Seven Days in May (1964)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

John Frankenheimer

Writers:

Fletcher Knebel (novel) &
Charles W. Bailey II (novel) ...

Release Date:

12 February 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller | Drama

Tagline:

"I'm suggesting Mr President, there's a military plot to take over the Government of these United States, next Sunday..."

Plot:

US military leaders plot to overthrow the President because he supports a nuclear disarmament treaty and they fear a Soviet sneak attack.

Plot Keywords:

General | U.S. President | Colonel | Cold War | Coup

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Burt Lancaster	...	Gen. James Mattoon Scott
Kirk Douglas	...	Col. Martin 'Jiggs' Casey
Fredric March	...	President Jordan Lyman
Ava Gardner	...	Eleanor Holbrook
Edmond O'Brien	...	Sen. Raymond Clark
Martin Balsam	...	Paul Girard
Andrew Duggan	...	Col. William 'Mutt' Henderson
Hugh Marlowe	...	Harold McPherson
Whit Bissell	...	Sen. Frederick Prentice
Helen Kleeb	...	Esther Townsend
George Macready	...	Christopher Todd
Richard Anderson	...	Col. Murdock
Bart Burns	...	Art Corwin

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Norway:12 (1964) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | USA:Approved (certificate #20565) | Canada:PG (video rating) | West Germany:12 (f) | Finland:K-8 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Imperial County, California, USA

Company:

Seven Arts Productions

Trivia:

Fifth of seven films that Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster made together.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Paul Girard visits Admiral Barnswell on his ship at Gibraltar, he arrives in full daylight and demands the admiral's statement immediately. When he returns to shore it is fully dark. Since his business is urgent, this must not be long after sunset, and hence in Washington it should still be afternoon. Yet at the same time, Ellie is cooking dinner there.

Quotes:

Colonel Martin "Jiggs" Casey: Yes, I know who Judas was. He was a man I worked for and admired until he disgraced the four stars on his uniform.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "What's My Line?: (1964-01-26)" (1964)

This film will give you the chills!

Although it may seem dated because of its' subject matter (it takes place during the "Cold War"), the underlying content of political back-stabbing is still relevant. In this star-studded cast, Frederic March gives an outstanding performance as "President Jordan Lyman". He shows how a great leader handles the toughest of situations. This is a powerful film with some very tense moments. It is also an excellent example of directing that makes the most of camera angles and lighting to enhance the drama. Clean transfer to DVD.