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directed by Sidney Lumet
USA 1964
Based on the novel "Fail-Safe" by Eugene
Burdick and Harvey Wheeler, Sidney Lumet directed this shocking masterpiece of
cold-war realism.
Due to astronomically unfortunate computer error, a flight of Strategic Air
Command (SAC) bombers originating in Alaska carry 2 nuclear warheads past what
is known as the 'fail-safe' point. With Russian military jamming their
communication they cannot be recalled. They are headed toward Moscow to drop
their bombs and complete their mission. The options of stopping them are both
limited and extremely time sensitive.
Henry Fonda portrays the President of the United States in a role he wears like
a tailor made suit. Attempts to abort the mission fail and the President is left
with no more options... aside from the unthinkable. Communicating with the aptly
crippled Secretary of Defense, various military personnel, visiting political
scientist Groeteschele (Walter Matthau) and the Russian Premier (through his his
translator 'Buck' played by Larry Hagman) a most impossible, totally
unacceptable decision is absolutely believably concluded. Stunning is an
understatement. This is without question in my mind, the best Cold-war film ever
made. The performances are outstanding, the messages are both subtle and coldly
obvious with a conclusion as eviscerating as any I can remember. I have watched
it 10 times and will continue to do so at least once a year. A great film to
introduce to friends as so few epople have seen it before. 'Hidden Gem" in the
fact that Columbia chose to release Dr. Strangelove first in 1964, and being a
darkly satiric view of similar issues, its appearance severely diminished any
impact that Fail-Safe would have opening later that same year.
out
of Fail-Safe is on the top 100 DVDs/Films LIst
Posters
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Theatrical Release: October 7th, 1964 - USA
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
DVD Review: Columbia Tri-Star (SE) - Region 1 - NTSC
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| Distribution | Columbia Tri-Star - Region 1 - NTSC | |
| Runtime | 1:52:00 | |
| Video | 1.80:1
Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 8.5 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
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NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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| Audio | Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) | |
| Subtitles | English, Spanish, French, Korean, Portuguese, Thai, None | |
| Features |
Release Information: Studio: Columbia/Tristar Studios
Aspect Ratio: Edition Details: |
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| Comments: |
Don't
bother with those silly comments made on Amazon about this release... it
is a fantastic SE DVD. Anamorphic, film grain, sharp, great contrast
with a relatively loose mono soundtrack. There are some dust and damage
marks, but they do not influence the film enjoyment. I am
convinced that this film will never look better on DVD. The Extras - a
commentary and short featurette - both just wonderful. This is one of my
most cherished DVDs.
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| DVD Box Cover |
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| Distribution | Columbia Tri-Star - Region 1 - NTSC | |
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Gary Tooze
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Many Thanks...
