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MTDb โ€บ Best of โ€บ 1964 โ€บ Fail Safe

Fail Safe poster

Fail Safe (1964)

โ€œIt will have you sitting on the brink of eternity!โ€

7.8/10 ยท 504 votes 1h 52m nr ThrillerDramaWar

#4 of 19 films from 1964 #97 of 2481 in thriller

Directed by Sidney Lumet ยท Written by Eugene Burdick, Harvey Wheeler, Walter Bernstein

โ–ถ Trailer, images & where to stream

Overview

Because of a technical defect an American bomber team mistakenly orders the destruction of Moscow. The President of the United States has but little time to prevent an atomic catastrophe from occurring.

Cast

Henry Fondaas The President
Walter Matthauas Prof. Groeteschele
Fritz Weaveras Col. Cascio
Larry Hagmanas Buck
Frank Overtonas Gen. Bogan
Edward Binnsas Col. Jack Grady
Dan O'Herlihyas Brig. Gen. Warren A. Black
William Hansenas Defense Secretary Swenson
Russell Hardieas Gen. Stark
Janet Wardas Helen Grady
Dom DeLuiseas TSgt. Collins
Russell Collinsas Knapp
Sorrell Bookeas Congressman Raskob
Nancy Bergas Ilsa Wolfe

Facts

Release dateOctober 7, 1964
Runtime112 min (1h 52m) โ€” about the same as the 1964 average of 109 min
GenresThriller, Drama, War
LanguageEN
IMDbtt0058083

More from Sidney Lumet

12 Angry Men12 Angry Men1957 ยท โ˜… 8.6 ยท 1h 37m Dog Day AfternoonDog Day Afternoon1975 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 2h 4m NetworkNetwork1976 ยท โ˜… 7.8 ยท 2h 2m SerpicoSerpico1973 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 2h 9m The VerdictThe Verdict1982 ยท โ˜… 7.5 ยท 2h 9m Murder on the Orient ExpressMurder on the Orient Express1974 ยท โ˜… 7.1 ยท 2h 8m Before the Devil Knows You're DeadBefore the Devil Knows You're Dead2007 ยท โ˜… 7.1 ยท 1h 57m Find Me GuiltyFind Me Guilty2006 ยท โ˜… 6.5 ยท 2h 5m

If you liked Fail Safe

Same genre, released within a few years, sorted by TMDB rating.

Army of ShadowsArmy of Shadows1969 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 2h 25m The Great EscapeThe Great Escape1963 ยท โ˜… 7.9 ยท 2h 53m The Guns of NavaroneThe Guns of Navarone1961 ยท โ˜… 7.3 ยท 2h 40m The BeguiledThe Beguiled1971 ยท โ˜… 7.0 ยท 1h 45m High and LowHigh and Low1963 ยท โ˜… 8.4 ยท 2h 22m Paths of GloryPaths of Glory1957 ยท โ˜… 8.3 ยท 1h 28m Woman in the DunesWoman in the Dunes1964 ยท โ˜… 8.2 ยท 2h 27m Investigation of a Citizen Above SuspicionInvestigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion1970 ยท โ˜… 8.2 ยท 1h 51m

Questions

How long is Fail Safe?
Fail Safe runs 112 minutes (1h 52m).
Is Fail Safe worth watching?
TMDB users give it 7.8/10 across 504 votes, which places it #4 of 19 films released in 1964 in this index (top 84%) and #97 among 2481 thriller titles.
Who directed Fail Safe?
Fail Safe was directed by Sidney Lumet. Other well-rated titles by the same director: 12 Angry Men (1957), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Network (1976).
Who stars in Fail Safe?
Henry Fonda as The President; Walter Matthau as Prof. Groeteschele; Fritz Weaver as Col. Cascio; Larry Hagman as Buck; Frank Overton as Gen. Bogan; Edward Binns as Col. Jack Grady.
What is Fail Safe rated?
It carries a nr certification in its home market. Ratings differ by country.
Where can I watch the trailer for Fail Safe?
Open the title in the MTDb app for trailers, images and streaming links: https://mv.peoplentools.com/titles/39298.

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Film data and images from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Ratings are TMDB user scores as of 2026-10-07.