It may be necessary to remind children during this time that the drama will become intense as the film unfolds its gripping tale. The dramatic tension in “Fail-Safe” builds slowly through the first 25 minutes. The words “damn” and “hell” are used several times. One of the characters, under extreme provocation, commits suicide. Children who are sensitive and who are empathic towards animals should be warned and perhaps they should skip the first 60 seconds of the film (until the end of the dream sequence). While this sequence adds a layer of meaning to the film, it is not essential. The film begins with a dream sequence showing the agony of a bull being killed in a bullfight. A woman makes a pass at Professor Groeteschele, the villain of the film. This indicates a continuing interest in the story and in the issues that it presents. In 2000, after the end of the Cold War, a remake of “Fail-Safe” on television attracted more than 20 million viewers. One only has to examine the destruction wrought by atomic weapons at the conclusion of World War II and note the incredible advances in their destructive capability to realize that everyone is at risk if there is an accidental explosion of a nuclear weapon. The movie will help inspire children to discuss the wisdom of possessing large stockpiles of nuclear weapons, as well as investigate what is being done to safeguard them. See National Missile Defense Debate by the Carnegie Endowment for Peace. The film also contributes to the contemporary debate over defense systems designed to destroy incoming missiles. See CNN site on nuclear weapons accidents. The chances of an unintended launch of a missile or of a nuclear accident remain all too real. Additionally, several nations who do not already have nuclear weapons are trying to build them. See Estimates by the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Fail-Safe” serves as a reminder that, while nuclear tensions have diminished, there are still thousands of nuclear weapons in arsenals around the world. The experience of viewing this film will be enhanced if used at part of ’s Lesson Plan on Mass Casualties and Making Decisions About War. The movie is based on the best selling novel of the same name by Harvey Wheeler and Eugene Burdick. How can he assure the Soviet Premier that this is not the start of an all out nuclear attack? If the bombers cannot be stopped, how does he propose to convince the Soviet Union not to launch an attack that will destroy the United States? Or, as some advise, should he simply order an all out first strike and start WWIII with a big advantage? The President of the United States is called upon to make quick and important decisions. war planes, armed with hydrogen bombs, flies off toward the Soviet Union. One day, due to a mechanical failure, a group of U.S. The countries rely upon the logic of Mutual Assured Destruction to prevent war. (Russia) stand toe to toe, ready to destroy each other, and the world, on a moments’ notice. Armed to the teeth with nuclear weapons, the U.S. FICTION (SOAPS, DRAMAS, AND REALITY/SURVIVAL SHOW).FILM ADAPTATIONS OF NOVELS, SHORT STORIES, OR PLAYS.TALKING AND PLAYING WITH MOVIES: AGES 3-8.
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