Fail-Safe is a remarkably grim and pessimistic film about the possibility of nuclear war. It had the misfortune of being released shortly after Dr. Strangelove, the superlative Kubrick black comedy that unintentionally served as a parody of the similarly-themed Fail-Safe.
The film promptly died at the box office. It didn't help that the USAF refused to help with the production, forcing the incorrect use of stock footage for the aerial shots. President Johnson allegedly opposed the film as well, for its implication that a simple computer malfunction could lead to a catastrophic world war.
Timing is nearly everything in the movie business. Fail-Safe was made to capitalize on the high tensions surrounding the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. But Kubrick succeeded in delaying its release (he had threatened a lawsuit against Columbia, which was distributing both films) so that his own film would not be overshadowed. By the time Fail-Safe was released, its story was old news, having been done before, and better.
The story is faithfully adapted from the best selling novel by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler. A series of human and electronic errors results in U.S. Air Force bombers heading to Moscow, to drop hydrogen bombs. Despite intense efforts by the President (Henry Fonda) and General Bogan (Frank Overton), the U.S. is unable to stop or recall the bombers.
With the help of a translator (a young Larry Hagman), the President may be able to convince the Soviet Premier that it was all a mistake. But if the Russians can't shoot down all the planes, will they launch a counterstrike? What can the President do to prevent nuclear Armageddon?
On both the U.S. and Soviet sides, there are warmongers who believe that their side can 'win'. Walter Matthau plays an influential civilian advisor with that cold-blooded attitude. Several military officers also crack under the stress, resulting in embarrassing (but entertaining) unintentional comic relief.
Look for a nervous Dom DeLuise in a small supporting role. It was the film debut of both Hagman and DeLuise.
There are two schools of thought concerning Fail-Safe. The first opinion, which is in the vast majority, is that the film is an unblinking, credible, and extremely tense drama. The minority opinion, with which I agree, is that the film is heavy-handed, ridiculous, earnest to a fault, and tedious. This is the case even excluding the inevitable comparisons with Dr. Strangelove.
Certainly the subject matter is of vital importance. It is interesting that during the height of the Cold War, it is the American side (and not the Russians) that come off worst. The film raises many worthwhile philosophical discussions, that no doubt have been exhaustively explored in endless top secret military briefings. The problem with Fail-Safe is not with its subject matter, but in its execution.
Recently, the film was remade as a live television play, starring George Clooney. (41/100)
One of the greatest anti-war thrillers ever, Fail Safe stars Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, Dan O Herlihy, Larry Hagman and Fritz Weaver (in his film de...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.