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Fail Safe

Original title: Fail-Safe
  • 1964
  • Approved
  • 1h 52m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
26K
YOUR RATING
Fail Safe (1964)
Watch Trailer [OV]
Play trailer2:56
1 Video
99+ Photos
EpicPolitical DramaPolitical ThrillerDramaThriller

A technical malfunction sends American bombers to Moscow to deliver a nuclear attack. Can all-out war be averted?A technical malfunction sends American bombers to Moscow to deliver a nuclear attack. Can all-out war be averted?A technical malfunction sends American bombers to Moscow to deliver a nuclear attack. Can all-out war be averted?

  • Director
    • Sidney Lumet
  • Writers
    • Walter Bernstein
    • Eugene Burdick
    • Harvey Wheeler
  • Stars
    • Henry Fonda
    • Walter Matthau
    • Fritz Weaver
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    8.0/10
    26K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sidney Lumet
    • Writers
      • Walter Bernstein
      • Eugene Burdick
      • Harvey Wheeler
    • Stars
      • Henry Fonda
      • Walter Matthau
      • Fritz Weaver
    • 199User reviews
    • 57Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Trailer [OV]
    Trailer 2:56
    Trailer [OV]

    Photos182

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    + 176
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    Top cast26

    Edit
    Henry Fonda
    Henry Fonda
    • The President
    Walter Matthau
    Walter Matthau
    • Dr. Groeteschele
    Fritz Weaver
    Fritz Weaver
    • Col. Cascio
    Dan O'Herlihy
    Dan O'Herlihy
    • Gen. Black
    Frank Overton
    Frank Overton
    • Gen. Bogan
    Edward Binns
    Edward Binns
    • Col. Grady
    Larry Hagman
    Larry Hagman
    • Buck
    William Hansen
    William Hansen
    • Secretary Swenson
    Russell Hardie
    Russell Hardie
    • Gen. Stark
    Russell Collins
    Russell Collins
    • Knapp
    Sorrell Booke
    Sorrell Booke
    • Congressman Raskob
    Nancy Berg
    Nancy Berg
    • Ilsa Wolfe
    John Connell
    John Connell
    • Thomas
    Frank Simpson
    • Sullivan
    Hildy Parks
    Hildy Parks
    • Betty Black
    Janet Ward
    Janet Ward
    • Mrs. Grady
    Dom DeLuise
    Dom DeLuise
    • Sgt. Collins
    • (as Dom DeLouise)
    Dana Elcar
    Dana Elcar
    • Foster
    • Director
      • Sidney Lumet
    • Writers
      • Walter Bernstein
      • Eugene Burdick
      • Harvey Wheeler
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The "computer-generated" image on the control-room screen (including the map of the world, the planes and the explosions) was entirely drawn and animated by hand.
    • Goofs
      The end credits list General Black's wife as Betty, but in the film he addresses her as Katie and in a radio conversation, the President asks Black, "Are Kathryn and the kids in New York?"
    • Quotes

      US Ambassador: [over the phone] I can hear the sound of explosions from the north east. The sky is very bright. All lit up.

      [phone melts and high pitched whining sound starts]

    • Crazy credits
      [FINAL CREDIT]: The producers of this film wish to stress that it is the stated position of the Department of Defense and the United States Air Force that a rigidly enforced system of safeguards and controls insure that occurrences such as those depicted in this story cannot happen
    • Connections
      Featured in Henry Fonda: The Man and His Movies (1982)

    User reviews199

    Featured review

    Intensely Powerful

    This movie was great. It may seem boring to many younger teenage crowds, but you need to take into consideration the era in which this was made. The SFX were terrific for 1964. It was heart pounding and very scary at times. The acting skills of the entire cast are superb. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants to know more about the cold war. 4.5 of 5 stars!
    • izzy4reel
    • Nov 6, 2001
    • Permalink

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    FAQ16

    • How long is Fail Safe?Powered by Alexa
    • What is this movie's connection to Dr. Strangelove?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 7, 1964 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Límite de seguridad
    • Filming locations
      • Westbury, Long Island, New York, USA(Roosevelt Field: President's bunker)
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $3,924,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 52 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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