Product Details

• Actors: Richard Dreyfuss, Walter Cronkite, Noah Wyle, Brian Dennehy, Sam Elliott
• Format: Black & White, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: June 5, 2007
• Run Time: 86 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000NTPG7K
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,410 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Fail Safe" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Oscar® winner George Clooney (Syriana, Ocean's Thirteen) and Emmy nominated Noah Wyle ("ER," "Librarian: Quest for the Spear") head an all-star cast in this tense and powerful Cold War thriller performed live on network TV (CBS). An electrical malfunction prevents the Pentagon from stopping a pilot (Clooney) whose jet has been mistakenly ordered to drop nuclear bombs on Russia. Facing world nuclear annihilation the American President (Richard Dreyfus) must choose between an all-out war or the planned nuclear bombing of New York City as compensation. Based on Sydney Lumet's classic 1964 "Playhouse 90" presentation from the novel by Harvey Wheeler and Eugene Burdick. Directed by Oscar-nominee Stephen Frears (The Queen, The Grifters, Dangerous Liaisons). All-star cast includes Richard Dreyfus, Noah Wyle, George Clooney, Don Cheadle, Harvey Keitel, James Cromwell, Hank Azaria, Sam Elliott.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Remake of a Chilling Movie, June 25, 2007

By 

Mark R. Garner (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fail Safe (DVD)

As someone who grew up in the shadow of the Cold War, this movie has always intrigued me. A truly scary premise especially now that the machines have taken over (sorry, that's a Cyberdyne joke).

This made-for-TV remake was broadcast live in 2000 and I was most impressed. I am a technical flaw-spotting fiend and I only spotted one glitch - I'll let you find it.

The plot is already explained so I'll address the cast - well chosen, and the production values - top-notch. Live TV is most unforgiving and this was pulled-off in good fashion.

Sadly this scenario has been supplanted by terrorism but nevertheless, for those who recall the truly excellent 1964 version, this modern take still manages to grip you with suspense. Once I finish this review I am ordering a copy. You should do the same.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can you appreciate live? That is the question, September 13, 2009

By 

Pauly (Central, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fail Safe (DVD)

Recreates the look and feel of live B&W television, back in the day, beautifully. As if there was a extra high quality episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents produced live in 1960. But in fact, it actually is live television. Which made it all the more impressive and interesting to me. I watched it live years ago and enjoyed it even more this time, without all the commercials. The atmosphere has a certain tension which I found to be fascinating. Bare in mind that this is nothing like a movie. It's like a stage play, but spread out over a large television studio with several separate sets. Nobody gets 19 takes to get it down perfectly. The overall effect will appeal to serious drama fans in particular I think. I can't stop myself from giving it one extra star for sheer originality. Fine performances, dialog, and pace. A unique and entertaining film. I don't know of anything else remotely like it.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Classic Life Television, July 5, 2007

By 

Daniel L. Whitaker Sr. (Sequim, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fail Safe (DVD)

When I ordered this DVD I expected a movie production. I don't know where I got that impression but when I watched the opening credits I remember feeling disappointed, cheated almost to the point of stopping the DVD. I am glad I didn't. It took a few minutes for me to adjust to the medium in which I was experiencing art. I am old enough to remember Studio 90, Hallmark Hall of Fame or even life productions of Howdy Doody and situation comedies. This DVD put me back in an art form that does not exist anymore and I miss it. I have read the book and now experienced the live television production. A classic with modern applications