Taking on the Kennedys (1996)
One Man's Race Against a Political Dynasty.
What would it be like to run against one of the most powerful political families in America? Enter the backrooms of American politics as a doctor named Kevin Vigilante takes on the Kennedys. In his first race for public office, Kevin Vigilante challenges Ted Kennedy's youngest son, Patrick, and gets the political education of a lifetime. Dedicated to running a clean fight, Vigilante soon finds himself in the midst of a mud slinging contest. With negative ads about Vigilante filling the airwaves, and John F. Kennedy Jr. signing autographs outside polling stations, Vigilante realizes he has no chance of winning without slinging mud of his own, and proceeds to take off his gloves. Endemic of contemporary campaign politics, the sound byte takes precedence over the speech as issues are overshadowed by negative television advertisements. Taking on the Kennedys aired as a part of PBS' P.O.V. series.
Cast
- Tom Kemp - Narrator (voice)
- Kevin Vigilante - Self
- Patrick Joseph Kennedy - Self
- Ted Kennedy - Self
- John F. Kennedy, Jr. - Self
- Caroline Kennedy - Self
- Robert F. Kennedy - Self (archive footage)
Screenplay
Trailer
Taking on the Kennedys TrailerFrequently Asked Questions
- What is Taking on the Kennedys about?
- What would it be like to run against one of the most powerful political families in America? Enter the backrooms of American politics as a doctor named Kevin Vigilante takes on the Kennedys. In his first race for public office, Kevin Vigilante challenges Ted Kennedy's youngest son, Patrick, and gets the political education of a lifetime. Dedicated to running a clean fight, Vigilante soon finds himself in the midst of a mud slinging contest. With negative ads about Vigilante filling the airwaves, and John F. Kennedy Jr. signing autographs outside polling stations, Vigilante realizes he has no chance of winning without slinging mud of his own, and proceeds to take off his gloves. Endemic of contemporary campaign politics, the sound byte takes precedence over the speech as issues are overshadowed by negative television advertisements. Taking on the Kennedys aired as a part of PBS' P.O.V. series.
- Who directed Taking on the Kennedys?
- Taking on the Kennedys was directed by Joshua Seftel.
- Who stars in Taking on the Kennedys?
- Taking on the Kennedys stars Tom Kemp, Kevin Vigilante, Patrick Joseph Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, John F. Kennedy, Jr., Caroline Kennedy.
- How long is Taking on the Kennedys?
- Taking on the Kennedys has a runtime of 52m (52 minutes).
- What genre is Taking on the Kennedys?
- Taking on the Kennedys is a Documentary film.
- Where was Taking on the Kennedys produced?
- Taking on the Kennedys was produced in United States of America.