Twilight's Last Gleaming
Twilight's Last Gleaming

Twilight's Last Gleaming

1977Movie146 minEnglish

A renegade USAF general, Lawrence Dell, escapes from a military prison and takes over an ICBM silo near Montana and threatens to provoke World War 3 unless the President reveals details of a secret meeting held just after the start of the Vietnam War between Dell and the then President's most trusted advisors.

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Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes67%
Google Users75%
Director: Robert AldrichGenres: Drama, Thriller, War

Plot Summary

A rogue U.S. Air Force general, Lawrence Ka Hancock, seizes control of a nuclear missile site in the Rocky Mountains. He threatens to launch his missiles unless the government reveals the truth about a disastrous Vietnam War incident. As nuclear war looms, a tense standoff ensues involving military leaders, diplomats, and the general's former colleagues.

Critical Reception

Twilight's Last Gleaming was met with mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising its suspenseful nature and powerful performances, particularly from Burt Lancaster. However, some found its anti-war message heavy-handed and its plot convoluted. The film is considered a notable entry in the political thriller genre of the 1970s.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its gripping suspense and strong performances.
  • Criticized by some for its overt anti-war message and narrative complexity.
  • A tense Cold War thriller with a somber, thought-provoking tone.

Google audience: Audience reviews indicate appreciation for the film's thrilling premise and the star power of its cast, with many finding it a compelling watch despite its dated themes. Some viewers felt the plot could be dense, but the overall sentiment leans positive.

Fun Fact

The film was one of the last major projects for veteran director Robert Aldrich, known for his intense and often cynical films.

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TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

40-odd years on, and this still has a certain resonance about it even now. Burt Lancaster in a disgraced US Air Force General who, along with two colleagues, escapes from jail and takes control of an active nuclear missile silo with 9 deadl...
John Chard

John Chard

Gentlemen, we are now a superpower. Twilight's Last Gleaming is directed by Robert Aldrich and collectively written by Ronald M. Cohen, Edward Huebsch and Walter Wager (novel "Viper Three"). It stars Burt Lancaster, Burt Young, Richard ...