Fact1: subsequent ratification by U.S. Senate has produced wave of dissatisfaction especially among Lyman 's opposition and military, Fact2: Joint Chiefs of Staff led by charismatic Air Force General James Mattoon Scott stage coup d'etat, Fact3: secret Army unit known as ECOMCON Under seize control of country 's telephone radio and television networks plan, Fact4: Casey Although is appalled by plot personally opposed to Lyman 's policies, Fact5: Lyman gathers circle of trusted advisors to investigate Secret Service White House Detail Chief Art Corwin Treasury Secretary Christopher Todd advisor Paul Girard and U.S. Senator Raymond Clark of Georgia
Output: The story is set in the early 1970s, ten years in the future at the time of the films 1964 release, and the Cold War is still a problem in the 1962 book, the setting was May 1974 after a stalemated war in Iran. U.S. President Jordan Lyman has recently signed a nuclear disarmament treaty with the Soviet Union, and the subsequent ratification by the U.S. Senate has produced a wave of dissatisfaction, especially among Lymans opposition and the military, who believe the Soviets cannot be trusted. A Pentagon insider, United States Marine Corps Colonel Jiggs Casey the Director of the Joint Staff, stumbles on evidence that the Joint Chiefs of Staff, led by the charismatic Air Force General James Mattoon Scott, intend to stage a coup detat to remove Lyman and his cabinet in seven days. Under the plan a secret Army unit known as ECOMCON Emergency COMmunications CONtrol will seize control of the countrys telephone, radio, and television networks, while Congress is prevented from implementing the treaty. Although personally opposed to Lymans policies, Casey is appalled by the plot and alerts Lyman, who gathers a circle of trusted advisors to investigate: Secret Service White House Detail Chief Art Corwin, Treasury Secretary Christopher Todd, advisor Paul Girard, and U.S. Senator Raymond Clark of Georgia. Casey uses the pretense of a social visit to General Scotts former mistress to ferret out potential secrets that can be used against Scott, in the form of indiscreet letters. Meanwhile, the alcoholic Clark is sent to Fort Bliss near El Paso, Texas, to locate the secret base, and Girard leaves for the Mediterranean to obtain a confession from Vice Admiral Barnswell, who declined to participate in the coup. Girard gets the confession in writing, but is killed when his return flight crashes, while Clark is taken captive when he reaches the secret base. However, Clark convinces the bases deputy commander, Colonel Henderson – a friend of Caseys and not party to the coup – to help him escape. They reach Washington, DC, but Henderson is abducted during a moment apart from Clark. Lyman calls Scott to the White House to demand that he and the other plotters resign. Scott initially denies the existence of the plot, but then tacitly admits to it while denouncing the treaty. Lyman argues that a coup in America would prompt the Soviets to make a preemptive strike. Scott maintains that the American people are behind him. Lyman is on the verge of confronting Scott with the letters obtained from Scotts mistress when he decides against it and allows Scott to leave. Scott meets the other three Joint Chiefs, demanding they stay in line and reminding them that Lyman does not seem to have concrete evidence of their plot. Somewhat reassured, the others agree to continue the plan to appear on television and radio simultaneously on the next day to denounce Lyman. However, Lyman first holds a press conference, at which he demands the mens resignations. As he is speaking Barnswells handwritten confession, recovered from the plane crash, is handed to him. Copies are given to Scott and the other plotters, who have no choice but to call off the coup. The film ends with an address by Lyman to American people on the countrys future.