WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

Seven Days In May
Genre:Thriller

Reviewed In Issue 30 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Frederic March & Ava Gardner

WSR Review Scores
Picture Rating: 3
Sound Rating: 2
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score:
Internet Links

Supplementals

DVD General Information
(Studio/Distributor): Warner Home Video
(Catalog Number): 12776
(MPAA Rating): Not Rated
(Retail Price): $34.98
(Running Time In Minutes): 117
(Color Type): Black & White
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Theatrical Release): 1963
(LD Release Date):
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

Credits Information
(Director): John Frankenheimer
(Screenplay/Written By): Rod Serling
(Story):
(Music): Jerry Goldsmith
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer): Cary Odell
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor): Ferris Webster
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers): Edward Lewis

DVD Picture Information
(Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
(Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio):

DVD Sound Information
(DVD Soundtrack): Mono Sound
(Theatrical Sound): Optical Mono
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(Remastered Dolby Digital): No
(Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
(Additional Languages):

WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
Based on the novel by Fletcher Knebel and Charles W. Bailey II, John Frankenheimer’s suspense classic, Seven Days In May, is a taut exploration of the unsettling possibility of a coup d`état in the United States. Burt Lancaster stars as the popular General Scott and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman who finds the unaccepted President’s (Frederic March) pacifism traitorous. Bitter over a disarmament treaty, the general masterminds a military scheme to overthrow the government. But when the vigilant Colonel Casey (Kirk Douglas) uncovers the conspiracy, he must alert the President before time—ticking off seven tension-filled days—runs out. The script was written by Rod Serling (The Twightlight Zone).

LaserDisc Picture:
The black and white picture exhibits a nicely rendered gray scale with visual information between the two extremes. Contrast and shadow delineation are excellent. Images are generally sharp and detailed throughout, with good texture and clarity, through some scenes are a bit soft and hazy. There is minor noise and artifacts for a pleasant, but mediocre visual experience. The aspect ratio is matted at 1.80:1.

LaserDisc Soundtrack:
The soundtrack is undistinguished monaural that sounds compressed.
(Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
(Aggressive System Surround): No
(Intense 25Hz Bass): No
(Deep Bass Challenging): No
(Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
(Holosonic Soundfield): No
(Aggressive Split Surround): No
(Center Back Surround Imaging): No
(Directionalized Dialogue): No
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
Superb Color Fidelity:
Superb Cinematography:
Reference LaserDisc:
Collector Edition: