Fail-safe (Special Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Fail-safe (Special Edition)
Movie Review: The Ultimate Drama
Summary: 5 Stars
What a sobering view of the "Cold War"!Fail Safe is a far-too-real scenario that has almost happened a few times. On a few occassions, both America and Russia came within 2 minutes of starting World War III, due to technological
"glitches", such as satellites mistaking the Sun's reflection off of clouds for the heat of an ICBM.
The message the movie tries to make is that mankind was becoming too dependent upon technology. And we were going to pay the ultimate price for this. It's amazing that the authors of the novel the movie of the same name is based upon had such great "vision" and foresight.
Fail Safe also does a fantastic job of showing the Cold War paranoia of both the American & Soviet military and government "higher ups".
For those who have not seen it, the ending will send a chill down your spine, and may even bring tears to your eyes!
There were great acting performances all around. The actors that played General Black & General Bogan, the two "voices of reason"
in the military leadership are two of the best performances I've ever seen. Henry Fonda brought to life his role as the most powerful man in the world. The late Walter Matthau was outstanding as the politcal scientist-Pentagon advisor who wanted the U.S. to take advantage of the madness to wipe-out our
"mortal enemy".
Fail Safe is a movie "for the ages"!
Movie Review: A Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie rises above what could have been just a polemic against letting machines get away from us and letting patriotism goad us to killing the "enemy." It evolves into a singular, gripping drama.
The one false note is Walter Mathau's early reaction to a woman sensually in love with death, a woman craving finishing climax. All that is a gratuitous artsy touch. And then there is a lapse or two in logic. As other reviewers have pointed out, the bomber pilot who is pushing through with what he thinks are his orders, could have proven to himself that it is in fact his wife and not a Soviet imposter trying to tell him to stop, trying to tell him it was all just mechanical failure. He could have simply asked the woman pleading with him some questions that only he and his wife would have known the answers to.
But these minor quibbles aside, Sidney Lumet was absolutely at the top of his form with this movie. He is the master of projecting us into the gritty tragedies of so-called civilization. With Fail Safe, he plummets us into the ultimate tragedy.
The acting is brilliant. For me, this is Henry Fonda's defining role. He is supremely Presidential, considered, able to withstand the pressures of jingoism and to put human life first. He is the statesman one can only wish our real Presidents were. Although as this movie illustrates, having a wise leader can't always avert disaster.
Movie Review: Frightening Plausible Reality
Summary: 5 Stars
My first viewing of this film took place on a trans-continental TWA night flight, from LA to NYC, just prior to its being released in 1964. The occasion for this "Sneak Preview" was brought about by the fact that the author of the original best selling novel, Eugene Burdick, was also on board this flight and TWA had obtained special permission for its viewing in his honor. This particular flying experience was memorable for me for two reasons: one; I was seated in first class next to the actress Jill St. John, who remained wrapped and lifeless in her mink coat until we touched down at Idlewild (JFK) airport, and two; just at the moment in the film when New York City is about to be wiped off the face of the earth by a Russian nuclear weapon, our jet became wrapped in a violent patch of air turbulence, which in no small way contributed to the events taking place in the film at that moment when the city is being obliterated in a blinding flash of light.
This film holds up quite well and still provides a thought-provoking and nail-biting experience - even without the turbulence. The acting and overall production values are excellent and the black and white format only adds to the feeling of doom and desparation. This early Sidney Lumet directorial effort is a perfectly realized depiction of the events portrayed in the book this film is based on. Highly recommended.
Movie Review: Cold war turns red hot!
Summary: 5 Stars
A fault in a multi-million dollar nuclear bomber spirals the crew and the world into this tense and exiting cold war thriller. You may have heard the storyline before (Dr. Strangelove) but this film is deeper, darker and deadly serious!Henry Fonda provides a superb performance in this powerful drama which keeps you on the edge of your seat to the very last image on the screen. The tension unfolds minute by minute following the ill-fated crew from the beginning of their routine flight to their terror-filled battle through Soviet airspace towards their target - Moscow! Will they succeed, will they be recalled, will they be shot down? Superb acting and skillful writing combine to produce one of the best (anti) cold war films of our time.
Special effects are minimal (compared to todays epics) and the sets are confined mostly to the NORAD Air Force control bunker and the bomber cockpit but never has a film been so effective in its powerful portrayal of tension, suspense, and fear as the President of the United States, the US Air Force and the Russians struggle to try to stop the rogue bomber from starting a nuclear holocaust.
Striking black and white photography enhances the film rather than detracts from the experience.
Don't miss it!
Movie Review: Masterful Suspense...
Summary: 5 Stars
I sat on the edge of my seat throughout most of this movie. I actually saw it for the first time many years ago, but it seems when I watch it over again, it is like the first time.
The story is chillingly real-very much something that could have happened. A group of bombers fly fast the 'failsafe' point armed with nuclear bombs and headed for Moscow. The whole set of events that is set in motion by this is so artfully and suspensefully woven together, that once you start watching it, you really can't stop.
All the actors are perfect for this film, especially Walter Matthau as a cynical political strategist who believes that the USSR and America could survive a nuclear exchange. You will also see a very young Larry Hagman as a Russian translator (pre-"Jeannie" days) who spends most of his time in the movie with the President played by Henry Fonda.
All in all today's movies even with their special effects can't match the psychological suspense of movies like this. This is one for your library.
By the way, be sure to get the 1963 version and not the remake. Some things are better left alone even if somewhat dated.