Fail Safe Reviews

A Hit

Cold war drama with a similar storyline to Dr Strangelove, but without the comedy.

The sense of 1960s TV theatre is real - this is a recording of the live b/w TV broadcast. Moving performances from a brilliant starry cast remind you just how good these actors can be.

America's climate of fear is as relevant today as it was then. Depressing to think that no real President would have the nobility to make the kind of agonising sacrifice that Richard Dreyfus does here.

Not be missed

This film is amazing for a number of reasons.

1. Its shot in black and white which adds to the emotion of the film.

2. It was originally filmed and broadcast live in the USA, which is quite amazing considering how well it has been made.

3. The acting is nothing shot of spectacular, especially Richard Dreyfuss as the president, absolutely superb.

The film had me (literally) on the edge of my seat at the end - usually I don't watch a film in one go, I get fidgety and have to do something else and come back; but for this film I was glued to my seat.

Completely unmissable – defiantly one that the advocates of the mutually assured destruction (MAD) idea of nuclear warfare should think about.

This is great. I haven't seen the original but would very much like to. This was effectively made-for-tv in production, but the cast alone is top notch. The tension is palpable and the actions believable under extreme circumstances. I would also recommend twelve angry men if you like this film (or visa versa).

Wonderful

This was a complete surprise for me. From the outset I hated it; the first scene made me wanna turn off and watch something else. However, if you get past that you realise that you are watching some superb actors acting out a marvelous play totally live. You hear fluffed lines, adlibs, the works.

Absolutely wonderful, and yet saddening too.

This was a good concept that does not quite pay off. There are huge names in the film that fail to deliver memorable scenes to the viewer. Probably let down by a lacklustre script and the pressure of live t.v. what should be a tense film wittles down to an average peice of drama.

Interesting

Interesting as it's all done live. It's flawed as when it boils down to it, the original is *much* better !

Not as good as the original!

Why did they bother to update what was already a thought-provoking film?

Excellent

Wasn't sure for the first 5 minutes, but after that it grips and doesn't let go. A live TV broadcast in the States this plays like a stage play. But don't let that put you off. Brit director Stephen Frears weaves a gripping story and the cast is to die for. Terrific intelligent filmmaking for a change!

Do n't bother

One to miss, it did nt work and was dreary.

A gripping, well-crafted story, although some of the acting obviously suffers from the fact that this was recorded as a live TV special....really curious to watch the superior rated (by IMDB users anyway) Sidney Lumet original adaptation o f the novel (when it is available on DVD). Well worth a look, although you might want to wait for the original....