A computer malfunction triggers the transmission of nuclear attack codes to a United States bomber squadron to nuke Moscow. It's up to the shrewd and diplomatic President (superbly played with conviction and authority by Richard Dreyfuss), his advisers, and various military leaders to avert a major catastrophe. Director Stephen Frears, working from a taut, smart, and gripping script by Walter Bernstein, relates the riveting story at a swift pace, generates a tremendous amount of nerve-rattling suspense, astutely nails the paranoia of the 60's Cold War era, and maintains a serious tone throughout. Moreover, Frears warrants extra praise for telling the still relevant narrative in an admirably economical straightforward manner and sustaining an uncompromisingly tough sensibility that stays fiercely true to itself right to the devastating downbeat end. The sterling acting by the top-rate cast keeps everything humming: George Clooney as genial and dutiful fighter pilot Col. Jack Grady, Hank Azaria as the coldly pragmatic Prof. Groeteschele, Noah Wyle as eager translator Buck, Harvey Keitel as the conflicted Brig. Gen. Warren Black, Brian Dennehy as the bluff, no-nonsense Gen. Brogan, John Diehl as the ramrod Col. Cascio, Don Cheadle as by-the-book fighter co-pilot Lt. Jimmy Pierce, Sam Elliott as the hearty Congressman Raskob, James Cromwell as the cagey Gordon Knapp, and Norman Lloyd as the sly Defense Secretary Swenson. The total absence of any music and John A. Alonzo's sharp black and white cinematography gives this picture a strong sense of stark documentary-like realism. A real on the money harrowing and effective nail-biter.

Most disappointing performances by Keitel and Cromwell.We don't know how long was spent in preparation, but there were three performances that were not executed as well as I would have hoped.Right from the start, Keitel's performance appears slow... it isn't immediately obvious, but it becomes apparent that this is not a one of - and not part of the act. Very disappointing live performance.To be fair, nobody appeared to fluff their lines and there were some very remakable performances. Even so, nerves and undue delay in reciting lines can quickly break the illusion.Thankfully Dreyfuss, Dennehy and Clooney there to make up for it..! Sterling performances.The occasional 'long' pause, and a stiff performance from Keitel marr the live performance. However, other than that, excellent work.This is what the small screen has been missing for some time now. If you get the chance... particularly if you don't know the story, you really must see this. Yes, some of this is old -hat rhetoric... but it's still - at its most basic - moving to this day.

I was excited to find the Fail Safe DVD because of all the great actor names involved. An absolute power-house cast. However, this was one movie which should have been done primarily with unknowns. It had a moral message to deliver, and most of the actors had very little reason to be there. I liked Dreyfuss, Elliott and Dennehy (and Keitel, a bit, and Clooney, a bit), but the rest were wasted and had hardly anything to do. The movie was very low-key, sporting an outdated narrative style. A disappointment, overall.Turning to the moral message; for a President to order the nuking of one of his own major cities is totally unbelievable. However, the movie was like a stage play with the message that the only truly ethical thing to do in such a situation would be this. Which is, I think, an acceptable message for the movie to have, even if it is rather far-fecthed in terms of the real world. So the plot itself was okay, but the style of execution was no success as far as I am concerned, and my disappointment in a project so packed with great actors remains substantial. It was an interesting exercise, but I can't recommend buying the DVD. Maybe catch the movie on TV sometime instead.My rating: 6 out of 10.

I personally think this is a great movie considering it was a live broadcast...granted, the acting wasn't perfect, but it didn't really need to be. Brian Dennehy, Harvey Keitel and Richard Dreyfuss give the best performances, but that's not to say anything about the rest of this great cast. The acting is never bad...just not Oscar caliber. Although this is obviously a dated concept, and is shot in B&W to show that, the tension is still there. For the times this film is written about it is a very "real" situation. I have not seen the original so I can't say which is better (though usually originals are better) but i do suggest you watch this film and take in (as one historian spoke of it) "the texture and not the details."