Seven Days in May (1964)

Kirk Douglas plays an advisor who helps the US President uncover evidence of a military takeover of the government from within.

Douglas' direct commander is played by Burt Lancaster, whom the President doesn't trust.

Burt is really unlikable in this film.

Ava Gardner has a small part as Burt's former lover who might hold some secrets to help uncover the plot.

Frederic March plays the President, and he makes a really good one, too; I wished his character was our President today.

It's a really good fictional thriller (though based on some real events). I really liked it. Directed by John Frankenheimer (also directed The Manchurian Candidate).

According to the history blog Boundary Stones, US President John F. Kennedy read and enjoyed the original novel which this film is based, and wanted to see a film made of it. Frankenheimer shot on location in Washington DC, and had the approval of the President, who unfortunately did not live to see the film.

The film was released a few months after President Kennedy's assassination. For audiences at that time, it must have a bit frightening to see such a politically-charged film so soon afterward.

Jacqueline of Another Old Movie Blog discussed this film in an excellent 2016 post here, noting how it remains relevant today.

Bill Crider also wrote about this movie, having remembered the original novel of which it was based, and another good post about this film from Movie Magg.

Z (1969), State of Siege (1971), and The Confession (1970) by Costa-Gavras

This past summer I caught up with three excellent political thrillers directed by Costa-Gavras. All of them I highly recommend. They are among some of the best films I've seen this year or any year.

The first movie is Z from 1969. I remember watching this years ago when I was in high school but I was too young to understand what what going on. Now that I am older it makes so much more sense and it is very relevant today as it was then. It's called "Z" because Z represents the idealism and events surrounding the character portrayed by Yves Montand, a prominent peace activist beloved by all who oppose the radical martial law of the society. Those in the military and government want him and his followers silenced and/or killed. Early on in the film, Z is mortally wounded, but we - the audience -don't know how exactly, because the government spins the incident as "an accident". The mystery unfolds as the film progresses, but it's more than a mystery. It's an exploration into how various people and groups react and overreact in the aftermath of a crisis, and how so much is covered up by the government and the media. It's hard to describe the rest because there is so much going on with so many interesting characters, suspects, and twists. One of the most interesting characters to watch is the young lawyer assigned to investigate the case played by Jean-Louis Trintignant. Once you see this film you will not soon forget it. Also starring Irene Pappas. 2 Oscar wins: Best Foreign Language Film, Best Film Editing. Nominated for Best Picture and Director. Read Roger Ebert's 4-Star review: http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/z-1969

Another blog post about this movie from Michael's Movie Palace here ->
50th anniversary tribute from Silver Screen Modes.

The next movie is State of Siege from 1971, which is just as good if not better than Z. Mr Montand is in the film again, this time playing an American ambassador in South America who has been kidnapped by a left-wing militant organization, something of a young person's movement against government corruption and abuse of power. The opening scenes - remarkably realistic - show a massive, militaristic manhunt unravel on the streets. Then, all of a sudden, the ambassador is found dead, the search is over, and things quiet down, and an elaborate state funeral takes place. This isn't a spoiler though, because the rest of the film brilliantly shows us the circumstances behind Montand's death. We are shown what happened after the zealots apprehended him and bring him to a remote, undisclosed location. He's questioned by left wing activists, who do not intend to kill him, even though fate would dictate otherwise. The most memorable character from the film is a veteran news reporter played by O.E. Hasse, who reminded me of Walter Cronkite; the reporter is present at all the major press conferences and always asking the toughest questions. Suspicious of the official statements, he does a bit of questioning and investigating on his own.

The third movie is perhaps the most intense of all, The Confession from 1970, which can be seen as a story of survival. Mr. Montand is in the film again, and this time, he's tortured and imprisoned for reasons neither we nor his character understand at first. As the film progresses, we learn that he used to be an active member of a Communist party, but now has settled into a more bourgeoisie lifestyle, much to the dismay of his more militant Communist kidnappers. While he's imprisoned, he is forced to confess to things that are not true for political reasons. He is stubborn, though, and will not confess. In the meantime, his wife (portrayed by the lovely Simon Signoret) wants nothing more than her husband freed. The Confession is not an easy film to watch as many scenes show a blindfolded Montand horribly mistreated and depraved of food and water. It's another well-made and thought-provoking film that puts you int he shoes of a prisoner and makes you think what you would do in his case. The ending will last long in your memory.