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IMDbPro

Fail Safe

  • TV Movie
  • 20002000
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
6K
YOUR RATING
George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Hank Azaria, James Cromwell, Richard Dreyfuss, Sam Elliott, Brian Dennehy, Noah Wyle, John Diehl, Norman Lloyd, and Bill Smitrovich in Fail Safe (2000)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:21
1 Video
50 Photos
  • Drama
  • Thriller
Cold War tensions climb to a fever pitch when a U.S. bomber is accidentally ordered to drop a nuclear warhead on Moscow.Cold War tensions climb to a fever pitch when a U.S. bomber is accidentally ordered to drop a nuclear warhead on Moscow.Cold War tensions climb to a fever pitch when a U.S. bomber is accidentally ordered to drop a nuclear warhead on Moscow.
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
6K
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Stephen Frears
    • Martin Pasetta
  • Writers
    • Eugene Burdick(novel)
    • Harvey Wheeler(novel)
    • Walter Bernstein(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Walter Cronkite
    • Richard Dreyfuss
    • Noah Wyle
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Stephen Frears
    • Martin Pasetta
  • Writers
    • Eugene Burdick(novel)
    • Harvey Wheeler(novel)
    • Walter Bernstein(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Walter Cronkite
    • Richard Dreyfuss
    • Noah Wyle
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 94User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 3 wins & 11 nominations total

    Videos1

    Fail Safe
    Trailer 1:21
    Fail Safe

    Photos50

    Fail Safe (2000)
    Fail Safe (2000)
    Fail Safe (2000)
    Fail Safe (2000)
    Fail Safe (2000)
    Fail Safe (2000)
    Johnny Bolton in Fail Safe (2000)
    George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Hank Azaria, Don Cheadle, James Cromwell, Richard Dreyfuss, Sam Elliott, Brian Dennehy, Noah Wyle, John Diehl, Norman Lloyd, and Bill Smitrovich in Fail Safe (2000)
    John Diehl in Fail Safe (2000)
    John Diehl in Fail Safe (2000)
    Don Cheadle in Fail Safe (2000)
    George Clooney in Fail Safe (2000)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Walter Cronkite
    Walter Cronkite
    • Self - Hostas Self - Host
    Richard Dreyfuss
    Richard Dreyfuss
    • Presidentas President
    Noah Wyle
    Noah Wyle
    • Buckas Buck
    Brian Dennehy
    Brian Dennehy
    • Gen. Boganas Gen. Bogan
    Sam Elliott
    Sam Elliott
    • Congressman Raskobas Congressman Raskob
    James Cromwell
    James Cromwell
    • Gordon Knappas Gordon Knapp
    John Diehl
    John Diehl
    • Col. Cascioas Col. Cascio
    Hank Azaria
    Hank Azaria
    • Prof. Groetescheleas Prof. Groeteschele
    Norman Lloyd
    Norman Lloyd
    • Defense Secretary Swensonas Defense Secretary Swenson
    Bill Smitrovich
    Bill Smitrovich
    • Gen. Starkas Gen. Stark
    • (as William Smitrovich)
    Don Cheadle
    Don Cheadle
    • Lt. Jimmy Pierceas Lt. Jimmy Pierce
    George Clooney
    George Clooney
    • Col. Jack Gradyas Col. Jack Grady
    Harvey Keitel
    Harvey Keitel
    • Brig. Gen. Warren Blackas Brig. Gen. Warren Black
    Doris Belack
    Doris Belack
    • Mrs. Johnsonas Mrs. Johnson
    Grant Heslov
    Grant Heslov
    • Jimmyas Jimmy
    Tommy Hinkley
    Tommy Hinkley
    • SM Sgt. Collinsas SM Sgt. Collins
    Thom Mathews
    Thom Mathews
    • Billy Flynnas Billy Flynn
    Cynthia Ettinger
    Cynthia Ettinger
    • Betty Blackas Betty Black
    • Directors
      • Stephen Frears
      • Martin Pasetta
    • Writers
      • Eugene Burdick(novel)
      • Harvey Wheeler(novel)
      • Walter Bernstein(teleplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The movie was performed on live television in black and white, and required two soundstages on the Warner Brothers studio lot. Harvey Keitel (Brigadier General Warren Black) had to run between the two stages for some of his scenes.
    • Goofs
      When Buck begins translating, he begins speaking *immediately* upon hearing the Soviet premier speak, betraying the fact that he's just reciting lines in a script. A real translator would need to listen to most of the first sentence before speaking, especially with languages that place the verb at or near the end of the sentence, as most languages other than English do.
    • Quotes

      Col. Jack Grady, Command Pilot Group 6: [answering the phone] Tommy?

      Tommy Grady, Col. Grady's Son: Dad! How long is this one gonna be?

      Col. Jack Grady, Command Pilot Group 6: Shouldn't be too late.

      Tommy Grady, Col. Grady's Son: Are you sure?

      Col. Jack Grady, Command Pilot Group 6: I'm positive.

      Tommy Grady, Col. Grady's Son: Only fools are positive.

      Col. Jack Grady, Command Pilot Group 6: Are you sure?

      Tommy Grady, Col. Grady's Son: I'm positive.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (2000)

    User reviews94

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    A nailbiter.
    As you view Fail Safe, you can feel the tension mounting as a nuclear nightmare unfolds in front of you. The story deals with a squadron of bombers who receive a go code as a result of a mechanical error. The rest of the movie is filled with anticipation and tension as the president tries to convince the Russian premier that the bombers are there because of a mistake, and the only way to preserve Moscow is to destroy the bombers. To talk about this movie to those who haven't seen it would ruin the story. What I can say is that once you start watching, you will not be able to turn away. The acting from all the performers keeps you watching as they propel the action forward. The black and white format gives it a feel of reality, and the omission of music adds to the effect . You know it's fiction but something in the back of your mind says that this could happen, and thus you're compelled to watch. For those who didn't see this in April, watch for a re-airing. Better yet, wait till it hits the home video circuit. That way, you'll be able to watch this captivating, tension filled, nailbiter with no interruptions
    helpful•19
    4
    • bat-5
    • Jul 12, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 9, 2000 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Zona de seguridad
    • Filming locations
      • Stage 15, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Maysville Pictures
      • Warner Bros. Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 26 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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    George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Hank Azaria, James Cromwell, Richard Dreyfuss, Sam Elliott, Brian Dennehy, Noah Wyle, John Diehl, Norman Lloyd, and Bill Smitrovich in Fail Safe (2000)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Fail Safe (2000) officially released in Canada in English?
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