Fail Safe
From a LIVE groundbreaking television performance.
A computer malfunction triggers the transmission of nuclear-attack codes to a U.S. bomber squadron. The orders are irreversible, the primary target is Moscow - and the President, his advisors and military leaders race time to head off global catastrophe. George Clooney executive-produces and joins a precision team of actors to retell the Classic Cold War doomsday thriller based on the 1962 Eugene Burdick/Harvey Wheeler book and the memorable 1964 film. Recalling the adrenaline-rush days of early TV drama, Fail Safe was staged and telecast live on April 9, 2000 in black-and-white, establishing an immediate sense of history unfolding. Historic, too, is the cast: Richard Dreyfuss, Brian Dennehy, Noah Wyle, Don Cheadle, Harvey Keitel, Hank Azaria and Sam Elliott.
Member Reviews
Fail Safe (2000) - VeerdiCoquitlam
WHAT AN EXTREME WASTE OF TIME!!!
A few days earlier I watched the 1964 version, which i had not seen in many years. Although totally outdated, I was looking forward to a 2000 version, re-done in COLOUR, with a new, not so dated cast, and set in today's world of diffrent political tensions and FAR better electronics. Instead, I got a stupid balck and white COPY og the same ou-dated movie I had just watched afew days ago!!
So it was "LIVE" (?????) what does that mean in any case, I was not watching a live stage performance, so who cares!!!!
The only diffrence was that instead of the pilots wife trying to convince him that a mistake had been made, in this almost identical version, it was his son!!! Well, big deal!!
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ON THIS ONE!!! If you want to watch a completely outdated movie about the Cold War, watch the 1964 version, not this piece of sh.t!!!!!!!!! What a MAJOR disappointment. Can't anyoner make a movie on this subject set in modern times with modern equipment and pick a more popular target, like IRAN???Watching it on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) now - Jax1
I'm watching the 1964 version now and all I can say is its a Wonderfully made movie and I'm sitting on the edge of my seat wonder if the bombers will be stopped or if they will make it through to Moscow. I have put the re-make on my Zip list and can't wait to receive it.What Was The Point? - revsdd
I've seen the 1964 version of this movie many times and always found myself at the edge of my seat, even knowing how it will turn out. This version - while it was generally well-produced and acted - left me scratching my head. It seemed a monumental waste of time, money and good actors.
The plot line is exactly the same: set during the Cold War, a team of American bombers is accidentally sent off on a mission to bomb Moscow. The tension builds until the absolutely horrific decision of the American president at the end of the movie. But this, it seems to me, is the basic problem with this version of the movie. Except for a couple of minor differences (Col. Grady now has a young son plead with him not to drop the bomb, rather than his wife; the matador sequences are left out) everything is the same. The dialogue is almost a word for word repeat of 1964; the thing was done in black and white. It isn't a bad movie - would probably be good except that - as almost always happens with remakes - it pales in comparison to the 1964 version. So - why bother?
The acting was fine in general. Richard Dreyfuss was almost Henry Fonda's equal as the embattled president, around whose decisions the movie revolves. But the movie seemed too much of a gimmick. It was originally broadcast on live television and so came across as little more than a ratings gag: "let's find something to do live and win some ratings because everyone will watch looking for mistakes!" Well, there weren't many mistakes, but the live production was also problematic. "Fail Safe" was originally a book and not a stage play. It wasn't intended to be performed live. At least perhaps younger viewers who wouldn't have watched the 1964 version might be drawn in by the presence of George Clooney and might gain something of an understanding of the tensions of the Cold War.
Member Reviews
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Fail Safe (2000) - VeerdiCoquitlam
WHAT AN EXTREME WASTE OF TIME!!!
A few days earlier I watched the 1964 version, which i had not seen in many years. Although totally outdated, I was looking forward to a 2000 version, re-done in COLOUR, with a new, not so dated cast, and set in today's ...Watching it on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) now - Jax1
I'm watching the 1964 version now and all I can say is its a Wonderfully made movie and I'm sitting on the edge of my seat wonder if the bombers will be stopped or if they will make it through to Moscow. I have put the re-make on my Zip list and can't wait ...What Was The Point? - revsdd
I've seen the 1964 version of this movie many times and always found myself at the edge of my seat, even knowing how it will turn out. This version - while it was generally well-produced and acted - left me scratching my head. It seemed a monumental waste ...