Synopsis
Because of a technical defect an American bomber team mistakenly orders the destruction of Moscow. The President of the United States has but little time to prevent an atomic catastrophe from occurring.
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Cast
- Henry FondaThe President
- Walter MatthauProf. Groeteschele
- Fritz WeaverCol. Cascio
- Larry HagmanBuck
- Frank OvertonGen. Bogan
- Edward BinnsCol. Jack Grady
- Dan O'HerlihyBrig. Gen. Warren A. Black
- William HansenDefense Secretary Swenson
- Russell HardieGen. Stark
- Janet WardHelen Grady
Recommendations
- 80
Empire
Still an impressive and disturbing brink-of-doom thriller. - 80
The New York Times
It packs a melodramatic wallop that will rattle a lot of chattering teeth. - 75
TV Guide Magazine
While this is a wonderful showcase for some fine acting--notably by Fonda--it is not great filmmaking, and one may be left wishing for the biting, off-the-wall satire of Dr. Strangelove. - 70
Slate
As brilliant and grotesquely funny as Dr. Strangelove is, the neglected Fail-Safe is the more mature and damning take on the nuclear enterprise. It feels like it could have really happened, and it’s terrifying as a result. - 70
Time Out
Eclipsed by its contemporary, Dr Strangelove, Fail Safe eschews the former's black humour and opts for a deadly serious mix of cold-war melodrama and rampant psychosis. - 70
Variety
Fail Safe is a tense and suspenseful piece of filmmaking dealing with the frightening implications of accidental nuclear warfare. It faithfully translates on the screen the power and seething drama of the Eugene Burdick-Harvey Wheeler book.
