Political Assassinations and Their Depiction in Hollywood
It’s a chilling reality that political assassinations are not merely confined to the pages of history books. This gruesome reality was brought to the forefront most recently with the shocking assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. This tragic incident closely followed two separate attempts on the life of President-elect Donald Trump during the summer.
Trump’s life was first threatened in Butler, Pennsylvania in July when an armed assailant wielding an AK-47 was neutralized by Trump’s security detail. The second attempt took place in sunny Florida, where another potentially lethal rifle was recovered. The living suspect had a history of peculiar political and commercial activities, including a period spent volunteering in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict.
The main suspect in the Thompson assassination is a privileged young man, a tech prodigy whose bright future was abruptly snuffed out when he allegedly brandished a ghost gun in a New York hotel and took the life of Thompson.
Half a century ago, Hollywood captured the anxieties of a nation in the film “The Parallax View”. This cinematic masterpiece reflected the fears of Americans who had lived through a decade of high-profile assassinations, including those of President John Kennedy, Senator Robert Kennedy, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King. Between 1963 and 1968, these influential figures were all felled by “lone assassins”.
On the opposite side of the political spectrum, presidential candidate Governor George Wallace survived an assassination attempt but was left with debilitating injuries that forced him out of the 1972 presidential race.
It seemed a day would not pass without the news of another “lone assassin” making headlines.
During this turbulent period, Americans were often left confused and skeptical of the official narratives surrounding these events. The Warren Report, intended to put questions about JFK’s assassination to rest, only fueled further conspiracy theories. This skepticism inspired Loren Singer’s novel and Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning film, “JFK”. By 1997, the dark subject was parodied in Richard Donner’s comic thriller “Conspiracy Theory”.
Much like the classic John Frankenheimer thriller “The Manchurian Candidate”, which earned Angela Lansbury a Golden Globe and two Oscar nominations, “Parallax View” portrayed a contemporary America where a school for assassins operated unchecked. The film depicted vulnerable young men being recruited and brainwashed to carry out deadly covert missions.
Fast forward to 2024 and the same question arises – are there hidden forces directing the hands of today’s political assassins? Last year, David Fincher directed “The Killer” and this year, the TV series “The Day of the Jackal” has been critically acclaimed.
While we may not have all the answers, we have the movies and shows that explore these themes. And perhaps, if you believe in conspiracy theories, that might be the whole point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “The Parallax View” about?
The Parallax View is a film that explores the fears and anxieties of Americans who had lived through a decade of high-profile assassinations. It portrays a contemporary America where a school for assassins operated unchecked.
What is a “lone assassin”?
A “lone assassin” refers to an individual who carries out an assassination without the aid or support of any group or organization.
What is the significance of the film “The Manchurian Candidate”?
The Manchurian Candidate is a classic John Frankenheimer thriller that depicted the suspicion Americans had that their government and news media might not be fully honest with them. This film portrayed a contemporary America where a school for assassins operated unchecked.
Credit: variety.com
