Fail-Safe (1964)

At the height of the Cold War, during the standard investigation of a possible incursion into US airspace by the Soviets, the nuclear bombers that are always in the air are sent towards their “Fail-Safe” points, about which they orbit while waiting to be sent to their targets if a preemptive attack by the USSR is confirmed. The alert turns out to be false and the various flights are recalled, but a technical error occurs, and one flight of 6 aircraft, armed with multiple 20 megaton nuclear weapons, passes beyond its “Fail-Safe” point, and heads towards its assigned target of Moscow. With the World racing towards WWIII, can the US President and Soviet Premier overcome their distrust, and avoid nuclear annihilation?!

I was thoroughly in suspense throughout this magnificent film. I almost felt as if I was watching World War III unfurl like the Gulf War did on CNN, it was that convincing. Fonda as the President and Matthau as the Professor, in truly memorable performances, are superb in their roles and indeed the entire cast is strongly competent. Besides the unforgettable ending, by way of the President's unthinkable concession, are the arguments and attitudes of the Professor and Colonel Cascio. At the time it must have been very tempting to many hawks in Cold War administrations to end the deadlock whenever a seemingly decisive opening presented itself. I strongly recommend this film for its believablity and realism and even the final credits!