Fail-Safe (Fail Safe)
"Highly suspenseful!" -The New York Times
One of the greatest anti-war thrillers ever, Fail-Safe stars Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, Dan O'Herlihy, Larry Hagman and Fritz Weaver (in this film debut) as a group of military men on the verge of World War III.
When a military computer error deploys a squadron of SAC bombers to destroy Moscow, the American President (Fonda) tries to call them back. But their sophisticated fail-safe system prevents him from aborting the attack, so he must convince the Soviets not to retaliate. In desperation, the President offers to sacrifice an American city if his pilots succeed in their deadly mission over Moscow. A four-star techno-thriller that builds tension and suspense with every tick of the nuclear clock.
Member Reviews
If you liked Dr. Strangelove... - Calzephyr
You'll love this movie. The two are oddly similar, although Fail-Safe is quite lacking in humour. It was great to see a young Larry Hagman as the president's translator. Very tense and tightly shot, this is a very suspenseful technological thriller. The old tech was great to see and the use of black and white was very effective.Well worth the time spent... - Mikhail
This is a true classic. Though not as fast paced as some less mature viewers might like, this movie underscores the fear and uncertainty of the era it was released in.
On the heels of the Cuban missle crisis and increased tensions due to the russian development of a new, more powerful type of nuclear bomb, this movie was intended to show the American public just how quickly things could escalate in the new, nuclear age. Worse yet, it could do so without any specific intent by either country.
Released earlier the same year, Dr. Strangelove, a fairly twisted satirical(though admittedly brilliant in places) movie with nearly the exact same plot, took much of Fail-Safe's thunder away.
In the end, it is a slow moving show -- I won't deny that. If you're an action junkie, you're not going to like this one much - but if you like well thought out, well acted movies, this one will earn a place in your collection.They don't make them like this anymore - Teddy
I've long heard this movie praised, and it is worthy of the accolades. Don't read the spoilers, just watch the movie (in one seating, please!) and enjoy it. Filmed in sharp black and white, it is a simple story of suspense and suspicion. Unlike present-day films, it doesn't insult its audience. Quite brilliant-- definitely in my top ten.
Member Reviews
Read All...
If you liked Dr. Strangelove... - Calzephyr
You'll love this movie. The two are oddly similar, although Fail-Safe is quite lacking in humour. It was great to see a young Larry Hagman as the president's translator. Very tense and tightly shot, this is a very suspenseful technological thriller. The old ...Well worth the time spent... - Mikhail
This is a true classic. Though not as fast paced as some less mature viewers might like, this movie underscores the fear and uncertainty of the era it was released in.
On the heels of the Cuban missle crisis and increased tensions due to the russian ...They don't make them like this anymore - Teddy
I've long heard this movie praised, and it is worthy of the accolades. Don't read the spoilers, just watch the movie (in one seating, please!) and enjoy it. Filmed in sharp black and white, it is a simple story of suspense and suspicion. Unlike present-day ...