Thirteen Days (2000)

Thirteen Days (2000), directed by Roger Donaldson, is an American historical political thriller film. In October 1962, U-2 aerial surveillance photos show the Soviet Union’s placement of intermediate-range ballistic missiles carrying nuclear weapons in Cuba. As a result, President John F. Kennedy and his team must devise a plan to prevent their activation and demonstrate that the United States will not tolerate a missile threat. The Joint Chiefs of Staff advise immediate military strikes against the missile sites followed by an invasion of Cuba. However, Kennedy hesitates as this could provoke the Soviets to retaliate by invading Berlin and potentially leading to all-out war.

Referencing The Guns of August, Kennedy draws parallels to the start of World War I where outdated tactics ultimately led to catastrophic events – this time with the added danger of nuclear weapons. It seems that war is almost inevitable. The Kennedy administration is working to resolve the situation of the missiles in Cuba while avoiding war. They decide against a blockade, which is considered an act of war, and instead opt for a publicly termed ‘quarantine’. This involves halting all ships entering Cuban waters and inspecting them for weapons headed to Cuba. The Soviet Union responds with conflicting messages. Their ships near Cuba turn back from the quarantine lines.