Fail Safe
Because of a technical defect an American bomber team mistakenly orders the destruction of Moscow. The President of the United States has but little time to prevent an atomic catastrophe from occurring.
Critics Sentiment
Oblivious New Yorkers shown before atomic bomb incinerates city
Groeteschele dismisses nuclear war fears at dinner party
The film builds steadily from its opening dinner party discussion to the devastating finale, with the most significant jump occurring when the President proposes his eye for an eye solution.
Critics consistently praised Fail Safe as a masterpiece of Cold War tension that builds relentlessly from a technical malfunction to an unthinkable moral choice. The film's stark realism, exceptional performances particularly by Henry Fonda, and documentary-like approach earned widespread acclaim. Reviewers universally cited the devastating final sequence as among the most powerful endings in cinema history.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 24
Henry Fonda
The President
Walter Matthau
Prof. Groeteschele
Fritz Weaver
Col. Cascio
Larry Hagman
Buck
Frank Overton
Gen. Bogan
Edward Binns
Col. Jack Grady
Dan O'Herlihy
Brig. Gen. Warren A. Black
William Hansen
Defense Secretary Swenson
Russell Hardie
Gen. Stark
Janet Ward
Helen Grady
Dom DeLuise
TSgt. Collins
Russell Collins
Knapp
Sorrell Booke
Congressman Raskob
Nancy Berg
Ilsa Wolfe
John Connell
Thomas
Frank Simpson
Sullivan
Hildy Parks
Betty Black
Dana Elcar
Foster
Louise Larabee
Mrs. Cascio
Stewart Germain
Mr. Cascio
Crew
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