Details
Movie Description
Burt Lancaster stars as General James Scott in Frankenheimer's film of Rod Serling's adaptation of Fletcher Knebel and Charles Waldo Bailey's bestselling novel set in the early 1960s. Like much of the American public, Gen. Scott, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff is unhappy with a nuclear arms pact with the Soviet Union recently signed by President Jordan Lyman (Fredric March). But the extent of Scott's displeasure is not fully understood until his aide, Col. Martin "Jiggs" Casey (Kirk Douglas), finds some messages suggesting that the general and the Joint Chiefs have been planning a military takeover of the government at a top-secret air base in Texas. The plan is scheduled to go into effect in seven days, while the president is in sequestration during a military drill. Duly informed, the President sends Senator Raymond Clark (Edmond O'Brien), to investigate the base, and the Senator is held there against his will. In Gibraltar, presidential aide Paul Girard (Martin Balsam) obtains evidence of the coup from Admiral Paul Barnswell (John Houseman), but after the aide is killed in the crash of his return flight, the admiral denies any knowledge of an imminent military takeover. Although dialogue-heavy for a thriller, it remains an effective slice of cold war paranoia, with echoes of the Cuban missile standoff that may have been absorbed from Frankenheimer's friend, Robert F. Kennedy.
Synopsis
This melodramatic thriller focuses on a plot to topple the United States government. The plan's architect is none other than one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: the fanatical General Scott. Scott's mad obsession with, and fear of, a Soviet nuclear attack finally turns him against his own president and leads him to treason.
The Chief Executive, a low-key but highly principled man, learns of his loyal aide's treachery... and must find a way to dismantle the scheme -- in just seven days.
Film Notes
Acting debut for writer, director, and producer John Houseman.
Co-produced by Joel Productions, Inc., another Kirk Douglas vanity production company (along with Bryna); this one named after his second son, Joel.
Additional cast: Helen Kleeb and Richard Anderson.
Additional credits: John Mehl (camera operator), David Grayson (makeup artist), and Joe Edmondson (sound mixer).
Remade in 1994 as "The Enemy Within."
Copyright 1963 Joel Productions Inc., renewed 1991 Warner Bros.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Snap Case
Widescreen - Anamorphic - 1.85
Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
Dolby Digital Mono - English
Additional Release Material:
Trailers - 1.Original Theatrical Trailer
Audio Commentary - 1.John Frankenheimer - Director
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Industry Reviews
"...Engrossing....Frankenheimer lays bare the treacherous world of Washington power politics and Cold War paranoia..."
Sight and Sound - Geoffrey Macnab (05/01/2000)
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