We hear a lot about Russian interference these days but the
threat of Russia to attack us has decreased over the years, in large part due
to their coming apart during the Reagan years. But there was a time shortly
after the end of WWII when tensions with Russia were high and the fear of
nuclear war was ever present. School children went through drills of “duck and
cover”, people built bomb shelters and movies took on the task of warning what
could happen. One of the most classic of those films was FAIL SAFE and it’s
been released by Criterion on blu-ray.
FAIL SAFE is a what if style film, a look at what could
happen if things went bad. A group of high level people are visiting Strategic
Air Command when an alarm goes off noting a plane entering American airspace.
This sets in motion the protection of the country and preparations for a
retaliatory strike. Our country has planes flying at all times with coded
instructions of what to do in case of an attack.
Fortunately it turns out to be a misguided airliner and the
high level code is stopped. But due to a
computer glitch one of the planes doesn’t receive their orders to stop and
instead follows their coded instructions, to bomb Moscow. Attempts to contact
the plane are thwarted by a new jamming system the Russians have put in place.
The President of the United States (Henry Fonda) does
everything in his power to stop the plane. He eventually contacts his
counterpart in Russia to let them know what is transpiring. Years of mistrust are
in place though and these two men must work together to stop the plane. We send
our own men in jets to stop it but they fail. We provide information on it to
the Russians. It is the last chance of stopping the bomber. The question is
posed, what happens if they can’t? Do the Russians declare war and all out
nuclear attacks begin? Do they allow this one bomb to explode? Or is there
another option?
Directed by the amazing Sidney Lumet FAIL SAFE is one of the
most intriguing and tension fueled films ever made. Combining the dialogue with
silence it helps increase the tension incrementally until you feel your skin
begin to crawl. No music throughout the movie intensifies that feeling.
In addition to that much of it takes place in small rooms
where people are arguing back and forth over what to do. Only the SAC center is
larger and filled with people at computer stations and a large screen
displaying what is happening at all moments. A conference room has two sides of
the issue arguing what to do with political professor and advisor Dr.
Groeteschele (Walter Matthau) urging us to go to war and take out the Communist
country while we have the upper hand of surprise as Gen. Black (Dan O’Herlihy)
argues for more peaceful measures. It displays a different time in our country
when you realize these roles would be reversed in today’s world.
The scenes with Fonda as the President take place in a
smaller room, one with only a desk, two chairs and a phone that interpreter
Buck (Larry Hagman) can hear and use to help the conversation between the two
leaders. Nothing but the phone conversation and discussions between the two
characters take place here. The weight of the Presidency has never been
depicted near what it is here.
Criterion has pulled out all stops with this release
beginning with a new 4k restoration of the film making its black and white
contrasting images pop on the screen. Extras include and audio commentary from
2000 featuring director Lumet, a new interview with film critic J. Hoberman on
1960s nuclear paranoia and Cold War films, “FAIL SAFE Revisited” a short
documentary from 200 including interviews with Lumet, screenwriter Walter
Bernstein and actor O’Herlihy and an essay by critic Bilge Ebiri.
The film is considered a masterpiece and it’s easy to see
why. It’s been available before but never as clean, clear and crisp as you will
find it here. An important piece of not just film history but of our country
itself, this is a movie that should be seen by all. It’s also one that should
become a part of any true film lover’s collection.
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