Review of Fail Safe (1964) by Scott R — 10 Aug 2013
One of my all time favorite movies. The movie is raw tension without ever leaving the confines of interior sets. The acting is phenomenal. Henry Fonda is perfect as the president. Larry Hagman shows his ability as an actor when you compare this role with his eventual role as J.
R. Ewing. Dom Delouise even makes premiere as a very put-upon technical sergeant. I would like to say that this movie is an example of how tension and suspense can be created without explosion and unbelievable situations, but I think this movie must be somewhat of an anomaly because nothing comes close to it.
The only thing I have seen that can match the same atmosphere is the brief part of Close Encounter of the Third Kind with the air traffic controllers (which is my favorite part of that movie). Fail-Safe is not for everyone though.
You have to have an understanding of the nuclear tension between the USA and the old USSR to fully grasp the scope of the dilemma. I can not count the number of times I have watched this movie, and I will stop and watch it every time it comes on.
This review of Fail Safe (1964) was written by Scott R on 10 Aug 2013.
Fail Safe has generally received very positive reviews.
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