Academy Commemorates JFK Anniversary w/Special Documentary Introduced By Aaron Sorkin

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences will present a special screening of the documentary "John F. Kennedy: Years of Lightning, Day of Drums," on Friday, November 22, the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination. Oscar-winning writer Aaron Sorkin will introduce the commemorative screening, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Academy's Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood.

Written, directed and scored by Bruce Herschensohn and narrated by Gregory Peck, the documentary examines Kennedy's legacy and spotlights many significant events from his presidency, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, The Bay of Pigs invasion and the launch of the Peace Corps. The film also contains rare color footage from Kennedy's funeral.

Written, directed and scored by Bruce Herschensohn and narrated by Gregory Peck, this moving documentary is filled with gripping archival footage of events from Kennedy's presidency, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, The Bay of Pigs invasion and the launch of the Peace Corps, as well as rare color footage from Kennedy's funeral.

The film was made in 1964 by the United States Information Agency for distribution overseas, but it proved to be so popular that it was finally released in U.S. theaters (through a special Act of Congress) in 1966 on the condition that the profits from its domestic exhibition would go to the new John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which was soon to be built in Washington, D.C.

Fifty years after Kennedy's death, Herschensohn's film shows the enduring legacy of this young president. As heard in the documentary, Kennedy's inaugural address, with his spirited declaration that "the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans," still holds the power to move and inspire us.