Seven Days in May
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Between 1962 and 1966, U.S. movie audiences were treated to three terrific movies that were super-charged with rage, tension, and dread—three elements that were also setting fire to our country’s cultural and political landscape—from the Cold War and the assassination of JFK to the Vietnam War and civil unrest.
All three of these movies were directed by the acclaimed filmmaker John Frankenheimer and today are known as his “paranoia trilogy”. They are: The Manchurian Candidate, Seconds, and Seven Days in May.
Made in 1964, Seven Days in May is a riveting thriller, based on a novel by Fletcher Knebel and Charles Bailey. The story begins as Jordan Lyman—the President of the United States—is about to enter a nuclear disarmament pact with the Soviet Union. While Lyman is convinced that he can achieve peace between the two nations, his approval ratings plummet. Many Americans fear that the Soviets will see such a pact as a sign of weakness and attack.
And the top brass in the Pentagon agrees. Leading the charge against the president is General James Mattoon Scott. Such a great name! Scott is the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff and a fierce war hawk. He believes the nation should be arming for a nuclear showdown with the Soviets, not scaling back. To him, Lyman’s deal for peace is treasonous.
Fueled by a politically biased news media that adores him, Scott’s popularity with the public soars. His rallies have a rabid intensity to them. It’s clear his followers believe that only Scott can deliver them from anyone who disagrees with them.
Jiggs’ loyalty is put to the test when he accidentally stumbles upon evidence of what appears to be a plan to stage a coup.
Into this cauldron of tension and intrigue wanders Colonel Jiggs Casey. Casey works for General Scott and is intensely loyal to him. He sees Scott as an all-American patriot. But Jiggs’ loyalty is put to the test when he accidentally stumbles upon evidence of what appears to be a plan by General Scott to stage a coup and take control of the government; a plan set to go into motion seven days from now. When Casey’s conscience finally forces him to alert the President about the planned takeover, it becomes a race against time. Will Casey and Lyman be able to stop the unthinkable from happening?
With a juggernaut screenplay by Rod Serling, the movie stars Kirk Douglas as Jiggs Casey. Burt Lancaster gives one of his most towering performances as General Mattoon Scott. And Fredric March is terrific as President Lyman. His climactic showdown with Lancaster in the oval office is pure fireworks.
The rest of the dream cast sparkles as well, including Martin Balsam, Edmund O’Brien, George Macready and Ava Gardner.
If you don’t believe a coup could ever happen on American soil, Seven Days in May might give you second thoughts. I give it a paranoia-drenched four out of four stars.
