Does Oliver Stone Know More About Fletcher Prouty's Role in the JFK Assassination Than He Lets On?

[Keyvan Shahrdar]

Acclaimed filmmaker Oliver Stone is no stranger to controversy, particularly when it comes to his 1991 film "JFK," which delves into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The film takes a critical look at the official narrative of the Warren Commission and instead posits a complex conspiracy involving several elements of the U.S. government.

Key to Stone's interpretation is the character "Mr. X," portrayed by Donald Sutherland. This character is largely based on L. Fletcher Prouty, a former U.S. Air Force Colonel and Chief of Special Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff under JFK. Prouty was a well-known critic of the Warren Commission's conclusions and had intimate knowledge of U.S. covert operations during the time of JFK's presidency.

Given his direct involvement in U.S. Special Operations and his outspoken criticism of the official explanation, it's reasonable to ask: Did Prouty share more with Stone about the JFK assassination than is commonly known?

Oliver Stone's portrayal of the "Mr. X" character and the information conveyed in their pivotal conversation is intriguing and incendiary. It feeds directly into the film's conspiracy narrative, with "Mr. X" effectively serving as the mouthpiece for the plot. The character asserts that JFK's assassination was a coup d'etat carried out by the military-industrial complex, a notion that Prouty himself suggested in his writings and interviews.

So, did Fletcher Prouty reveal more to Oliver Stone? Did he admit to having a direct involvement in the JFK assassination that has not yet been disclosed to the general public? While there's no concrete evidence to suggest such a revelation, the very nature of covert operations and intelligence work leaves room for speculation.

Given the deeply held secrets, the opaque nature of intelligence work, and the high stakes surrounding JFK's assassination, it's entirely possible that there is more to Prouty's story than meets the eye. Stone, who spent extensive time with Prouty while preparing for "JFK," may well hold knowledge that he has not publicly shared. Whether such information will ever come to light, however, remains to be seen. Until then, the speculation will continue, adding yet another layer of intrigue to the enduring mystery of JFK's untimely death.

[Allen Lowe]

perfect topic: No proof, no facts, no real info. Stone "may well hold knowledge." Sure, and so may 1,000 other people who may still be alive from that era.

[James DiEugenio]

Nice one Allen:👋

What is this guy up to with two threads on this now?

[Paul Brancato]

Keyvan - I’ve been thinking a lot about Prouty recently, but it hadn’t occurred to me that Oliver Stone might know something about Prouty’s possible role in the assassination. It was probably you that suggested we look at Prouty as having had an undisclosed role. That made me wonder if his story is a ‘limited hangout’. And since I very much suspect military involvement it would make sense that Prouty, chief of covert operations for the jcs would know something. I remember my impression of Secret Team. Unlike Daniel Sheehan’s version, which was extremely interesting, Prouty’s book struck me as a nothing burger. His latter day connections do make me wonder about his loyalties. Was it Michael Griffith that just wouldn’t quit? Maybe we should revisit Prouty. Maybe we should view his alibi as suspicious, rather than as the conspirators making sure he wasn’t in town. Casting aspersions on Lansdale, who he identifies as being at Dealey plaza. If he wasn’t operational, why was he there? It’s kind of a beautiful theory, the man hiding in plain sight. As for Oliver Stone, he could be asked this question. My gut says the answer is no. But I’m looking more closely at Prouty now.

[James DiEugenio]

For what Paul?

How many people have written as many interesting essays on the shadow government as he did?

He was blowing the whistle on himself with those?

Have you read those essays?  Len Osanic has some of those on his site.

Prouty also appeared in an MLK special saying it had all the earmarks of a covert op, pointing to the changing room for King as a giveaway.

I disagree with you about The Secret Team, just look at how he blew up McCord in that book.  Which is why McCord hated his guts until the day he died.

I think Keyvan has been playing scrabble by himself too long.

He could not recall who Claudia Furiati was.

And his insinuation about Oliver is right out of The Twilight Zone.

I mean I used to say this about Tommy Graves.  If you do not have anything to say, then just be quiet.

Edited May 19, 2023 by James DiEugenio

[B. A. Copeland]

I think it is very relevant and important to note Stone’s more relatively recent thinking on Prouty and in particular Prouty’s beliefs about Lansdale:

At best, this seems to be critical and in line with the evidence today. I’m certainly willing to be educated.

Edited May 19, 2023 by B. A. Copeland

[Keyvan Shahrdar]

1 hour ago, James DiEugenio said:

For what Paul?

How many people have written as many interesting essays on the shadow government as he did?

He was blowing the whistle on himself with those?

Have you read those essays?  Len Osanic has some of those on his site.

Prouty also appeared in an MLK special saying it had all the earmarks of a covert op, pointing to the changing room for King as a giveaway.

I disagree with you about The Secret Team, just look at how he blew up McCord in that book.  Which is why McCord hated his guts until the day he died.

I think Keyvan has been playing scrabble by himself too long.

He could not recall who Claudia Furiati was.

And his insinuation about Oliver is right out of The Twilight Zone.

I mean I used to say this about Tommy Graves.  If you do not have anything to say, then just be quiet.

Hey James,

It seems my secret is out - when I'm not waist-deep in archives and dissecting the minutiae of the JFK assassination, I'm indeed honing my wordsmith skills in a hot game of solo Scrabble. But doesn't everyone enjoy a good 'quixotic' or 'zymurgy' play now and then?

Onto more serious matters. I appreciate your thoughts on L. Fletcher Prouty, but there's an aspect here that I find too tantalizing to overlook. It's undeniable that Prouty was well entrenched within the military apparatus as a U.S. Air Force Colonel and Chief of Special Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff under JFK. His professional proximity to General Edward Lansdale is also beyond dispute.

Yet, during a period of escalating global tension with events like the growing conflict in Vietnam and mounting pressure with the USSR, Prouty was given an odd assignment. He was sent to the South Pole as a military escort officer from November 10th to 23rd, 1963. It seems rather strange that a man of his rank and specific expertise would be dispatched to such a remote location while major international issues were unfolding. Was it a mere coincidence that Lansdale, who had the authority to assign Prouty, sent him to the South Pole at that particular time?

Prouty’s knowledge extended to his recognition of Lansdale in the photograph with the tramps, suggesting the presence of a potential hit team. Furthermore, he was able to identify Conein in another photograph from Dealey Plaza.

Are we, as discerning individuals, supposed to believe that Prouty, with his deep-rooted connections and extensive knowledge, was oblivious about the impending assassination? Is it not a tad too convenient to swallow the narrative that he was handily "out of the loop"?

James, I wonder what Oliver Stone’s take on this would be. Does he suspect that Prouty could have had a role in the assassination, possibly providing Lansdale with crucial intel on the hitmen, Oswald, or any other facet of the operation? It would be enlightening to learn your thoughts, and even more so, Oliver's insights on this matter.

Anticipating your response,

Keyvan

[Michael Griffith]

14 hours ago, Keyvan Shahrdar said:

Acclaimed filmmaker Oliver Stone is no stranger to controversy, particularly when it comes to his 1991 film "JFK," which delves into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The film takes a critical look at the official narrative of the Warren Commission and instead posits a complex conspiracy involving several elements of the U.S. government.

Key to Stone's interpretation is the character "Mr. X," portrayed by Donald Sutherland. This character is largely based on L. Fletcher Prouty, a former U.S. Air Force Colonel and Chief of Special Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff under JFK. Prouty was a well-known critic of the Warren Commission's conclusions and had intimate knowledge of U.S. covert operations during the time of JFK's presidency.

Given his direct involvement in U.S. Special Operations and his outspoken criticism of the official explanation, it's reasonable to ask: Did Prouty share more with Stone about the JFK assassination than is commonly known?

Oliver Stone's portrayal of the "Mr. X" character and the information conveyed in their pivotal conversation is intriguing and incendiary. It feeds directly into the film's conspiracy narrative, with "Mr. X" effectively serving as the mouthpiece for the plot. The character asserts that JFK's assassination was a coup d'etat carried out by the military-industrial complex, a notion that Prouty himself suggested in his writings and interviews.

So, did Fletcher Prouty reveal more to Oliver Stone? Did he admit to having a direct involvement in the JFK assassination that has not yet been disclosed to the general public? While there's no concrete evidence to suggest such a revelation, the very nature of covert operations and intelligence work leaves room for speculation.

Given the deeply held secrets, the opaque nature of intelligence work, and the high stakes surrounding JFK's assassination, it's entirely possible that there is more to Prouty's story than meets the eye. Stone, who spent extensive time with Prouty while preparing for "JFK," may well hold knowledge that he has not publicly shared. Whether such information will ever come to light, however, remains to be seen. Until then, the speculation will continue, adding yet another layer of intrigue to the enduring mystery of JFK's untimely death.

Why do we need another thread on this topic?