Fail Safe (1964) Review: A Cautionary Tale of Nuclear War

Sidney Lumet's Fail Safe, released in 1964, is a thought-provoking film that tells the story of a nuclear holocaust through a live broadcast. The movie has been restored to its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and presented on a dual-layer disc, sourced from a new 4K restoration scanned from the 35mm original camera negative.

The grain is rendered brilliantly throughout the film, with only minor imperfections in the archival footage. The black-and-white presentation is sharp, clean, and film-like, thanks to its perfectly tuned contrast that allows for bright whites and dark blacks without blooming or crushing.

The story of Fail Safe is a cautionary tale about nuclear war, but it never tries to beat its purpose into the viewer's head. The script is excellent, and the story is even better. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the film and was honestly moved by the ending. Without giving away any spoilers, I must say that I felt a strong sense of tension and urgency while watching this movie.

The performances in Fail Safe are outstanding, with Richard Dreyfuss, Harvey Keitel, and Hank Azaria delivering particularly strong performances. The entire ensemble is impressive, given that they had to perform live on national television without any retakes or edits.

One thing that stands out about Fail Safe is its ability to capture the sense of a Cold War drama. From the set design to the costumes to the direction, everything comes together to create an atmosphere that feels authentic and immersive. The choice to air the film in black and white adds to this effect, making it feel like a true product of its time.

Overall, Fail Safe is a must-see for anyone who enjoys classic films or is interested in nuclear war and the Cold War era. Its restoration is a real accomplishment, and I highly recommend watching it on the Criterion Collection dual-layer disc.

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