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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Fail-Safe
Eric266 — 9 years ago(September 06, 2016 11:35 AM)
Like most people I have seen Dr. Strangelove and found it witty and poignant. I had heard of Fail Safe, but had never seen it. I decided to give it a try. I was extremely impressed.
While some of the technology and military actions are dated, it was still a well-written, acted, and directed film. All the main roles were handled exceptionally well by some pretty famous actors. Even the minor roles were handled by soon-to-be famous actors. Someone in the casting office needed a raise.
Henry Fonda is the US President trying to stave off a nuclear disaster when a rogue US bomber squadron gets bad information relayed to it and refuses to return to base after a computer glitch. Walter Matthau is a scientist (he reminded me of Jeff Goldblum's Malcom in Jurassic Park). He sees things critically and analytically. A young Larry Hagman is an interpreter who has the tough job of trying to interpret tone in the Russians communications. Look closely for Dom Deluise as a technician in the command center.
There is no sound track so all the intensity is built through dialogue and close up visuals of the protagonists. As they become agitated, so does the audience. The conversations between the various leaders on both sides of the situation as phenomenally well acted. President to President, General to General, and President to Envoy. All are done well. An attempt by the President to get the wife of the bomber pilot to reason with him is tragic and haunting. When the Russians can't stop the last bomber from reaching Moscow, the US President must make a fateful choice. A truly agonizing one.
The movie is overshadowed by Dr. Strangelove and its a pity. Despite the similarities in plots, they are really two different kinds of movies. Fail Safe is the more realistic and serious one and it suffers when compared to the more comical and satirical Dr. Strangelove and the performance of Peter Sellers..
My memory foam pillow says it can't remember my face. I can tell its lying. -
ncdwbmk6 — 9 years ago(September 06, 2016 12:54 PM)
That description is accurate, except for: "a rogue US bomber squadron gets bad information relayed to it and refuses to return to base after a computer glitch."
The bomber pilots are following orders; it's the system that's at fault. They refuse to return because they had been previously instructed that once they've been given the "go code" and passed the "fail-safe" point, they cannot respond to new orders.
Fowler's knots? Did you say fowler's knots?