Review of Fail Safe (1964) by Patrick K — 20 Sep 2016
"Fail-Safe" is a tense black-and-white film about the military and diplomatic maneuvering of President Henry Fonda as he struggles to avert a nuclear holocaust. "Fail-Safe" was made over fifty years ago, but because it was directed by master Sidney Lumet, it still has the power to keep this retiree on the edge of his seat just as much as when he first saw it as a teen.
Some classify this movie as a Cold War thriller, but its scope is wider. "Fail-Safe" concerns itself with the horror of technology gone haywire. Thus, it has much in common with all Frankenstein and all zombie movies, as well as with "Ex Machina," "War Games," "2001: A Space Odyssey," and "Robocop.".
How much of "Fail-Safe" is Hollywood fantasy? In 1964 were there really attack plans that after a minimal amount of time had absolutely no abort option? If so, this one-man-jury finds the architects of such technology guilty of the ultimate war crime: Stupidity in the First Degree.
This review of Fail Safe (1964) was written by Patrick K on 20 Sep 2016.
Fail Safe has generally received very positive reviews.
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