Seven Days In May

This was a truly unique film and extremely bold for its time. Having come out at about the same time as Failsafe and Dr. Stragelove, it took things in the direction of treason and mutiny, and on the grandest of all possible scales. A pointedly political film, it targeted an issue that formed a key element in a speech by President Eisenhower who, being once the most powerful military leader in history, identified the "military / industrial complex" as having become far too powerful. While this film doesn't target the arms industry, it does target the extreme right wing elements in the military. Kirk Douglas' character represents the military ideal. While he might disagree with the policies of the President, he has the necessary strength of character and the fundamental faith in the system to do his duty and in an honorable way. Thirty years later, this film was remade as The Enemy Within, starring Forest Whitaker. It was a worthy remake, but considering the changing times, the impact was far less than the original film. With Seven Days in May, however, which takes place before the quarter of a million U.S. "technical advisors" in Vietnam made the transition to full combatants, this story is far more impactful, as distrust in the military was only in its earliest days. This is the reason why the film made such an impact at the time. The story, the acting, and the casting are as close to perfect as one might imagine. While thousands of films have been made over the years - most of which being very forgettable - Seven Days in May is a film that should not be lost in America's collective memory. From this writer's perspective, it is one of the 100 most important films ever made.

I wanted to like this movie. Rod Serling and John Frankenheimer. But it was quite tedious. Very little 'action.' And the ending is not very good. This is no 'Manchurian Candidate.'

The films of these times often lack the conviction and quality of these classics. Much better than skin, gore and silly special effects.

Frankenheimer grinds his axe with this preachy anti-American screed. Pseudo-pacifist (read appeaser) Hollywood filmmakers screeching about the Big Red Button were completely discredited by Ronald Reagan holding the line with the Soviet Union and culminating with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The story, such as it is, is well-told and holds its entertainment value, however. I have been increasingly disturbed by other iTunes reviews stating that many of the movies on iTunes are edited and incomplete. The other review stating that is the case with this film is credible as the ending seemed rushed and somewhat anticlimactic. While they turn in great performances, the complicity of screen legends such as Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster and Ava Gardner in such a distortion of truth was the largest disappointment of all.

Not the full version! Best part of movie at the end was edited and cut short. Extremely disappointed!

This takes place in the ealry 60's but could apply to our unsettled world today. The characters are all fresh and the plot keeps your attention from the very first frame. We will never see stars work together like this ever again.