![]() For most of the '50s, it was dominated by low-budget science fiction films exploiting the action and horror elements of life after a nuclear holocaust, though Arch Oboler's Five (1951) and Stanley Kramer's On the Beach (1959) attempted more thoughtful treatments of post-nuclear landscapes. Starting with The Beginning or the End (1947), MGM's fictionalized depiction of the events leading to the dropping of the first atomic bomb on Japan, the genre has encompassed semi-documentaries, serious dramas and, in the case of Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, one of two features that made 1964 the most important year for the genre. Collins), Dana Elcar (Foster)įail Safe is a key work in a genre of films exploring the destructive potential of nuclear warfare and, with Dr. Raskob), Hildy Parks (Betty Black), Janet Ward (Mrs. Stark), Russell Collins (Knapp), Sorrell Booke (Cong. Cascio), Henry Fonda (The President), Larry Hagman (Buck), Russell Hardie (Gen. Black), Walter Matthau (Groeteschele), Frank Overton (Gen. With no way of bringing the planes back, politicians, military and scientists debate whether to launch a preemptive strike, try to take down our own planes or find some way to appease the Soviets should any of the nuclear warheads make it through.īased on the novel by Eugene Burdick and Harvey WheelerĬast: Dan O'Herlihy (Gen. Recall orders go out when the plane is identified, but one squadron mistakenly receives an attack order that can't be rescinded once they enter Soviet air space, where radio reception is jammed. planes.Īs an unidentified aircraft approaches the U.S., the Air Force sends fighter planes to intercept it and prepare for retaliatory action. To convince the Soviet Union and the rest of the world that the bombing was a gross error, the President orders the atomic destruction of New York City by U. While the President is talking to the Russian premier on the hot line, Grady releases the bombs over Moscow. Despite radio orders from the President to return and the pleadings of his own wife, Grady refuses to alter his course. One plane, piloted by Colonel Grady, manages to get through. In an effort to help destroy the deadly planes, the President orders General Bogan to release top-secret information to the Russians. The President, in accordance with Black's recommendation, orders the planes shot down and uses the hot line to inform the Russian leader, who is aware of the approaching bombers, that the attack is a mistake. ![]() Groeteschele, a civilian adviser, recommends that the full power of the United States be unleashed against the Soviet Union, but General Black insists that all steps must be taken to avoid world holocaust. The President and the Pentagon War Room are informed, and the President listens to the Pentagon discuss the emergency. Due to a fault in the electronic system, however, one wing of bombers passes the fail-safe point and heads for Moscow. An emergency arises and bombers from Strategic Air Command head for the fail-safe point, but they are called back when the situation is clarified.
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