Dallas is the city where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963.

The film JFK (1991), directed by Oliver Stone, reinterprets this historical event and created a huge buzz upon its release.

When I first saw JFK, my first thought was, "This is not just a movie, but a huge question."

How many shots were fired? Was there really only one shooter? Why do so many people still talk about this event?

Rather than providing answers, the film constantly prompts the audience to doubt and think.

In JFK, released in 1991, Kevin Costner plays New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison, who does not accept the official investigation results and continues his own investigation. The film seamlessly blends actual archival footage with dramatization, creating an immersive experience akin to watching a documentary. Despite its lengthy runtime of over three hours, it rarely feels boring.

Of course, there are important points to remember when watching this film. While it is based on actual historical events, the director's interpretation and dramatic direction are significant.

Since it presents a perspective different from the official conclusion of the Warren Commission, it is more appropriate to view it as a hypothesis and a problem rather than a historical fact. Nevertheless, the shock the film delivered to American society was immense. Following its release, demands for the disclosure of Kennedy assassination-related materials increased, leading to the government releasing additional records.

After watching this film, your perspective on the city of Dallas will completely change.

Previously, I only knew it as Texas's economic center, a cowboy culture hub, and a sports city, but after watching the film, Dealey Plaza naturally comes to mind. It is astonishing that the roads and buildings featured in the film still remain almost intact today.

Visiting Dallas gives you a strange feeling as the scenes from the film overlap with reality. You can walk around Elm Street, where President Kennedy's car passed, the Texas School Book Depository, known as the shooting location, and the space that now operates as a sixth-floor museum. The museum calmly exhibits photographs, news footage, and evidence from that time, providing a much deeper understanding for those who have seen the film. Standing at the window and looking down at Dealey Plaza can evoke a scene from the movie.

The performances of the actors are also impressive. Kevin Costner effectively portrays the role of a principled prosecutor, while the supporting cast, including Tommy Lee Jones, Gary Oldman, Kevin Bacon, and Donald Sutherland, leave a strong impression despite their brief appearances. In particular, the courtroom scenes in the latter part of the film are still quite tense even today.

The visual aesthetics and editing are remarkable. The rapid intercutting of black-and-white footage, actual news film, and color movie scenes was an innovative attempt for its time. Even now, it feels modern and resembles the prototype of contemporary political thrillers.

JFK is not a film that definitively identifies the culprit. Instead, it continuously poses the question, "What should we believe in history?" If after watching the film you find yourself searching the internet, watching related documentaries, and ultimately wanting to visit Dallas, then the director's intention has succeeded.

If you have an interest in modern American history, this is a must-see film. And if you ever visit Dallas, I recommend exploring Dealey Plaza and the sixth-floor museum together. The moment you encounter scenes from the film in real space, the tension and historical weight felt on the screen will resonate even more vividly.