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Amazon.com
It's Dr. Strangelove, but without the laughs. Fail-Safe, made within a year of Strangelove and at the height of cold war atomic anxiety, posits a similar nightmare scenario. A U.S. bomber is accidentally ordered toward Moscow, ready to drop its load. The U.S. president (Henry Fonda) and various military and congressional leaders must then scramble to deal with the disaster. The built-in suspense is well maintained by director Sidney Lumet, working from a script by former black-listed writer Walter Bernstein. The solemn, serious approach doesn't begin to touch the brilliance of Strangelove's inspired take on the nuclear nightmare, but Fail-Safe is absorbing and well acted (a memorable role for Walter Matthau, for instance). The movie enters unexpected territory in its final minutes; conditioned for feel-good endings, viewers are still genuinely shocked by the plot turns in the final reels. The climax comes as a sobering slap in the face, intriguingly staged by Lumet. Now that the Cold War has passed on into history, Fail-Safe stands as--thank goodness--an interesting period piece. --Robert Horton, Amazon.com
Synopsis
A U.S. plane loaded with hydrogen bombs is flying towards Moscow and because of technical difficulties, is impossible to recall. Starring Henry Fonda and Walter Matthau. Directed by Sidney Lumet.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I believe this cold war thriller to be a real scare movie in that it could have happened.A Sidney Lumet film in black and white based on a novel by Burdick and Wheeler.The USAF did not cooperate in the use of any film sequences for the SAC headquarters or the bombers,so we get stock footage of B58 Hustler planes renamed `Vindicator Bombers'.This film was sued due to its similarity of theme to Dr Strangelove which was based on a different book.However I feel this subject matter is technically and dramatically different.Serious treatment of the subject is warranted.Following the Cuban Missile Crisis(1962) the world was on the brink of nuclear holocaust.Machine or man-made error was a distinct possibility.Due to the assertion of hardware malfunction leading to what transpires in the film USAF/Defence Dept.withdrew their support and the film had a minimal budget.The action scenes are set for the most part in bunkers, the Strategic Air Command headquarters and on planes.A computer error sends a squadron of SAC bombers hurtling towards Russia to drop their atomic weapons on Moscow due to the use of an attack code instead of a recall order. AirForce Commander Frank Overton tries to establish radio contact with the bombers,but once the pilots have passed the `fail-safe' point,they've been instructed to ignore any reversal of orders.Their radios have been jammed by the Russians.US President Henry Fonda( and interpreter Larry Hagman)racing against time are unable to call them back due to the fail-safe system and alert the Russians of the impending nuclear disaster to avoid retaliation.He has to convince them it's an accident.Working in concert with SAC,the Russians send up interceptors to shoot down the American bombers.Fighters have tried to shoot them down but run out of fuel and crash.Oneaircraft piloted by Edward Binns,escapes destruction and continues to its target.Fail-Safe uses a minimalist documentary format with the use of strong top light,with claustrophobic close-ups,legato sustained shots,dolly shots and long silences.Tension is realistically maintained and is stepped up at each stage.There is a battle of ideas between Groetescele's(Mathau) idea that ATOMIC WAR WAS WINNABLE and the concept of limited war,an extreme machiavellian anti-marxist,vs General Black(O'Herlihy)whose ominous dream opens the film,he sees how unstoppable nuclear war is.In desperation, the President offers to sacrifice an American city(relying on hisold buddy `Blackie' to do the deed knowing his wife and kids are there) if his pilots succeed to bomb Moscow.This cold war thriller builds tension and suspense with its use of the big screen at SAC headquarters to chart the movement of bombers on a World Map.The ending comes as a shock.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Renowned film-noir director Sidney Lumet turns his skills to nuclear threat.
Filmed - as all good cold-war films should be - in B&W, It's about infallible systems going haywire and launching an allied attack on Russia. Purists may reasonably argue about military incongruities, but the tension racks-up very nicely indeed. Walter Matthau turns in his usual top-drawer performance as a cynical military adviser, whist Henry Fonda, as US President, does the moral man in crisis to perfection. He always does. Dan O'Herlihy also shines as a cautious General Black. Supporting cast is solid. There's a decent script, some frisky exchanges, and great ambience. Sets are solid, and other technical issues are up to snuff. Just occasionally does the editing seem a bit heavy-handed.
My only gripe is with an opening dream sequence in the form of a bullfight, and some rather pointless social dalliance involving a dinner party and failed seduction. They rather squander the first 12 minutes.
The Amazon DVD supplied was unrestored but still satisfactory. Sound is mono, aspect ratio is 1.85:1, run time is stated at 107 minutes. Rating is PG. Extras include a commentary from Sidney Lumet which I've yet to watch.
At the time of writing, the price is quoted as £2.99, making it good value. Despite the fake military issues, it is an excellent historical presentation of the nightmare scenario that terrified people back then.
Filmed - as all good cold-war films should be - in B&W, It's about infallible systems going haywire and launching an allied attack on Russia. Purists may reasonably argue about military incongruities, but the tension racks-up very nicely indeed. Walter Matthau turns in his usual top-drawer performance as a cynical military adviser, whist Henry Fonda, as US President, does the moral man in crisis to perfection. He always does. Dan O'Herlihy also shines as a cautious General Black. Supporting cast is solid. There's a decent script, some frisky exchanges, and great ambience. Sets are solid, and other technical issues are up to snuff. Just occasionally does the editing seem a bit heavy-handed.
My only gripe is with an opening dream sequence in the form of a bullfight, and some rather pointless social dalliance involving a dinner party and failed seduction. They rather squander the first 12 minutes.
The Amazon DVD supplied was unrestored but still satisfactory. Sound is mono, aspect ratio is 1.85:1, run time is stated at 107 minutes. Rating is PG. Extras include a commentary from Sidney Lumet which I've yet to watch.
At the time of writing, the price is quoted as £2.99, making it good value. Despite the fake military issues, it is an excellent historical presentation of the nightmare scenario that terrified people back then.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'd forgotten how great this movie really is. Fonda on top form, Matthau giving an unfamiliar performance of strange, dated menace and Larry Hagman in an early role as the somewhat bewildered yet workmanlike translator. A period piece from back in the day when the iron curtain was well drawn and life was very different indeed this film drips with tension and drama. From the moment it becomes clear what is happening you are swept along as both sides try to make the right (correct ?) choices and battle with enemies within as well as abroad. The direction is superb as the tension mounts, the use of close up's and odd angles making the whole thing seem so claustrophobic that you actually feel at times like you are present in the unfolding chaos. I saw this many, many years ago on the TV and haven't seen it for ages so at the bargain price I just had to pick it up. A real 5 star classic.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
did it rip off the dr stranglove book? yes, is it still good YES!
Ok well kUBRICK managed to delay this film for a year to avoid it clashing with his film, and yes they are very similiar but dont let that put you off, this is a very strong film,... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Christopher
Inevitable comparisons with Dr Strangelove
FAIL SAFE is a good movie and boasts a rather unusually serious role by Walter Matthau, not to mention an equally odd pairing with Henry Fonda. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Movie Fan from Portugal
A film of contrasts, excellent in some ways, annoying in others
A film of contrasts. It is predictable, yet absorbing. It has some great acting (Henry Fonda), some good performances (Walter Matthau, Larry Hagman), but also some truly appalling... Read more
Published 21 months ago by J. S. Hardman
Well made but ludicrous.
It is years since I have seen this film, but that does not matter - I remember it as being very well made with superb performances all round. Read more
Published on 30 Oct 2009 by Mr. Charles R. Day
Henry Fonda and Sydney Lumet
I think that this film is really a great film. Face to the possibility of a new world war commencing, this is the story of a strong tension and a strong fear. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2009 by Cinephilo
Fail Safe is a Classic
I saw this film many years ago when TV still played interesting movies on only 3 channels. Profoundly odd in its direction and dialogue, off beat camera and use of sound.. Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2008 by G. A. Heiss
"Things ride in the saddle on the horse of mankind"
"Fail-Safe" was adapted by screenwriter Walter Bernstein from the novel of the same name by two political scientists Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler. Read more
Published on 19 July 2008 by Phoust
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