Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

Ketrivie It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

Sienna-Rose Mclaughlin The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Deanna There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Parker Lewis Three years before this live rendition of Fail Safe, George Clooney led the ER cast (the Michael Crichton one, not the 1980s comedy one) in a live broadcast of Ambush, the fourth season opener.This is a compelling drama and one almost blooper came to mind. It was when the maid almost kind of fell down the stairs carrying the washing basket. That would have been an interesting blooper for sure. The ending was very tragic, and I wonder why New York was fingered to be the sacrificial city. Why not another city? You can imagine the President didn't even bother campaigning in New York at the following presidential election, ceding it to his opponent, and losing a significant chunk of the Electoral College vote.

Woodyanders A computer malfunction triggers the transmission of nuclear attack codes to a United States bomber squadron to nuke Moscow. It's up to the shrewd and diplomatic President (superbly played with conviction and authority by Richard Dreyfuss), his advisers, and various military leaders to avert a major catastrophe. Director Stephen Frears, working from a taut, smart, and gripping script by Walter Bernstein, relates the riveting story at a swift pace, generates a tremendous amount of nerve-rattling suspense, astutely nails the paranoia of the 60's Cold War era, and maintains a serious tone throughout. Moreover, Frears warrants extra praise for telling the still relevant narrative in an admirably economical straightforward manner and sustaining an uncompromisingly tough sensibility that stays fiercely true to itself right to the devastating downbeat end. The sterling acting by the top-rate cast keeps everything humming: George Clooney as genial and dutiful fighter pilot Col. Jack Grady, Hank Azaria as the coldly pragmatic Prof. Groeteschele, Noah Wyle as eager translator Buck, Harvey Keitel as the conflicted Brig. Gen. Warren Black, Brian Dennehy as the bluff, no-nonsense Gen. Brogan, John Diehl as the ramrod Col. Cascio, Don Cheadle as by-the-book fighter co-pilot Lt. Jimmy Pierce, Sam Elliott as the hearty Congressman Raskob, James Cromwell as the cagey Gordon Knapp, and Norman Lloyd as the sly Defense Secretary Swenson. The total absence of any music and John A. Alonzo's sharp black and white cinematography gives this picture a strong sense of stark documentary-like realism. A real on the money harrowing and effective nail-biter.

buiger Very, very good! Also interesting id the idea to film it live, so it is basically a theatrical piece... A good screenplay, great acting and a gripping premise!The only reason it doesn't get a higher grade is because it is basically a copy of older films, films which have been done better in the past by both Sidney Lumet (also called 'Fail Safe') and Stanley Kubrick ('Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb')...All in all, this movie was fun to watch and maybe this 'rerun' is a great opportunity for the younger generation that hasn't seen the original movies to become familiar with the subject.

agentjoshw I have always liked films that immerse me in the world of the characters. At first blush, this re-make jumps all over the place, but the story itself is so compelling, that the jumps from place to place do not make any difference. This on its own is a wonderful piece of television. I'm almost glad that there are commercial breaks in this film. Doubt I could take all that pressure.Richard Dryfuss turns in a pressure-packed performance as the president and George Clooney is wonderful in his role. Brian Dennehy was great. His presence alone was enough for the picture.I must say though that this review is slightly biased because I love live theatre. So seeing this performed live was more of a case-study, but I loved the fact that they gave this the "Playhouse 90" treatment. I doubt this would be as serious in color than in B&W. And the live portion of it made sure that everyone stayed in character. I want to see more live performances on TV like this.