One reason this film works so well.

Here's the thing; this movie isn't about politics. It's about people following their conscience. Or at least that's how I took it.

The President, obviously, is worried about the arms race and the instability and growing threat to world peace that it represents (remember, this was only a few years after the Cuban missile crisis). Because of that, he sees no choice but to sign the treaty. It's his obligation to his countrymen and the entire human race - either that or they all go up in smoke.

General Scott, OTOH, is worried about a treaty that's going to cause the defeat or even destruction of the United States in a matter of months - like he tells the President, that's not even enough time to wait for the next election. What's a man to do? Well, there's one thing he can do; it violates his oath of office and permanently stains his honor, but it's either that or his countrymen and the entire world fall under the Soviet boot.

(Not saying either one of them is seeing things accurately, just explaining what leads them to do what they're doing).

Scott isn't a cardboard fascist stereotype, even if some people who watch the movie see it that way. And Lyman isn't a cardboard bleeding-heart intellectual stereotype either. They're both men faced with an extraordinary situation and reacting to it the best way they know, even in the face of overwhelming public opposition (Lyman) or legal authority (Scott), because it's the only thing their conscience will allow them to do. That adds up to an incredibly good story.


I love it when a plan comes together.