Watch Truth Is the Only Client: The Official Investigation of the Murder of John F. Kennedy

Truth Is the Only Client: The Official Investigation of the Murder of John F. Kennedy is a gripping documentary film that delves into the labyrinthine investigation surrounding one of the most shocking and significant events of the 20th century—the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The film was released in 2019 and is a meticulous examination of the evidence and testimonies that were sifted through by the Warren Commission, the body tasked with uncovering the truth behind the President's murder in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

Directed by Todd Kwait and Rob Stegman, the documentary is a densely packed exploration of both the intricate details and the broad implications of the investigation. Much more than a simple recapitulation of well-trodden conspiracy theories, the film is an earnest inquiry into the veracity of the official account as laid out in the Warren Report, which named Lee Harvey Oswald as the lone assassin.

Rather than sensationalizing the topic, Truth Is the Only Client approaches its subject with solemn respect and an academic rigor that befits the gravity of its subject matter. Through compelling interviews with a multitude of figures—including experts, witnesses, and individuals who were involved directly with the Commission’s work—the film constructs a multi-faceted narrative about the circumstances surrounding Kennedy's death.

Painstakingly researched, the documentary draws from thousands of documents, photographs, and pieces of evidence, many of which were kept from the public for decades. This trove of information serves not only to base the film in factual analysis but also to provide viewers with insight into the methodology of the Warren Commission itself. As the film progresses, audiences are taken on a step-by-step journey through the Commission's investigation, encountering along the way the challenges, controversies, and complexities that the Commission's members faced.

An aspect that is heavily emphasized in the documentary is the unprecedented amount of pressure that the investigators worked under. The filmmakers remind viewers of the historical context: the United States was in a state of deep mourning and anxiety, fraught with Cold War tensions, and there was an immense public demand for answers. The integrity of the investigation was at stake, as well as the country’s need for closure and a narrative that could make sense of an almost unbelievable national tragedy.

Throughout the running time, the film raises crucial questions about the investigation's processes and outcomes. For instance, it considers whether the Commission had preconceived conclusions or biases, how it handled conflicting testimonies and evidence, and what impact political and social factors of the time had on the work produced. The film neither dogmatically accepts the Commission’s findings nor discounts them out of hand; instead, it gives viewers the context and information necessary to consider the investigation's thoroughness and fairness.

In providing a forum for differing opinions and perspectives, Truth Is the Only Client allows for a nuanced understanding of the events that unfolded. Experts ranging from forensic scientists to historians, intelligence agents to legal scholars, contribute their knowledge, and sometimes their personal recollections, to create a rich tapestry of insights. Furthermore, the filmmakers include interviews with surviving members of the Commission and those who worked closely on the case, lending a rare personal dimension to the narrative.

Visually, the documentary presents haunting stills, newsreel footage, and reconstructions of key events that immerse the viewer in the period's atmosphere. The film makes use of the iconic Zapruder film—the most complete visual record of the assassination—as a critical piece of evidence, analyzing its contents and the conclusions that have been drawn from it. The presentation of such iconic material is treated respectfully and is woven into the film in a manner that enhances understanding without indulging in morbidity.

The film's narrative structure is both chronological and thematic, enabling audiences to grasp the timeline of events while also diving deep into specific elements such as the infamous “magic bullet theory,” the potential involvement of organized crime, and Oswald's murky background. These and other threads are investigated with a detail-oriented focus, mirroring the micro and macro levels on which the Warren Commission operated.

Truth Is the Only Client does not claim to provide simple answers to the questions surrounding Kennedy's assassination. Rather, it offers a comprehensive look at the official investigation, inviting viewers to assess the evidence and draw conclusions based on the information presented. It serves as a compelling documentary for history buffs, conspiracy enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the quest for truth amid the fog of uncertainty.

Truth Is the Only Client: The Official Investigation of the Murder of John F. Kennedy is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours and 21 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1.