The novel and film tell the story of fictitious U.S. President 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 inspection.
This is extremely unpopular with both the President's opposition and the military, who believe the Soviets cannot be trusted.

As the debate over the treaty rages on, an alert and well-positioned Pentagon insider, USMC Colonel Martin "Jiggs" Casey (Kirk Douglas) becomes aware of a conspiracy among the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) led by his own superior officer, the charismatic head of the JCS, Air Force General James Mattoon Scott (Burt Lancaster).
As he digs deeper, he uncovers the conspiracy's shocking goal: Scott and his cohorts, along with allies in Congress and the news media, are plotting to stage a coup d'etat to remove President Lyman and his cabinet seven days hence.

Somewhat forgotten political thriller about a military plot to take over the government.
Great performances by all in this film, but mostly by Burt Lancaster and Fredric March who toward the end of the movie have a great scene with excellent dialogue that sums up the true essence of the story.
Ava Gardner is beautiful (literally) in this film.
Edmund O'Brien is not to be overlooked as the bourbon loving southern senator.