Movie

Fail Safe

“It will have you sitting on the brink of eternity!”

★ 7.8(469)19641h 52m

Fail Safe is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home in United States. It isn't on a subscription streaming service there yet. Availability checked 9 June 2026.

Where to watch Fail Safe

🇺🇸 United States

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Good to know

Director: Sidney Lumet
Release date: 1964-10-07
Runtime: 1h 52m
Language: English
Status: Released
Country: United States of America
Studio: Columbia Pictures

Fail Safe — trailer

About Fail Safe

Fail Safe is a 1964 movie in the Thriller, Drama and War genres, directed by Sidney Lumet, starring Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau and Fritz Weaver. It has a runtime of 1 hour 52 minutes. It holds an average rating of 7.8/10 from 469 viewers. Below you can see where to watch Fail Safe in United States — across streaming, rental and purchase options — along with the full cast, trailer and viewer reviews.

Synopsis

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 Fonda

The President

Walter Matthau

Prof. Groeteschele

Fritz Weaver

Col. Cascio

Larry Hagman

Buck

Frank Overton

Gen. Bogan

Edward Binns

Col. Jack Grady

Dan O'Herlihy

Brig. Gen. Warren A. Black

William Hansen

Defense Secretary Swenson

Russell Hardie

Gen. Stark

Janet Ward

Helen Grady

Dom DeLuise

TSgt. Collins

Russell Collins

Knapp

Themes & keywords

new york cityusa presidentgeneralatomic bombmissilecold warinterpreterpentagonbunkerhydrogen bombstrategic air commandbomberfighter pilotdestroymoscow, russia

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch Fail Safe in United States?+

In United States, Fail Safe is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. It isn't on a subscription streaming service there right now.

Is Fail Safe on Netflix?+

Fail Safe is not on Netflix in United States right now.

How long is Fail Safe?+

Fail Safe has a runtime of 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).

Who stars in Fail Safe?+

Fail Safe stars Henry Fonda, Walter Matthau, Fritz Weaver, Larry Hagman and Frank Overton.

When did Fail Safe come out?+

Fail Safe is a 1964 movie directed by Sidney Lumet.

What genre is Fail Safe?+

Fail Safe is Thriller, Drama and War film.

Who directed Fail Safe?+

Fail Safe was directed by Sidney Lumet.