Watch Fail Safe

Fail Safe is a 1964 black-and-white thriller film directed by Sidney Lumet and based on the novel of the same name by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler. The movie features an all-star cast including Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, and Fritz Weaver. The film explores the terrifying possibility of nuclear war, and the catastrophic consequences that can arise from the decisions made by those in power.

The storyline revolves around the chain of events that unfold after a technical glitch sends a group of American nuclear warplanes on a mission to attack Moscow. The attack is initiated by a computer that detects a Soviet missile headed towards the United States. However, it is quickly revealed that the missile was simply a malfunction and the warplanes were sent on a false mission.

The President of the United States, who is played by Henry Fonda, is informed of the situation by his advisors, including his Secretary of Defense, played by Walter Matthau. Together, they must try to stop the planes before they reach their destination and start an all-out nuclear war.

One of the most striking aspects of the movie is its realistic portrayal of government bureaucracy and political tension. As the President works tirelessly to find a solution, he is met with opposition at every turn. There are heated debates and disagreements between the President and his advisors, and each character is given their own unique personality and motivation.

Fritz Weaver also delivers a standout performance as Colonel Cascio, a gung-ho military official who believes that the United States should attack the Soviet Union preemptively. Despite the danger that his views pose, he is portrayed as a credible and convincing character, which makes his arguments all the more chilling.

The film is shot in a stark, minimalist style that adds to the overall sense of bleakness and tension. The use of high contrast black and white photography is especially effective in creating an atmosphere of unease.

Another notable aspect of the film is the absence of any soundtrack. Instead, the film relies on the sounds of the planes and the characters' voices to create a sense of urgency and drama. This adds to the realism and heightens the tension of the film, as the lack of a musical score leaves the audience with nothing to distract them from the terrifying reality of what is happening on screen.

Overall, Fail Safe is a riveting and thought-provoking thriller that explores the horrific consequences of nuclear war. The film was released during a time of great political tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, and it speaks to the fears and anxieties of the era. Despite being more than fifty years old, the film feels as relevant today as it did when it was first released, and it remains a powerful reminder of the importance of diplomacy and cooperation in the face of global conflict.

Fail Safe is a 1964 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0 and a MetaScore of 75.