'' is a political and
Charles W. Bailey . The novel was made into a cinematic
Motion Picture in
1964 , with
Screenplay by
Rod Serling and directed by
John Frankenheimer .
The novel and film tell the story of fictitious
President Of The United States Jordan Lyman (
Fredric March ). The time is May
1974 . As the story begins, Lyman faces a wave of public dissatisfaction with his decision to sign a treaty with the
Soviet Union , an agreement that will supposedly result in both nations simultaneously destroying their nuclear weapons under mutual international inspections. This move is extremely unpopular with the President's opposition and the military, who each believe the Soviets cannot be trusted.
As the debate over the treaty rages on, an alert and well-positioned and the news media, are plotting to stage a ''
Coup D'etat '' to remove President Lyman and his cabinet seven days hence.
The plot itself, called ECOMCON (for "Emergency Communications Control"), entails the seizure of the nation's
Telephone ,
Radio , and
Television network infrastructure by a secret
Army Combat Unit created and controlled by Scott's conspiracy and based at
Fort Bliss ,
Texas . Once this is done, General Scott and his co-conspirators will control the nation's communications assets; then, from their headquarters within a vast underground nuclear shelter called "Mount Thunder" (based on the actual
Alternate Seat Of Government maintained by the U.S. at
Mount Weather in
Berryville ,
Virginia ), the conspirators will use the power of the media and the military to prevent the implementation of the treaty.
Although personally opposed to President Lyman and to the treaty, Casey is appalled by the existence of this unconstitutional cabal and brings his findings to Lyman and his inner circle. As the countdown to takeover begins, both sides maneuver behind the scenes: Casey is sent by Lyman to
New York to ferret out secrets that can be used against Scott, forcing Casey to cruelly deceive the general's former mistress, the vulnerable and winning Ellie Holbrook (
Ava Gardner ). Meanwhile, Scott and the conspirators take action against Lyman's closest advisors, the aging and
Alcoholic Georgia Senator Raymond Clark (
Edmond O'Brien ) and earnest White House aide Paul Girard (
Martin Balsam ), as they race against time to block the ECOMCON plot.
As events reach their climax, Lyman confronts Scott in the Oval Office; Clark and Girard each find that their pursuit of truth has led them into deadly danger; and Casey must decide between his newborn love for Ellie Holbrook and his oath to protect and preserve the
United States Constitution .
Actor
John Houseman (playing the uncredited role of ECOMCON conspirator Admiral Farley Barnswell) debuts in the film, and a young
Richard Anderson , better known as Oscar Goldman from the
1970s ABC-TV hit series
The Six Million Dollar Man , makes an early screen appearance as well as Pentagon aide Colonel Murdock.
John Frankenheimer directed the film, which garnered several prestigious awards, including the
Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for O'Brien and the Best Art Direction-Set Decoration/Black-and-White
Oscar nomination for Cary Odell and Edward G. Boyle.
Edmond O'Brien also won a
Golden Globe award for his performance in the film.
The novel states that the story is set in May 1974. By coincidence, the year 1974 did indeed see the
Ouster Of A President Of The United States , though under very different circumstances.
HBO 's ''
The EnemyWithin '' (1994) loosely resembles ''Seven Days in May.''
