John Frankenheimer - Seven Days in May (1964)

An unpopular U.S. President manages to get a nuclear disarmament treaty through the Senate, but finds that the nation is turning against him. Jiggs Casey, a Marine Colonel, finds evidence that General Scott, the wildly popular head of the Joint Chiefs and certain Presidential Candidate in 2 years is not planning to wait. Casey goes to the president with the information and a web of intrigue begins with each side unsure of who can be trusted.

La firma de un tratado antinuclear con los soviéticos agita las calmadas aguas de Washington, enfureciendo a los grupos conservadores y la élite militar. La democracia más antigua de mundo puede estar en peligro de extinción.

En 1980, les présidents des Etats-Unis et de l'URSS décident la fin de la guerre froide, mais un général et le lobby de l'armement tentent de monter un coup d'Etat.




It is quite interesting going back and watching a film such as Seven Days In May. As the director himself has stated, this is a movie that could not be made today for several reasons. First of all, in this age of lightning fast media, such a military coup would be near impossible to mount, much less carry out. Secondly, and more importantly, the faith in America's politicians is so low that Fredric's March's speeches about honor would be held in such low regard as to make them laughable. The man would either be ridiculed or impeached for seeming too naïve.




Beside these caveats, it is remarkable how well Seven Days in May holds up today. The film crackles with energy and tension. Frankenheimer's style of direction is perfect for this film, from the deep focus, wide-angle shots to the low camera angles that heighten impact, the film is a testament to the abilities of this great filmmaker. As effective as Frankenheimer's work behind the camera may be, it is Serling's terse, taunt dialogue that lets the film soar. Characters sound like real people, not mouthpieces, and everyone's motivations and reasons for action are explored. There are no cardboard cutouts here. For those of you out there who only associate Serling with "The Twilight Zone," well, you are advised to watch this film and see what a master can really do. Taken out of context and put into today's cynical, faster than lightning media, many of the speeches will seem dated, yet they ring with a core belief in the American system of government and true sense of honor and dignity.




It is rare when a film can be thrilling without being action packed or full of gunfire and quippy one-liners. Seven Days in May is indeed one of those rare films. It thrills with words, execution and ideas. The movie has great performances from Douglas and Lancaster, and it's a great example of what real star power is all about. The movie moves with a swiftness and grace that is a testament to the skill of all involved and it's a film that really deserves the moniker "classic."




En un mundo polarizado en dos grandes bloques cada gesto de acercamiento es una muestra de fragilidad para quienes quieren alimentar el autoritarismo como opción política. Siete Dias de Mayo nos enseña qué estrecha es la línea que separa la democracia del dogamatismo y cuán larga puede ser la sombra del fascismo.

Fankenhemier nos alerta de que la supuesta seguridad de la sociedad occidental es una quimera. Está visión deseperanzada parece un continuo en la obra del director, que también desarrollaría más adelante con El mensajero del Miedo y Plan Diabólico. En Siete Días de Mayo la amenza se cierne sobre los cimientos del sistema y el bien más preciado de los norteamericanos: su Constitución de 1776.

Obtuvo dos nominaciones al Oscar: Edmond O’Brien para mejor actor de reparto y mejor dirección artística en blanco y negro. Recomendable para los que creen que la democracia es el Shangri-La.

Script/Guión: Rod Serling (novel by Charles W. Bailey II & Fletcher Knebel)
Music/Sonido: Jerry Goldsmith
Cinematography/Fotografía: Ellsworth Fredericks
Cast/Reparto: Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, Fredric March, Ava Gardner, Edmond O'Brien, Richard Anderson, Malcolm Atterbury, Martin Balsam, Whit Bissell, Bart Burns, Andrew Duggan, John Houseman, Rodolfo Hoyos, Clegg Hoyt, Helen Kleeb, John Larkin, George Macready, Hugh Marlowe, Jack Mullaney