Seven Days in May (1964)

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Seven Days in May (1964) – J. Frankenheimer

Released in 1964, but taking place in the near future when a liberal US president (Fredric March) has just signed a nuclear disarmament treaty with the Soviet Union.  His approval ratings sink to 29% and he is confronted by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General James Mattoon Scott (Burt Lancaster), who believes that peace can only be attained through a strong nuclear arsenal as a deterrent.  The US election is still close to two years away, but the fiery Lancaster is giving populist/nationalist speeches and openly trashing the President; conservative TV commentators and some senators support him.  Kirk Douglas plays his loyal assistant, Colonel Jiggs Casey, who begins to suspect that Gen. Scott plans a military overthrow of the government – on the upcoming Sunday (only 4 or 5 days away).  Thus, begins a very tense thriller with clues and evidence gradually uncovered by Casey and the President’s team (played by Martin Balsam and Edmond O’Brien, among other recognisable actors).  Ava Gardner plays Scott’s ex-girlfriend who may have dirt to dish.  Will the crisis be averted?  Director John Frankenheimer (in his follow-up to masterpiece The Manchurian Candidate, 1962) keeps things moving and the actors work their magic.  An entertaining political thriller (notwithstanding its inevitable reminders about the current unfortunate state of American affairs).