Fail Safe Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of Fail Safe, by Criterion, is anchored by a meticulous and clean 4K digital restoration from the original 35mm camera negative, conducted by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Encoded in MPEG-4 AVC and presented in its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the 1080p transfer showcases a natural grain structure that enhances the film's gritty and realistic tone. The restoration, handled using Cineric's proprietary 4K high-dynamic-range wet-gate film scanner, achieves significant improvements over previous releases, eliminating nearly all age-related imperfections and delivering stable image quality.

Gerald Hirschfeld's stark black-and-white cinematography benefits greatly from improved density levels, balanced contrast, and rich blacks and whites, which augment the film's visual impact. Razor-sharp close-ups bring out intricate details—sweat droplets, pores, hair follicles—while strong shadow delineation ensures that background elements remain clear. Despite occasional minor density fluctuations, the overall depth and delineation are markedly better, resulting in an organic appearance that's well-maintained throughout. This release stands as a substantial upgrade over past versions, likely representing the best Fail Safe has ever looked on home video.

Image stability is consistently solid, and the transfer effectively handles the nuanced lighting choices inherent to the film's dramatic scenes. Notably, the black levels are exemplary; shadows play a key role in the film's tension-building, and this restoration capitalizes on that dimension superbly. No significant scratches, dirt, or print damage mar the newly minted source material, ensuring a pristine viewing experience that stays true to the original cinematic vision. Authenticity is preserved through accurate flesh tones and detailed character renderings, particularly in close-ups that heighten the film's emotional intensity. All in all, this Blu-ray release of Fail Safe stands as a testament to high-quality digital restoration work.

The audio presentation of the "Fail Safe" Blu-ray employs a single English LPCM 1.0 track with optional English SDH subtitles, ensuring accessibility for all viewers. The track has been praised for its cleanliness and stability, showcasing a balance that mirrors previous releases without any dropouts, distortions, or background hiss. This consistency in sound quality emphasizes the careful remastering process done at Deluxe in Hollywood under Bob Simmons' supervision. Although the film does not feature a music score, its soundscape leverages dissonant sonic accents to enhance tension and unease effectively.

Notable elements include an excellent fidelity that accentuates impactful sound effects such as roaring plane engines and ringing telephones. The wide dynamic scale preserves the integrity of these sounds while ensuring that no distortion creeps in. Dialogue clarity is generally strong, benefiting from the pristine audiophile transfer free of age-related hiss, pops, or crackle. While some reviewers noted occasional difficulty in comprehending certain dialogue sections, this is attributed more to the original film's scratchy audio systems than to the Blu-ray conversion itself.

Overall, this is a high-quality restoration that likely represents the pinnacle of what can be achieved for this film's audio on home video. The track delivers a realistic auditory experience that serves the narrative's intention without overbearing technical distractions—making it an essential upgrade from prior DVD editions.

Criterion's release of "Fail Safe" on Blu-ray includes a collection of absorbing, though limited, extras that provide valuable context and behind-the-scenes insights. The centerpiece is an enlightening audio commentary by director Sidney Lumet, recorded in 2000, where he details the film's production challenges, artistic choices, and his steadfast preference for New York City over Los Angeles. Complementing this is a newly recorded interview with film critic J. Hoberman, who situates "Fail Safe" within its socio-political milieu and compares it to other Cold War-era films. Additionally, the disc features a nostalgic featurette from 2000, highlighting reflections from Lumet and other key figures involved in the film's making. An illustrated leaflet with an essay by Bilge Ebiri provides further critical analysis.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary by Sidney Lumet: Director discusses various aspects of the film’s production and its political message.
• Interview with J. Hoberman: Contextual analysis and socio-political observations related to the film and its era.
• Fail Safe Revisited: Featurette with unique perspectives from the director and notable cast members.
• Leaflet: Includes an essay by critic Bilge Ebiri and technical credits.

Sidney Lumet's "Fail Safe" (1964) embodies the anxieties of the Cold War era by depicting a harrowing nuclear crisis. The film starts with an electrical malfunction at Strategic Air Command, Omaha, leading to an accidental dispatch of nuclear-equipped bombers to Moscow. Through stark black-and-white cinematography, Lumet presents a chillingly realistic scenario that unfurls via methodical scenes within confined spaces, mimicking the claustrophobia and rising tension at the Pentagon and among top U.S. officials. Henry Fonda delivers a profoundly authoritative performance as the President, maneuvering through tense negotiations with his Soviet counterpart to avert global annihilation, assisted by Larry Hagman’s competent portrayal of an interpreter.

"Fail Safe" avoids sensationalism, focusing on plausible technical failures and procedural responses. The film’s narrative is punctuated with gripping moral and political debates, enhancing its realism. Though parallels with Kubrick's "Dr. Strangelove" led to a delayed and overshadowed release, Lumet's effort sustains its own gravitas through a stark tone devoid of musical scores or frivolous embellishments. This approach successfully underscores the terrifying reliability on human judgment in a mechanized world teetering on disaster.

The film's potent impact is supported by a strong cast, including Walter Matthau, Dan O'Herlihy, and Edward Binns, who all contribute to presenting a nightmarish yet deeply conceivable scenario. Even with its low budget and technical limitations, "Fail Safe" remains relevant today with its incisive examination of diplomatic tightropes and technological chains of command. Lumet’s mastery in building suspense, combined with the ensemble’s robust performances, ensures that "Fail Safe" remains a compelling study of Cold War paranoia and the perpetual threat posed by nuclear armament failures.

Criterion's release of Sidney Lumet's "Fail Safe" on Blu-ray delivers a resounding experience that encapsulates the movie’s chilling Cold War narrative with remarkable precision. Utilizing a new 4K master, this edition substantially improves upon previous releases, offering a significantly refined visual and auditory experience. Lumet’s taut depiction of a nuclear catastrophe driven by a malfunctioning computerized weapons system is presented with unnerving clarity, making the film's suspenseful progression more engaging and immediate than ever.

The enhancement in video and audio quality magnifies the film’s atmospheric tension, making every moment feel immersive. Despite some aspects feeling dated, "Fail Safe"'s core message about the perils of mass destruction remains disturbingly relevant. Criterion’s meticulous attention to the video transfer allows the stark black-and-white cinematography to shine, while the audio transfer ensures that every strain of dialogue and nuance is preserved. The selection of special features, including both new and legacy content, enriches the overall viewing experience, elevating an already essential film to new heights.

In conclusion, Criterion’s presentation of "Fail Safe" on Blu-ray is a must-have for any enthusiast of Cold War cinema or Sidney Lumet's directorial prowess. The combination of high-quality video and audio transfers paired with a poignant, timeless narrative, makes this release not only an improvement over past versions but a definitive one. Highly recommended.