New Movie ‘Chappaquiddick’ Explores what Happened the Night Ted Kennedy Drove Off Bridge and Killed His Passenger

“Chappaquiddick” has been a political punchline for years, a word conservatives bring up to point out the hypocrisy of liberals…  a word Republicans bring up to shame the left.  Actually Chappaquiddick is the name of an island, where — almost fifty years ago, Ted Kenney (who would later become a Senator) drove his car off a bridge.  Though he survived, his passenger — Mary Jo Kopechne — died.

Now, Chappaquiddick is also the name of an upcoming movie, one that tries to explain what happened that horrific night — one that would haunt Kennedy until his death.  People reports that “The film, directed by John Curran, stars Jason Clarke as Senator Kennedy, Kate Mara as Kopechne, and Bruce Dern as Ted’s father Joe Kennedy. It’s based on the 1969 inquest into the accident.”

Here’s the chilling teaser poster:

More from People:

The result is a haunting look back into the mystery that surrounds that night when a group of six women who had worked for Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential bid, and six men, including Ted Kennedy, gathered for a party at a rented cottage on the island for a reunion party and ended in Kopechne’s death by drowning.

Kennedy, who claimed he made a wrong turn and accidentally drove off the bridge late at night, said that he tried to save Kopechne, who was trapped inside the car.

Kennedy only received a slap on the wrist for this incident and resulting death.  It’s interesting that Hollywood is taking on this true, untold story the Kennedy’s never wanted you to hear.

Watch the trailer below:

Image Credit: Screen Cap

Hat Tip: People