All Fears
    The Sum of All Fears (80%)

More Movies like Thirteen Days

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Thirteen Days : Watch Free on TV

Thirteen Days Trivia

  • What movie has these quotes: "I am the Commander-in-Chief of the United States, and I say when we go to WAR!" "Listen. You tell them those chains of command end up at one place - ME!"  Answer »
  • Name the director who links these movies? Species Cocktail Dante's Peak Cadillac Man The Worlds Fastest Indian Thirteen Days The Recruit  Answer »
  • Bruce Greenwood played JFK in what film from 2000?  Answer »
  • who played jfk's special advisor in Thirteen Days?  Answer »
More Thirteen Days Trivia

Movie Quizzes

Create a Quiz |

All Quizzes

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Thirteen Days Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Thirteen Days to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?