I first watched that movie as 12-year old living near New York City. It made a huge impact because of the locality, and the times we lived in then -- nuclear bomb drills in schools and the like. These were very real concerns and the movie brought out the human element. I served in the USAF in the early 70s and recall just how tightly wrapped those Strategic Air Command guys were -- always on the knife's edge.
I watched both films when I was around 10 years old. Fortunately, because of the popularity of "Dr. Strangelove", I was able to view "Fail Safe" first. In those days, when a movie experienced some notoriety, it took longer to reach network television. Thus, I wasn't laughing at any time during "Fail Safe". Mostly due to the combination of serious events also happening at that time.
Great review as always. Yes, it naturally draws those Strangelove comparisons, as I'm also in the camp that saw Strangelove first, but I loved that this one had its serious nuanced approach to the other's satire. Great companions of each other.
An excellent movie to review is Seven Days In May, directed by John Frankenheimer, screenplay by Fletcher Knebel, Charles W. Bailey II, Rod Serling and released February 12, 1964. It stars Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas and Fredric March. This movie is more relevant today than it was in 1964.
I was born in 1955, I barely remember the Cuban missile crisis, and I first saw Fail Safe on TV within a year or two after it first came out. It's on my short list of the movies that scared me most. But somehow I didn't feel scarred (not scared, scarred) by it. I took away the lesson that I'd better figure out, and come to grips with, what kind of world I was born into. I have a lot of intellectual curiosity. Maybe Fail Safe helped me along that path.
Loved this film. I appreciate Strangelove and Kubrick of course but needed the more “realistic” dramatic version. I was surprised to see Larry Hagman working so well with Fonda. Really heartbreaking. Love Lumet. I prefer Full Metal Jacket to Strangelove in terms of warfare.
i haven't heard of this movie. but i'm going to check it out now that i watched your review. I don't want to get into politics, but with somewhat recent history and slightly more distant history, those in power have made grevious errors that resulted in the deaths of millions, even though it can be argued many of them many of them did it with good intentions. with the way you described the film, maybe a few of us can be inspired to better hold those in charge accountable.
I have to check the film out now, was just waiting for your review to come out. I‘m curious if you are doing a review about The Naked Island since I know you are loving and adoring it as much as I do.
Great film! (and review) Too bad it's somewhat in the shadow of "Strangelove", but on its own merits it's right up there... Henry Fonda's performance is particularly gripping to me... (Also re Henry Fonda: make sure you take in "The Oxbow Incident". Fonda himself said it was one of his films he was most proud of.)
In the scene with the wife trying to convince her husband the pilot, why did she not say something only her and her husband would know? Like mention the last time they made love. Or something else that was private? That scene had a big plot hole in my mind.
You're right, that would logically be the likeliest way to persuade Col. Grady to break off the attack. But his wife had just been blindsided by the sudden, horrifying prospect of nuclear doomsday. The soldiers only talked to her and brought her in to the microphone a matter of minutes ago.
Back in 1963 it was a serious film. Max E Youngstien Produced it. I remember the movie back Then. Your opinion is your opinion. I am 71 years old Viet Nam veteran. Russia is still a threat. Max was my friend
I first watched that movie as 12-year old living near New York City. It made a huge impact because of the locality, and the times we lived in then -- nuclear bomb drills in schools and the like. These were very real concerns and the movie brought out the human element. I served in the USAF in the early 70s and recall just how tightly wrapped those Strategic Air Command guys were -- always on the knife's edge.
The pilot's wife's heartfelt plea for him to not follow through with dropping the bombs was impeccable acting.
Watching Fail Safe as a kid, that scene, with the pilot’s wife never registered with me. Watching it as an adult I agree it’s a very powerful scene.
I just saw this movie. The ending is so heartfelt it made me cry.
What a profound and ruthless movie.
The use of the video screen in this film is way ahead of its time, and adds a lot of tension.
I watched both films when I was around 10 years old. Fortunately, because of the popularity of "Dr. Strangelove", I was able to view "Fail Safe" first. In those days, when a movie experienced some notoriety, it took longer to reach network television. Thus, I wasn't laughing at any time during "Fail Safe". Mostly due to the combination of serious events also happening at that time.
I had originally wanted to see this because I'm a bit Matthau fan. Boy was I in for a ride. It's in competition for my first watch film of this year.
Great review as always. Yes, it naturally draws those Strangelove comparisons, as I'm also in the camp that saw Strangelove first, but I loved that this one had its serious nuanced approach to the other's satire. Great companions of each other.
An excellent movie to review is Seven Days In May, directed by John Frankenheimer, screenplay by Fletcher Knebel, Charles W. Bailey II, Rod Serling and released February 12, 1964. It stars Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas and Fredric March. This movie is more relevant today than it was in 1964.
Finally got around to seeing this one. Holy crap it was good! Suspenseful throughout. If you like Dr Strangelove you’ll enjoy Fail-Safe
12 Angry Men does deserve high praise. Now i want to see this. Great review.
I ve seen this movie a thousand times but I just realized there is no back ground music is there
I was born in 1955, I barely remember the Cuban missile crisis, and I first saw Fail Safe on TV within a year or two after it first came out.
It's on my short list of the movies that scared me most.
But somehow I didn't feel scarred (not scared, scarred) by it. I took away the lesson that I'd better figure out, and come to grips with, what kind of world I was born into.
I have a lot of intellectual curiosity. Maybe Fail Safe helped me along that path.
Great review man.
Fail safe is much better as a serious movie, strangelove Is not anywhere close, it's in it's own class as a satire...
The ending to this movie
I highly recommend Sidney Lumet's final film Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007).
It’s been on my radar for such a long time
Loved this film. I appreciate Strangelove and Kubrick of course but needed the more “realistic” dramatic version.
I was surprised to see Larry Hagman working so well with Fonda.
Really heartbreaking.
Love Lumet.
I prefer Full Metal Jacket to Strangelove in terms of warfare.
i haven't heard of this movie. but i'm going to check it out now that i watched your review. I don't want to get into politics, but with somewhat recent history and slightly more distant history, those in power have made grevious errors that resulted in the deaths of millions, even though it can be argued many of them many of them did it with good intentions. with the way you described the film, maybe a few of us can be inspired to better hold those in charge accountable.
I have to check the film out now, was just waiting for your review to come out.
I‘m curious if you are doing a review about The Naked Island since I know you are loving and adoring it as much as I do.
Great film! (and review) Too bad it's somewhat in the shadow of "Strangelove", but on its own merits it's right up there... Henry Fonda's performance is particularly gripping to me...
(Also re Henry Fonda: make sure you take in "The Oxbow Incident". Fonda himself said it was one of his films he was most proud of.)
In the scene with the wife trying to convince her husband the pilot, why did she not say something only her and her husband would know? Like mention the last time they made love. Or something else that was private? That scene had a big plot hole in my mind.
You're right, that would logically be the likeliest way to persuade Col. Grady to break off the attack.
But his wife had just been blindsided by the sudden, horrifying prospect of nuclear doomsday. The soldiers only talked to her and brought her in to the microphone a matter of minutes ago.
Ole!...........Ole!...........
It is such a fantastic film, the remake is good but nowhere near as good!
😮😮😮😮😮😮
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what are you talking about? I guarantee you nobody was laughing thru Fail Safe...ever.
That’s just one of the things I read about when researching the film.
Total nonsense being spotted by this guy
Back in 1963 it was a serious film. Max E Youngstien Produced it. I remember the movie back Then. Your opinion is your opinion. I am 71 years old Viet Nam veteran. Russia is still a threat. Max was my friend
I'll check this one out 🥸👌🔥 I recently saw Opening Night by John Cassavetes and I highly recommend it for its Litness.
I’ve seen it! I loved it! It’s definitely lit!