Twilight's Last Gleaming (1977)

88% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(615 ratings)

Soured on America by his experiences as a POW in Vietnam, General Lawrence Dell (Burt Lancaster) hopes that his government will someday tell the truth about the Southeast Asian debacle, thereby allowing his country to embark upon a healing process. Regarded as a dangerous embarrassment by the… More Soured on America by his experiences as a POW in Vietnam, General Lawrence Dell (Burt Lancaster) hopes that his government will someday tell the truth about the Southeast Asian debacle, thereby allowing his country to embark upon a healing process. Regarded as a dangerous embarrassment by the higher-ups, Dell is framed on a manslaughter charge and sent to prison. Escaping with three hardened convicts (Paul Winfield, Burt Young, and William Smith), Dell takes over an SAC base, threatening to launch nine Titan missiles if his demands that top-secret Vietnam files be made public are not met. Thus, the fate of the world rests in the hands of the mentally unbalanced Dell, his former superior General MacKenzie (Richard Widmark), and U.S. president David Stevens (Charles Durning). For this picture, Edward Huebach and Ronald M. Cohen adapted Walter Wager's novel Viper Three. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Robert Aldrich
Genres: Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Feb 9, 1977 Wide
On DVD: Sep 19, 2011
Studio: Allied Artists Pictures Corporation

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Intelligent sociopolitical thriller that is effective despite being overlong, stiffly acted and executing a rather nutty plot.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
It's easier to admire Twilight for its intent and its astonishing cast than for what it actually achieves.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A far-fetched but exciting political thriller
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
This film isn't very high on realism, but it's exciting.

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Featured Audience Ratings

alan j

a bit cheesy but nonetheless has plenty of suspense..strong performances by Lancaster and cast hold your interest right up til lthe very end...a taut thriller..lots of mostly intelligent dialogue that wil ldraw you in....

Cast

            Burt Lancaster as Lawrence Dell

            Richard Widmark as Gen. Martin MacKenzie

            Charles Durning as President David Stevens

            Melvyn Douglas as Guthrie

            Paul Winfield as Powell

            Burt Young as Garvas

            Joseph Cotten as Renfrew

            Roscoe Lee Browne as Forrest

            Charles Aidman as Col. Bernstein

            Leif Erickson as CIA Director

            William Smith as Hoxey

            Bill Walker as Willard

            David Baxt as Sgt. Willard

            Glenn Beck as Lieutenant

            Ed Bishop as Maj. Fox

            Phil Brown as Rev. Cartwright

            Gary Cockrell as Capt. Jackson

            Don Fellows as Gen. Stonesifer

            Garick Hagon as Driver Alfie

            David Healy as Maj. Winters

            William Hootkins as Sgt. Fitzpatrick

            Richard Jaeckel as Capt. Stanford Towne

            Ray Jewers as Sgt. Domino

            Charles McGraw as Gen. Peter Crane

            Vera Miles as Victoria Stevens

            Lionel Murton as Col. Horne

            Gerald S. O'Loughlin as Brig. Gen. Michael O'Rourke

            Morgan Paull as 1st Lt. Louis Cannellis

            John Ratzenberger as Sgt. Kopecki

            Shane Rimmer as Col. Franklin

            Simon Scott as Phil Spencer

            Alan Moore
            
            Thomasine Heiner as Nurse Edith

            Bill Marshall as Attorney Gen. William Klinger

            Robert Vincent O'Neil as Briefing Officer

            Roy E. Glenn Jr. as White House Servant

            Weston Gavin as Lt. Wilson

            Ronald Lee as Sgt. Rappaport

            Robert MacLeod as State Trooper Chambers

            Robert Sherman as Maj. Le Beau
See full cast