We are announcing the start of a publication of a study by the Forum on Open Access to Government Records, comparing various versions of the Zapruder Film frames that have been released over the decades. This study sheds light on the mysteries surrounding the variations in quality, color, and resolution among different releases of the frames. It also raises significant questions about access to historical records and the continuing secrecy surrounding a film that is now over 60 years old.
One of the focal points of our study is Frame 188, a frame that the National Archives has made available to FOIA requestors. Our analysis reveals striking differences between versions of this frame, including color discrepancies, resolution inconsistencies, and the curious omission of sprocket holes in some versions. These findings call into question the choices made by both the Warren Commission and later custodians of the film in how this critical historical evidence was presented to the public.
Challenges to Access: Copyright Claims and FOIA Roadblocks
Despite the historical importance of the Zapruder Film, access to its frames remains limited. Both the National Archives and the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas assert that copyright restrictions block FOIA requests for many of the frames. This policy is perplexing given that a 1968 court ruling held that reproducing the Zapruder Film for purposes such as writing a book constituted fair use.
Why is there continued secrecy surrounding photos that are more than six decades old? Why are researchers and the public denied access to color versions of frames that were published in low-quality black and white in the Warren Commission Report? These unresolved questions underscore the importance of transparency and open access to historical government records.
Explore the Evidence: Compare Frame 188
We invite you to explore and compare five different versions of Frame 188 from the Zapruder Film. This frame, designated as CE396 and CE497 in the Warren Commission exhibits, highlights the puzzling decisions made in presenting the film’s content to the public. Notably, the Warren Commission chose to publish a lower-quality black-and-white version of Frame 188, despite possessing higher-resolution and color versions.
Click here to view our first interactive comparison of five Frame 188 versions and dive into the differences in color tones, resolution, and overall quality among the versions. This analysis brings to light significant discrepancies, such as the altered appearance of foliage and the loss of detail that cannot simply be attributed to the copying process.
The Larger Questions
The history of the Zapruder Film is fraught with questions:
- Why did the Warren Commission and Life Magazine release low-quality versions when higher-quality originals were available?
- Why has the National Archives released some frames under FOIA while withholding others?
- What is the justification for restricting access to this pivotal piece of historical evidence, especially when courts have previously ruled its reproduction to be fair use?
The answers to these questions remain elusive, but our study aims to bring clarity to this murky issue while advocating for greater transparency in public records.
This study is a call to action for historians, researchers, and advocates of open government to push for the release of all Zapruder Film frames in their highest available quality. Access to these records is vital for understanding one of the most scrutinized events in American history.
Explore the study and join the conversation about why transparency matters for understanding our past.
Leave a Reply