Fail-Safe (1964)
Mild themes
| Director: | Sidney Lumet |
| Actors: | Dan O'Herlihy, Walter Matthau, Frank Overton, Ed Binns, Fritz Weaver, Henry Fonda, Larry Hagman, William Hansen |
Taking place over the course of a single day, Fail-Safe follows government and army officials in Nebraska, New York City, and Washington, D.C., as they go about their day supervising, examining, and speculating on the fragile state of affairs engendered by the tense nuclear standoff between the U.S. and Russia. When an off-course commercial airplane triggers the Pentagon's complex fail-safe manoeuvre, leaving an arsenal of nuclear-bomb-carrying jet fighters at the ready, a mechanical error puts the entire world in danger of destruction.
| Status: | Normal |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 111mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3 |
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Member Reviews (4)
4 Member
Reviews
Nigel W
says
A dark vision of the nuclear arms race which results in devastation. While Dr Strangelove focused on the black comedy of the situation, Fail-Safe takes a sober view. Interesting to compare both approaches. 3.5 stars
Paul
says
I'd rate Dr strangelove the better choice for a portrayal of the sheer absurdity of the cold war, but this was stillo a very insightful and thought provoking story with some great (maybe a bit dated) acting. Definately worth a look
Richard R.
says
Andy O.
says
Even though the cold war era in which Fail-Safe is set has for the most part passed (we hope) and replaced by something even worse, this movie still packs a solid punch in harshly lit B&W widescreen. It mercilessly exposes the madness of war, especially the very specific traps of the crazed nuclear arms race. Even though the context has changed, this is as powerful in its own way as was the original version of The Manchurian Candidate — another B&W widescreen masterpiece.