Review of Seven Days in May

There have seven days to figure out what will happen on Sunday, May 18? You have 118 Minutes to figure out if an military coup d'état can happen in the United States of America. Directed by John Frankenheimer known for such works as the Manchurian Candidate comes a suspense and thriller on the possibly of a government overthrow. Seven Days in May is an American political thriller novel beautiful written by Fletcher Knebel and Charles W. Bailey II which was published in 1962, during the height of the Cold War, and fears of New World Order bankers. It's been said that John F. Kennedy says it's one of his favorite book he even read and believed the scenario as described could actually occur in the United States… to the fact that it's clearly did happen. The generals at the time actually want to get into an shooting war in with the USSR during the Cuban Missile Crisis which Kennedy was against. The threat of a military coup was quite real. Many of the shots needed for the movie was approved by JFK who fear a overthrow during his own presidency. The screenplay was written by Twilight Zone, Rod Serling brings the story of a unpopular President Lyman played by Fredric March whom pacifists agenda has just made a peace treaty with the Russians to get rid of the their nuclear weapons and that of a popular, General Joint Chief of Staff James Scott played by Burt Lancaster who believes the best thing for America is not to get rid of the weapons, because he felt the Russians are untrustworthy, and doesn't want America to get attack like Pearl Harbor 1941. Between these two men, is Kirk Douglas whom plays Colonel Jiggs Casey whom side with his superior, General Scott, but stands for following the Constitution. He quickly uncovers the plot to overthrow the president, but many of the facts has been well hidden that he doesn't know if he truly wrong, or right with his decision to tell the President about it. It's a quest to get the facts straight, and derailed it as soon as possible before Sunday. The way, it's written is brilliant, as it's makes it out to be a clock timing event. Time is running out. This movie came out in 1964, and became very controversial as many view it to be a leftist movie telling Americans that those of the ring will try to overthrow the government, as some view as a saver for one-world cynic ideas. Both ideas were address in the movie, very clear and clean. In truth, it's hard to case General Scott as the villain as he believes in his heart, what he's doing is best for America. The language addressed by him, during two key scenes: the speech on TV and his meeting with the Senators were well-written to the point, that we understand why he's thinking the way he is. While many people think this might be far-fetch, in truth it did it. The basic of the plot might be taken from real life events. One must research the Business Plot of 1933, where Retired Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler claimed that wealthy businessmen were plotting to create a fascist veterans' organization and use it in a coup d'état to overthrow United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, with Butler as leader of that organization. The two characters of Casey and Scott is clearly based on him, each playing a half of him. The movie is very intelligent, as both the President and Scott's actions can lead to Marshal's law… limiting the right of the Constitution both way. The power of the military industrial complex and the vulnerability of the state to fascism during times of heightened "national security" concerns, is ever-present in American society. Watch it, it's a really good.