New J.F.K. Film Released

Dallas' Sixth Floor Museum Makes New Film of J.F.K. Motorcade Public

Today the public was treated to the release of a 39 second film of President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy in the Dallas Motorcade on the day of his assassination. What makes this film unique is that it is the first time the film has been seen in more than 40 years. The films release on the internet caused The Sixth Foor Museums' website to temporarily crash.

The "Jefferies Film", named after George Jefferies who made it , presents few insights into the assassination but the 8mm home movie does offer unusually close and captivating footage of a smiling and waving first lady.

"It's by far the best view of Jackie Kennedy in the motorcade that day that I've ever seen," said Gary Mack, curator of The Sixth Floor Museum.

"It's a moment in time 90 seconds or less - really, less - before the moment of the assassination."

George Jefferies, was a Dallas insurance executive at the time of the motorcade. He made a film of the parade because he admired the President.

"I wanted to go to Dealey Plaza because I knew the limousine would slow down when it turned down Houston Street and then again when it turned onto Dealey Plaza from Elm," he said.

The film follows the presidential Lincoln limousine as it comes up Main Street. Jacqueline Kennedy is seen with the president smiling behind her. The final seconds of the movie show mourners on Dealey Plaza the next day.

There are some oddities in the film. "There has been some question whether the Secret Service was doing its job that day," Mr. Mack said. "The film clearly shows agent Clint Hill, maybe fearing the crowd was getting too close, had jumped on the back of the limousine." The footage also showed that Kennedy's coat was bunched up at his neck. This should interest conspiracy theorists who have questioned why the bullet hole in his body and coat could not be aligned as expected.

After Mr. Jefferies had the film developed, "I showed it to a few people and then put it in a drawer, and frankly, I forgot all about it." He put it in a desk drawer where it stayed for over 40 years.

He mentioned its existence last year to his son-in-law, who suggested donating it to the museum.