| Henry Fonda | President |
| Walter Matthau | Groeteschele |
| Frank Overton | Gen. Bogan |
| Edward Binns | Col. Grady |
| Dan O'Herlihy | Gen. Black |
| Fritz Weaver | Col. Cascio |
| Larry Hagman | Buck |
| William Hansen | Secretary Swenson |
| Russell Hardie | Gen. Stark |
| Russell Collins | Gordon Knapp |
| Sorrell Booke | Cong. Raskob |
| John P. Connell | Thomas |
| Frank Simpson | Sullivan |
| Hildy Parks | Betty Black |
| Janet Ward | Mrs. Grady |
| Dana Elcar | Mr. Foster |
| Stuart Germain | Mr. Cascio |
| Louise Larabee | Mrs. Cascio |
| Frieda Altman | Jennie |
| Dom DeLuise | Sgt. Collins |
| Nancy Berg Ilsa | Wolfe |
| Sidney Lumet | Director, Producer |
| Walter Bernstein | Screenwriter |
| Albert Brenner | Art Director |
| Harry Buchman | Makeup |
| J.C. Delaney | Set Decoration/Design |
| Harry Falk | Asst. Director |
| Gerald Hirschfeld | Cinematographer |
| Storyboard Inc | Special Effects |
| Anna Hill Johnstone | Costumes/Costume Designer |
| Charles H. Maguire | Associate Producer |
| Ralph Rosenblum | Editor |
| Max E. Youngstein | Producer |
During the 60's there was a real chance that someone would "push the button" and fry a good portion of the human race.It is hard to say how close or how many times we came close.
"Fail Safe" is the story of the failure of technology that is supposed to protect us. A US bomber gets past its fail safe point and is heading to bomb Moscow. Everything possible is done to stop it.
There is a high degree of tension in this movie. It was filmed in black and white which adds to the tension. It has many great actors. I don't want to give away any of the movie, but it is a must see.
The most interesting character is played by Walter Matthau. He is a college professor who believes that people like himself are more important than the average citizen and therefore should be saved to help repopulate the human race, because of his superior intelligence.
Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
A disturbing film, thought provoking, but, in places, not aging very well. It does represent very neartly the hair trigger anxiety of the Cold War, a topic that the folks on the ground deal with in a marvelously clinical fashion, and with psychological unsettling in the bomber. I suppose the point is forced in places, and I don't want to call this movie mediocre, because it scared me half to death when I saw it - as a kid. Watching it later the grim feel of the movie becomes a little monotonous. Buy it, but also buy Dr. Strangelove if you want the full range.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
This is what happens when we place more faith in our machines than in our fellow man.Having said that,this is an intense film made to feel even more'real' by the lack of 'mood' music.The final scene is the most poignant I can think of,what with the President and General Black both aware of the sacrifices they will make.And that final countdown... there's no more for me to say.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 20, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted May 27, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Overview