I remember seeing the film when I was fifteen and being stunned by Walter Matthau. At that point I only knew his comic work, this is one of the most frightening performances he ever gave. I was also impressed by brief turns by Fritz Weaver and Dom Deluise.

I didn't know Lumet directed it but that hardly shocks me: Lumet was one of the best directors when it came to doing not only play adaptations but also one set dramas (Dog Day Afternoon). I also watched the live drama (George Clooney was attempting to produce what amounted to a Playhouse 90 production for 2000) and it was no less riveting and frightening then it had been in 1964, The performances in both were incredible: (Hank Azaria was just as good as Matthau) and pros like Norman Lloyd and Harvey Keitel were incredible.

Dr. Strangelove is the classic film even though its very dark comedy. But Fail-Safe even thought its tragedy, actually ends on a note of optimism. I remember Henry Fonda's last line to the Russian premier before the bombs drop on Moscow. "What we put in front of each other we can removie," he says. That must have been a sign of hope during the Cold War that Kubrick didn't have and I find some glimmer in the fact that Lumet's version seems to have prevailed (at least so far)