A lawsuit has been filed by the heirs of Orville Nix, a Dallas maintenance worker who in 1963 recorded a home movie capturing the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas.
The family of Orville Nix, a witness to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, is alleging that the US government has kept crucial footage hidden for decades and is now seeking its return. If Nix’s original film resurfaces today, its significance cannot be overstated, according to CIA expert author Jefferson Morley. Recent advancements in digital image analysis technology could amplify its potential as a vital piece of evidence, especially considering the degradation commonly found in analog film generations like Nix’s.
Nix’s film, captured from Dealey Plaza, provides a clear and unparalleled view of the infamous “grassy knoll” where the presidential motorcade was ambushed on November 22, 1963. Speculation suggests that this specific location served as a strategic point for concealed snipers. In 1978, the House Select Committee on Assassinations thoroughly examined Nix’s original film and concluded that Kennedy’s assassination was likely the result of a conspiracy involving “two gunmen.”
However, technological limitations at the time cast doubt on the presence of these alleged shooters in Nix’s footage, and subsequently, the original film went missing, leaving behind only imperfect copies.
Nearly 50 years later, the Nix family remains hopeful that advanced computer image analysis of the original frames could potentially unveil hidden truths. After a previous lawsuit was dismissed in 2015, the family has returned to court with a comprehensive 52-page filing, meticulously tracing the convoluted journey of the original film since its creation.
The lawsuit exposes allegations of government mismanagement of this invaluable historical artifact, including claims of deceptive actions by officials from the National Archives and Records Administration. A Renowned photo expert, Kenneth Castleman, underscored the urgency of digitizing the deteriorating Nix film using modern techniques before it becomes irreparably damaged.
The family is seeking $29.7 million in compensatory damages and the release of the film. With time being of the essence, the release of the Nix film could potentially shed new light on the long-standing mysteries surrounding President Kennedy’s assassination.