Fail Safe Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: It’s the End of the World as They Know It (and No One Feels Fine)

In January 1964, filmgoers could see a Cold War story about the frantic negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union when a squadron of U.S. Air Force bombers is erroneously sent to drop a nuclear bomb on Moscow. Based on Peter George’s Red Alert, Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, anchored by comic genius Peter Sellers in three roles, is arguably the funniest political satire of all time.

Nine months later, filmgoers could again see a Cold War story about the frantic negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union when a squadron of U.S. Air Force bombers is erroneously sent to drop a nuclear bomb on Moscow. Based on Eugene Burdick & Harvey Wheeler’s 1962 novel of the same name, Sidney Lumet’s Fail Safe is a dramatic version of those events. While not as revered as Strangelove, Fail Safe is a compelling, realistic portrayal of two countries trying to avert a nuclear war.

When an unidentified object is discovered over U.S. airspace, military jets respond but are soon called off when it’s discovered to be a civilian airliner. However, a computer error causes one group of Vindicator bombers, led by Colonel Jack Grady (Edward Binns), to receive orders to drop a nuclear bomb on Moscow. Unfortunately, the Soviets have new technology to jam radio signals and the pilots can’t be told of the error. Fighter jets are activated to shoot down the bombers, but due to the distance required to catch them, it’s a suicide mission.

Back in Washington, D.C. at a previously scheduled conference about nuclear weapons, the attendees discuss how they should respond. Dr. Groeteschele (Walter Matthau), a fervent anti-communist, thinks the U.S. should take advantage of the mistake to kill as many communists as possible since they are the enemy of America and its ideals. General Black (Dan O’Herlihy), who has been experiencing a recurring nightmare, disagrees because murdering innocent Muscovites will forever tarnish America and its ideals.

The President (Henry Fonda) calls the Russian Chairman to inform him that the bombers were not intentionally sent even though he is unable to call them back. Naturally, the Chairman is suspicious. After the President orders military members to work with the Soviets to stop the bombers, which is not taken well by everyone, the two leaders/countries work together to avert disaster. But will it be in time?

Aside from a few scenes, Lumet shoots Fail Safe like a documentary, which adds an authenticity to the story. Walter Bernstein’s script presents the characters’ different positions evenhandedly, allowing the audience to form their own opinion about who is right. The plot evolves in such a believable manner that the tension increases as the options to stop the bombers diminish. The possibility of this actually occurring gives the film the feel of a horror movie.

Fonda mainly talks on the phone with Larry Hagman sitting next to him as translator. The scenes are still, two men sitting in chairs, yet captivating as the viewer senses the anguish the President feels as the decisions of the job weigh heavy on him. Matthau is strong in his antagonist role, spouting views that some will agree with while others will consider him a villain. The smaller roles are rounded out by a talented cast than bring the characters to life.

The video has been given a 1080p/MPEG-4 AVC encoded transfer at its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The liner notes state, “This new 4K digital restoration was undertaken by Sony Pictures Entertainment, with restoration services provided by Cineric in New York. A new digital transfer was created at Cineric on the facility’s proprietary 4K high-dynamic-range wet-gate film scanner, primarily from the 35mm original camera negative.” The blacks are inky and don’t crush. There’s a good variety of grays. Film grain is apparent. On the archival footage, it increases and haloing occurs on lights coming off planes. In the room the President calls the Chairman, the harsh light causes increased grain, which borders on posterization. Shimmering can be seen on video screens in the command center.

The audio is available in LPCM Mono. The liner notes state, “The original monaural soundtrack was remastered at Deluxe in Hollywood, under the supervision of Bob Simmons.” Dialogue is clear as are the minimal effects. There is no score. The track sounds free defect or signs of age.

The Special Features are:

• Commentary – Recorded for the 2000 DVD release, Lumet delivers an authoritative commentary about various aspects of the film and its creation.
• J. Hoberman (HD, 20 min) – Recorded for Criterion in 2019, critic J. Hoberman talks about the source novel and the times the book and film were created.
• Fail Safe Revisited (16 min) – Also from 2000, Lumet, Bernstein, O’Herlihy, and George Clooney, star and producer of Fail Safe (2000), which aired live on TV, look back on the film.

While Fail Safe has been overshadowed by its comedic cousin for decades, it deserves to shine in the spotlight. Hopefully, its recent addition to the Criterion Collection will bring the film and its makers the attention it deserves.