QWas Oswald really only 'an average shot' as was alleged in the film?
AOswald qualified as a sharpshooter in the US Marine Corps. "Sharpshooter," however, does not have the same connotation in the military world as it does in the civilian. "Sharpshooter" is the second level of proficiency attainable in marksman training. Oswald's wife Marina testified that prior to the assassination she had found her husband practicing firing the rifle he used in the assassination on the porch of their house. Oswald was dry firing, ie working the bolt without actually shooting a round, the gun for many hours. She also believes that prior to the attempt on the life of General Walker, that Oswald had been practicing firing the rifle in the woods.
QWas the photo of Oswald with a rifle and pistol fake?
AIn the movie, Stone shows the infamous 'LIFE' photo (Feb. 21, 1964) of Oswald being doctored, that is, Oswald's head being pasted on somebody else's body; another piece of mere fictitious theorizing. LIFE's artists routinely outlined parts of the photo to clarify detail, such as the rifle which accounts for why the picture might seem "doctored" in many published versions. Oswald's wife Marina has testified she took two photos, including this one. Oswald gave a copy of the photo to a friend before the Kennedy assassination and signed his name on the back. The handwriting has been examined and determined to be Oswald's. The Warren Commission investigators have one of the negatives. Experts have studied the photos and their grain structure, coming to the conclusion that the photos were not doctored in any way.
QDid Jack Ruby really have advance knowledge about Oswald?
AThe film has a scene showing a press briefing given by the Dallas police department after Oswald's arrest. Jack Ruby is in attendance there and when the spokesman identifies Oswald as having been a member of the "Free Cuba Committee", Ruby corrects him by noting that it was actually the "Fair Play for Cuba" committee. The scene implies that Ruby was there as part of the conspiracy and that he had been given information about Oswald by his "handlers". This scene is based on a real occurrence. Ruby really did attend a press briefing held by the DPD. However, this fits with Ruby's personality and history. Ruby had been a police gadfly for years and was known by many police officers. His drive to be famous led him to attend the press briefing to try and be close to the biggest story in Dallas history. Perhaps more importantly the real scene refutes the idea that Ruby had special advanced knowledge about Oswald and his biography. When the spokesman talks about the "Free Cuba Committee" several voices, not just Ruby, correct him. At that point Oswald had been under arrest and his identity known for several hours. Reporters had already dug into and publicized his background. Ruby simply learned about it from the press, same as everyone else.
Share this
