Seven Days in May Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A president tries to make peace, but some generals are like, ‘Nah, we want to play war,’ so a marine has to decide if he loves his boss or his country more, in a very tense game of chess.

🍿 Seven Days in May: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Disarmament Treaty

President Jordan Lyman’s approval rating is plummeting due to his recent nuclear disarmament treaty with the Soviet Union, viewed by many as a sign of weakness. General James Mattoon Scott, the charismatic Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, vehemently opposes the treaty, fueling public dissent and positioning himself as a potential presidential candidate.

Suspicious Activities

Colonel Martin ‘Jiggs’ Casey, a Marine Corps officer and close aide to General Scott, begins noticing irregularities. These include coded messages, a secret military exercise called ‘ECOMCON,’ and General Scott’s evasive behavior. Casey’s suspicions grow, leading him to believe a military coup is being planned against President Lyman.

Informing the President

Torn between loyalty and duty, Colonel Casey approaches President Lyman with his concerns. Skeptical but cautious, the President assembles a trusted team to investigate. They uncover evidence confirming Casey’s fears: General Scott and other high-ranking officials are plotting to overthrow the government.

Gathering Evidence

President Lyman’s team races against time to gather irrefutable evidence of the coup. This involves dangerous missions, such as Senator Raymond Clark infiltrating a secret military base, and facing personal dilemmas, such as using General Scott’s past relationship with Ellie Holbrook to obtain compromising letters.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Gen. James Mattoon Scott (Burt Lancaster): The wildly popular Chairman of the Joint Chiefs who plots a military coup to overthrow the President due to disagreements over a nuclear disarmament treaty.
• Col. Martin ‘Jiggs’ Casey (Kirk Douglas): A Marine Colonel and aide to General Scott who discovers the coup plot and grapples with his loyalty before informing the President.
• President Jordan Lyman (Fredric March): The unpopular U.S. President who faces a military coup due to his support for a nuclear disarmament treaty with the Soviet Union.
• Sen. Raymond Clark (Edmond O’Brien): The heavy-drinking Senator and trusted friend of the President who is sent to investigate the secret base in El Paso.
• Eleanor Holbrook (Ava Gardner): General Scott’s former mistress who possesses compromising letters that Colonel Casey seeks to obtain.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• General James Mattoon Scott: “And if you want to talk about your oath of office, I’m here to tell you face to face, President Lyman, that you violated that oath when you stripped this country of its muscles.” – General Scott confronts President Lyman, accusing him of weakening the nation through a nuclear disarmament treaty.
• President Jordan Lyman: “The enemy is an age, a nuclear age. It happens to have killed man’s faith in his ability to influence what happens to him.” – President Lyman reflects on the anxieties of the nuclear age that contribute to the potential for extremism.
• Col. Martin ‘Jiggs’ Casey: “Do you know who Judas was?” – Casey asks General Scott, implying that Scott has betrayed his country.
• General James Mattoon Scott: “This country’s in danger of going soft, Mr. President. We need a strong hand at the helm.” – General Scott explains his justification for considering extreme measures, believing the country needs firm leadership.
• Eleanor Holbrook: “I’ll give you two things. A steak, rare, and the truth, which is very rare.” – Eleanor Holbrook makes a wry comment to Col. Casey when he asks for information about General Scott.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.2M
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Seven Days in May Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, wow, what a movie! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. The scene where Kirk Douglas is trying to convince Fredric March that Burt Lancaster is planning a coup? Incredible. I couldn’t believe how tense and real it felt. And Ava Gardner? Stunning as always. Definitely one of my favorite political thrillers ever.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of political thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in Cold War era dramas”
  • “Admirers of classic Hollywood acting”
  • “Those who enjoy suspenseful, character-driven stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Political intrigue”
  • “Themes of military coup and government overthrow”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Intense dramatic scenes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A chillingly plausible scenario brought to life by masterful performances. Frankenheimer’s direction keeps the tension high, even in dialogue-heavy scenes. A must-see for fans of political thrillers.
• The New York Times: “Seven Days in May is a well-crafted thriller that benefits greatly from its all-star cast, with standout performances from Burt Lancaster and Fredric March. While the plot may feel dated to some, the themes of power and control remain timeless.
• The Guardian: “A tense and gripping political thriller, Seven Days in May explores the fragility of democracy with a sharp script and compelling performances. It remains relevant due to its exploration of power dynamics and government integrity.

Audience Reactions

The suspenseful plot kept me hooked from beginning to end.: The film’s realistic portrayal of political intrigue and power struggles is its greatest strength.

Burt Lancaster’s performance as the conflicted general was outstanding.: The acting, especially from Lancaster, Douglas, and March, is top-notch and elevates the film.

Overall Consensus: A highly regarded political thriller with strong performances and a thought-provoking plot that still resonates today.

Awards

1. Golden Globe (Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture)- 1965

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “John Frankenheimer secured the cooperation of the Kennedy administration, allowing filming in actual White House locations, lending authenticity to the political thriller.”
• “Rod Serling, the writer, was known for his work in ‘The Twilight Zone,’ bringing a sense of paranoia and moral questioning to the script.”
• “The film was shot in black and white, a stylistic choice that heightened the tension and documentary-like feel, despite color film being readily available at the time.”
• “The story was inspired by the real-life tensions and fears surrounding nuclear disarmament during the Cold War, making it a reflection of contemporary anxieties.”
• “Burt Lancaster personally chose Kirk Douglas for the role of Colonel Jiggs Casey.”
• “The film’s underlying theme, the importance of civilian control over the military, resonated with audiences during a time of increasing military influence.”

🖥️ How to Watch Seven Days in May?

Seven Days in May is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your local listings for potential broadcast schedules. Physical copies (DVD, Blu-ray) can be found at major retailers. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Seven Days in May, you might like these similar films:

• The Manchurian Candidate (1962): Directed by John Frankenheimer and exploring themes of political manipulation and paranoia during the Cold War.
• Fail-Safe (1964): Another Cold War thriller released the same year, depicting the dangers of nuclear war and the potential for accidental catastrophe.
• All the President’s Men (1976): Focuses on political intrigue and investigative journalism uncovering a major scandal, similar to the uncovering of the coup plot.
• The Ides of March (2011): A modern political drama exploring themes of ambition, betrayal, and corruption within a presidential campaign.
• Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964): A satirical take on Cold War anxieties, exploring the potential for military and political decisions to lead to nuclear disaster.

🛒 Seven Days in May Related Products

• Seven Days in May [Blu-ray]: High-definition restoration of the classic film, featuring bonus content and interviews.
• Seven Days in May (Fletcher Knebel and Charles W. Bailey II) [Kindle Edition]: Experience the original novel that inspired the film, available for your Kindle.
• Seven Days in May Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original movie poster.
• Twilight Zone: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] (Rod Serling): Relive Rod Serling’s best of iconic anthology series.

🎧 Soundtrack

Seven Days in May features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “The Plot” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith
• “Decision” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

How to Speak So That People Want to Listen | Julian Treasure | TED

Ever feel like you’re talking and no one’s listening? Julian Treasure breaks down the secrets to speaking so people actually WANT to listen. Honestly, this video is a game-changer if you want to improve your communication skills, I think you’ll find this video insightful, and it also makes you notice how characters effectively use their words in the movie

The Perfect Push Up!

Want to learn how to do the perfect push-up? This video shows you how. This is something everyone can benefit from. I’ve been doing them wrong my whole life! You will be ripped in no time, like the actors probably were, so I think you should check this out.

How to Write a Literature Review: 3 Minute Step-by-step Guide | Scribbr 🎓

Need to write about a movie for school? This quick guide makes the task simple! I found it incredibly useful when breaking down complex ideas, so definitely give this a watch if you’re struggling with a film analysis assignment.

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