The Martin Film And The Pain Of The Jfk Assassination

The John Martin film of the JFK assassination, a piece of history that has been the subject of countless debates and speculations, has always been a subject of intrigue. This article aims to delve into the story of John Martin's film, scrutinizing potential avenues for alteration and providing a critical analysis of the events surrounding it.

The Tale of John Martin: A Witness to History

John Martin, an eyewitness to the JFK assassination, captured the tragic events on film. His film, which was part of the Dallas Cinema Associates (DCA) film, has been the focus of numerous conspiracy theories and investigations. Martin's film was discovered by a Life magazine representative who had been tirelessly searching for potential photographers in Dealey Plaza.

Richard Trask, in his chapter on the DCA film, provides a detailed account of how Martin's film came into the spotlight. It is unclear why Life magazine was interested in Martin's film. Trask suggests that Martin himself does not know, and provides no footnote to explain this. The film was then sent to New York City for development and review, with Martin never having seen it before sending it off to Life Magazine.

The FBI's Involvement and the Disappearance of the Original Film

In December 1979, Martin informed the FBI about his film. The FBI reviewed the developed film in New York and reported that it revealed no pertinent details which would aid the Dallas investigation. The film was then forwarded to FBI headquarters in Washington, where a copy was made, and the original film was sent back to Life on December 22nd.

This period of five days is a crucial part of the story. The FBI had possession of the film, but there is no concrete evidence to suggest that they sent the original back to Life. The film that we have now is supposed to be what they sent to Life, but we do not really know that. The FBI lost interest in the film after noting Martin's presence at the scene of the assassination.

The Mysterious Disappearance of the Original Film

The mystery deepens when we consider the fate of the original film. Martin's film was never used in the DCA print, according to Martin himself. This suggests that a significant portion of his film remains unseen, as all we have seen comes from the DCA print.

The film, which Martin kept in a safety deposit box, was seldom looked at by its owner. He had given his son's responsibility for it, and he was not sure whether the film in his safety deposit box was the original or a copy. This adds another layer of uncertainty to the story.

The Unsettling Conclusion

The story of the Martin film is riddled with inconsistencies and uncertainties. Martin never watched his own film until after the FBI had had it for five days. Life Magazine had Mark Martin's name and phone number before Martin even got home on the day of the assassination. The FBI claimed to have possessed the original for five days, made a copy, and sent the original to Life Magazine.

The DCA version of the film, the only version we have ever seen, has been edited. Martin is unsure whether the film he has in his safe deposit box is the original or a copy. There is also the intriguing possibility that he only took half a roll of film. This is a train wreck of an event, with anything at all potentially having happened with this film.

In conclusion, the story of the John Martin film is a tale of assassination, alteration, and uncertainty. The film could have been altered, and the story itself suggests that it was. The supposed original that might be in his safe deposit box or maybe not is a mystery that continues to captivate and intrigue. This is not just a tale of a film, but a tale of history, conspiracy, and the human condition.