Watch One Thousand Pictures: R.F.K.'s Last Journey

One Thousand Pictures: R.F.K.'s Last Journey is a 2010 documentary film that tells the story of Robert F. Kennedy's final journey following his assassination in 1968. Directed by Jennifer Stoddart, the film features a collection of never-before-seen photographs taken by Kennedy's personal photographer, Paul Fusco, during the train ride from New York to Washington, D.C., where Kennedy was to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

The film begins with a brief overview of Kennedy's life and political career before delving into the events leading up to his assassination. After Kennedy was shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles on June 5, 1968, he was flown to New York for his funeral services. Then, his body was placed on a train for a final journey to Washington, D.C. Fusco, who was one of the photographers assigned to document the funeral train, took a series of powerful and poignant photographs that captured the grief and sorrow of the nation.

One Thousand Pictures tells the story of this journey through Fusco's photographs, which are accompanied by interviews with people who witnessed the train's passage, including photographers, journalists, family members, and ordinary citizens. The film offers a rare glimpse into the atmosphere of the time and the emotions of the people who were caught up in the tragedy of Kennedy's death.

As the train made its way from New York to Washington, it passed through numerous towns and cities, where thousands of people had gathered to pay their respects to Kennedy. The film shows footage of crowds lining the tracks, waving flags and weeping as the train passed by. One of the most striking images in the film is a close-up of a young boy, his face twisted in grief, as the train speeds past.

Interspersed with these scenes of public mourning are shots of the Kennedy family onboard the train, visibly distraught and grieving. Jacqueline Kennedy, dressed in black, is seen holding the hand of her son, John Jr., while other family members look on. These intimate moments offer a glimpse into the personal grief of the Kennedy family and remind viewers of the human toll of political violence.

One Thousand Pictures also highlights the role of Paul Fusco as a witness to history. Fusco's photographs capture moments of raw emotion and reveal the impact of Kennedy's death on the nation. The film features interviews with Fusco himself, who describes his experiences taking the photographs and reflects on the significance of the images today.

In addition to the photographs and interviews with witnesses, the film also includes a voiceover narration that contextualizes the events of the time. The narration draws attention to the social and political climate of the late 1960s, which was marked by civil rights protests, Vietnam War protests, and growing tensions between different segments of American society. This context helps to situate Kennedy's death as a pivotal moment in American history and emphasizes the significance of his legacy.

Overall, One Thousand Pictures: R.F.K.'s Last Journey is a moving and thought-provoking film that uses photographs to tell the story of a tragic moment in American history. Through Fusco's images and the testimony of witnesses, the film offers a powerful reminder of the impact of political violence and the enduring legacy of Robert F. Kennedy.

One Thousand Pictures: R.F.K.'s Last Journey is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8.