Seven Days in May (1964)
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100% of critics liked it
(19 reviews) -
86% of users liked it
(2,750 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
- Directed By
- John Frankenheimer
- Written By
- Rod Serling
- Genres
- Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Feb 12, 1964 Wide
- Studio
- WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
A strikingly dramatic, realistic and provocatively topical film.
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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.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Highly enjoyable.
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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.
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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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Burt Lancaster
as Gen. James M. Scott
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Kirk Douglas
as Col. Martin "Jiggs" Casey
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Fredric March
as President Jordan Lyman
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Ava Gardner
as Eleanor Holbrook
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Edmond O'Brien
as Sen. Raymond Clark
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Martin Balsam
as Paul Girard
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George Macready
as Christopher Todd
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Whit Bissell
as Sen. Prentice
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Hugh Marlowe
as Harold McPherson
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Bart Burns
as Arthur Corwin
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Richard Anderson
as Col. Murdock
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Jack Mullaney
as Lieutenant Hough
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Andrew Duggan
as Col. "Mutt" Henderson
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John Larkin
as Col. Broderick
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Malcolm Atterbury
as White House Physician
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Helen Kleeb
as Esther Townsend
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John Houseman
as Adm. Barnswell
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Colette Jackson
as Bar Girl
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Victor Buono
as Bit
- Rodolfo Hoyos Jr.
- Clegg Hoyt
- Fredd Wayne
- Leonard Nimoy
