Movie Review – Fail Safe

Fail Safe (2000) – Set at the height of the Cold War,  a computer glitch launches American nuclear bombers toward the Soviet Union.  Because they have passed the “fail safe” point (a precautionary stage designed to avoid these kinds of accidents) they can not be recalled.  The President of the United States faces an unimaginable choice as he tries to avoid an all out nuclear war.

This is the made for TV version of the best selling 1962 novel of the same name.  There was a major motion picture version made in 1964 starring Henry Fonda and Walter Matthau.  As we headed into the new century CBS aired this version.  With an all star cast (Walter Cronkite, Richard Dreyfuss, Noah Wylie, Don Cheadle, Brian Dennehy, Sam Elliott, James Cromwell, Hank Azaria, George Clooney and Harvey Keitel, among others) and veteran director Stephen Frears (the same year as “High Fidelity”) they went for something a little more daring than most made for TV movies.  The original broadcast was done live.  Plus it was done entirely in black and white.  The overall effect is amazing.  Intentionally avoiding modern production slickness gives a better feel for “back then” and builds suspense.  Coupled with the immediacy of a live performance (with its occasional bobbles) and the stunning work of the cast this is enthralling viewing.

For a modern viewer the black and white, lower production values and minor uneveness of the live performance may be a little disruptive at first.  My advice is to brush all that aside and just let it wash over you.

Rating – **** Recommended