JFK (1991) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Jim Garrison's investigation challenges the official assassination narrative while imposing severe personal and professional costs.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Nation in Suspicion

The film establishes the political background surrounding Kennedy's presidency and assassination. Oswald's arrest and Ruby's killing of him leave the official account surrounded by unanswered questions.

Key Events

• Eisenhower's Warning — Eisenhower warns about the military-industrial complex before Kennedy's presidency. Location: Washington, D.C.
• Kennedy's Presidency — Kennedy's administration is marked by Cuba crises before his assassination. Location: United States
• Dealey Plaza Assassination — Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald Location: Dealey Plaza, Dallas
• Oswald's Arrest — Oswald is arrested for Tippit's murder and arraigned for both killings. Characters: Lee Harvey Oswald Location: Dallas
• Ruby Kills Oswald — Ruby kills Oswald before the accused assassin can stand trial. Characters: Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald Location: Dallas

The Case Reopens

Garrison's first inquiry is closed after federal criticism, but the Warren Report prompts him to reopen the investigation. Witness testimony begins to challenge the single-assassin explanation.

Key Events

• First New Orleans Inquiry — Garrison investigates possible New Orleans links, including Ferrie. Characters: Jim Garrison, David Ferrie Location: New Orleans
• Investigation Closed — Federal criticism leads Garrison to close the initial investigation. Characters: Jim Garrison Location: New Orleans
• Warren Report Reconsidered — Garrison reopens the case after noticing alleged inaccuracies in the report. Characters: Jim Garrison Location: New Orleans
• O'Keefe's Testimony — O'Keefe describes Ferrie's alleged assassination discussion and his brief meeting with Oswald. Characters: Jim Garrison, Willie O'Keefe, David Ferrie, Lee Harvey Oswald Location: New Orleans
• Framing Theory Emerges — Garrison theorizes that Oswald was a double agent framed for the assassination. Characters: Jim Garrison, Lee Harvey Oswald Location: New Orleans

Evidence Against Certainty

Accounts of the grassy knoll and tests of the Carcano rifle strengthen Garrison's belief that Oswald could not have acted alone. Shaw becomes the suspected identity behind Clay Bertrand.

Key Events

• Hill's Grassy Knoll Account — Jean Hill's account supports a gunman firing from the grassy knoll. Characters: Jim Garrison Location: New Orleans
• Carcano Rifle Test — A test suggests Oswald was too poor a marksman for the alleged shots. Characters: Jim Garrison, Lee Harvey Oswald Location: Texas School Book Depository
• Shaw Identified — Garrison concludes that Clay Bertrand is actually Clay Shaw. Characters: Jim Garrison, Clay Shaw Location: New Orleans
• Shaw Denies Connections — Shaw denies meeting Ferrie, O'Keefe, or Oswald during Garrison's interview. Characters: Jim Garrison, Clay Shaw Location: New Orleans

The Conspiracy Closes In

Witnesses retreat, key figures die under suspicious circumstances, and Ferrie provides a final disclosure. A Washington source expands the theory into an alleged coup involving powerful institutions.

Key Events

• Witnesses Fall Silent — Witnesses become frightened, while Ferrie and Ruby die in suspicious circumstances. Characters: Jim Garrison, David Ferrie, Jack Ruby Location: New Orleans
• Ferrie's Final Disclosure — Before dying, Ferrie tells Garrison that a conspiracy killed Kennedy. Characters: Jim Garrison, David Ferrie Location: New Orleans
• Washington Briefing — A high-level Washington figure alleges deliberate security failures and a government coup. Characters: Jim Garrison Location: Washington, D.C.
• Shaw Indicted — Garrison indicts Shaw for conspiring to murder Kennedy. Characters: Jim Garrison, Clay Shaw Location: New Orleans

The Trial and Its Cost

Garrison indicts Shaw and presents a multiple-shooter theory in court. Shaw is acquitted, but Garrison's persistence restores his family's respect despite the legal defeat.

Key Events

• Team Fractures — Staff members doubt Garrison, while Broussard's concealed FBI role is exposed. Characters: Jim Garrison, Bill Broussard Location: New Orleans
• Shaw Trial Begins — Garrison presents a three-assassin, six-shot theory at Shaw's trial. Characters: Jim Garrison, Clay Shaw Location: New Orleans courtroom
• Single-Bullet Rebuttal — Garrison argues that Oswald was framed and that multiple shooters fired six shots. Characters: Jim Garrison, Clay Shaw, Lee Harvey Oswald Location: New Orleans courtroom
• Shaw Acquitted — The jury acquits Shaw after less than one hour of deliberation. Characters: Jim Garrison, Clay Shaw Location: New Orleans courtroom
• Family Respect Restored — Despite losing the case, Garrison earns his family's respect for his determination. Characters: Jim Garrison Location: New Orleans

Story Breakdown

• Political Forewarning — The opening establishes the military-industrial concern and the political context surrounding Kennedy's presidency.
  • Eisenhower's Warning — Eisenhower warns about the growing military-industrial complex in his farewell address.
  • Kennedy's Presidency — Kennedy's administration is framed by the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and escalating political tensions.
• Assassination Aftermath — The assassination, Oswald's arrest, and Ruby's intervention create the mystery that later motivates Garrison.
  • Dealey Plaza Shooting — Kennedy is assassinated in Dealey Plaza on November 22, 1963.
  • Oswald Eliminated — Oswald is arrested and then killed by Jack Ruby before the case can be fully tried.
• Garrison Reopens Case — Garrison moves from an initially closed inquiry to a renewed investigation after challenging the Warren Report.
  • Federal Rebuke — Public criticism from the federal government contributes to the closure of Garrison's first investigation.
  • Report Inaccuracies — Garrison notices alleged inaccuracies, including problems with the single-bullet theory.
• Witnesses Challenge Oswald — Testimony and rifle testing undermine the idea that Oswald was the only shooter.
  • O'Keefe Testimony — O'Keefe describes Ferrie's alleged assassination conversation and his brief meeting with Oswald.
  • Grassy Knoll Account — Jean Hill's account supports the presence of a gunman on the grassy knoll.
  • Carcano Rifle Test — A test suggests Oswald was too poor a marksman to make the alleged shots.
• Shaw Connection — Garrison identifies Shaw as the alleged Clay Bertrand and turns the investigation into a prosecution.
  • Shaw Interview — Shaw denies meeting Ferrie, O'Keefe, or Oswald.
  • Shaw Indictment — Garrison indicts Shaw for conspiring to murder Kennedy.
• Conspiracy Escalation — Deaths, frightened witnesses, and a Washington briefing broaden the alleged conspiracy beyond New Orleans.
  • Ferrie's Disclosure — Before his death, Ferrie tells Garrison that a conspiracy killed Kennedy.
  • Washington Briefing — A high-level figure alleges deliberate security failures and involvement by powerful institutions.
• Trial and Acquittal — The courtroom becomes the final test of Garrison's theory, ending in Shaw's acquittal but not in personal surrender.
  • Multiple Shooter Theory — Garrison proposes three assassins firing six shots while framing Oswald.
  • Jury Acquittal — The jury acquits Shaw after less than one hour of deliberation.
  • Family Respect — Garrison's determination earns his family's respect and repairs the personal damage caused by the investigation.

Directed by

Oliver Stone

Key Cast

• Kevin Costner — Jim Garrison
• Tommy Lee Jones — Clay Shaw
• Gary Oldman — Lee Harvey Oswald
• Kevin Bacon — Willie O'Keefe
• Michael Rooker — Bill Broussard