Seven Days in May (1964)

100% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(2,624 ratings)

Adapted by Rod Serling from the best-selling novel by Fletcher Knebel and Charles Waldo Bailey II, Seven Days in May was allegedly inspired by the far-right ramblings of one General Edwin Walker. Burt Lancaster plays General James M. Scott, who, convinced that liberal President Jordan Lyman (Fredric… More Adapted by Rod Serling from the best-selling novel by Fletcher Knebel and Charles Waldo Bailey II, Seven Days in May was allegedly inspired by the far-right ramblings of one General Edwin Walker. Burt Lancaster plays General James M. Scott, who, convinced that liberal President Jordan Lyman (Fredric March) is soft on America's enemies, plots a military takeover of the United States. Every effort made by President Lyman to find concrete evidence of General Scott's scheme is scuttled by political protocol, human error and accidental death. Ultimately, Lyman must rely upon the man who first uncovered the plot: Colonel "Jiggs" Casey (Kirk Douglas). John Frankenheimer's terse direction and Ellsworth Fredericks' stark black and white photography enhance the "docudrama" feel of Seven Days in May. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr.
Directed By: John Frankenheimer
Written By: Rod Serling
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Feb 12, 1964 Wide
On DVD: May 16, 2000

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
A strikingly dramatic, realistic and provocatively topical film.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
John Frankenheimer directed, too much in love with technique, though he ably taps the neuroticism of Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, and Fredric March.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
As dismal as is the complication that they and this picture present, the acknowledgment of its possibility and the discovery of how it might be resolved, with wisdom and fundamental courage, make this a brave and forceful film.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Frankenheimer's gripping political tale of conspiracy benefits from taut direction, good acting by an all-star cast, and excellent technical values, especially cinematography.
Christopher Lloyd, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
It's a good, engaging movie - great-looking, too, with top-notch photography and production design - but it tends to fall apart when you start kicking the tires and peek under the hood.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Frankenheimer's Washington, D.C., less baroque than in The Manchurian Candidate but just as hazardous
, Film4
Shot in stark black and white, it shows the military not as the usual buffoons, but as ruthless right-wingers with a political agenda.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Douglas Pratt, DVDLaser
Based upon a potboiling bestseller novel, Frankenheimer brings an artistic sense to the film, but he can only take it so far.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Gripping political thriller.
Derek Adams, Time Out
Highly enjoyable.
James Rocchi, Netflix
Director John Frankenheimer's 1960s political thriller still crackles and pops.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...the best conspiracy-theory movie ever made.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Lancaster is unparalleled in a rare bad guy role, helped amiably by a solid supporting staff. One of Frankenheimer's best works.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
A very good, thought-provoking film that is more related to our times than we would like.