Seven Days in May

I saw this years ago at Film Forum but didn't realize until about 20+ minutes in that I had seen it before. No fault of the movie though - I just have seen too many damn movies in my day.

First of all, I think I'm becoming completely obsessed with Burt Lancaster. He's such a badass! In this film, he plays General Scott - a general plotting a coup at the end of the week. It seems that he's pissed at the president (Frederic March) for signing a nuclear treaty with the Russkies. He is convinced that this spells an upcoming apocalypse. There are many subtle clues (including coded bets on the upcoming Preakness) and other assorted intrigue.

His trusted aide (Kirk Douglas) becomes suspicious and lets the president in on his suspicions. Things play out in a realistic and fascinating fashion even if sometimes the speeches become a little too preachy. But then again - it works in a 1964 kind of way. I highly recommend this if you haven't seen it.

Directed by John Frankenheimer
1964
TCM