For Pentagon insider Col. Jiggs Casey (Kirk Douglas), Joint Chiefs of Staff head Gen. James Mattoon Scott (Burt Lancaster) always commanded admiration and respect. However, upon discovering that Scott intends to respond to the Soviet nuclear accord reached by unpopular president Jordan Lyman (Fredric March) with a military coup d’état, the conflicted colonel has a perilous needle to thread in warning the White House of the scheme. John Frankenheimer’s sensational political thriller, adapted from the Fletcher Knebel novel by Rod Serling, co-stars Ava Gardner, Edmond O'Brien, Martin Balsam. 118 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French; audio commentary by Frankenheimer.