Failsafe is the unfunny version of Dr. Strangelove. The movie Failsafe was based on the book of the same name. The novel Failsafe was published in 1962. Dr. Strangelove was based on the book Red Alert. The novel Red Alert was published in 1958. It is safe to say Dr. Strangelove beat Failsafe to the punch.

Both Failsafe and Dr. Strangelove involve SAC bombers mistakenly attacking Russia and starting WWIII and causing nuclear inhalation. One could spend this movie review listing the similarities between the two Columbia Pictures releases. However, I will not bore you with that list. We can move on and assume the two movies release in 1964 are near mirror images of each other.

Failsafe does a pretty good job explaining how accidentally starting WWIII is possible. Despite the details, this movie tries to investigate the evolution of war and human nature driving war.

The movie states that as technology develops, war quickens. The time between attack and retaliation decreases. Soon, there is no room for human reaction. Failsafe leads you think that soon wars will be started, fought, and lost with little human action.

Professor Groeteschele (Walter Matthau) has studied war and decides murder is acceptable to prevent your own death. ‘Those who can survive are the only ones worth surviving.’ General Black challenges Groeteschele’s conclusion. Black argues killing to save yourself erases the division between you and your enemy.

Failsafe also looks at human nature. Professor Groeteschele speaks with a woman who is amused with the idea or nuclear war. Groeteschele is more than irritates with her reaction and comments maybe some people just want to push the big red button. Perhaps he is right.

Speaking of Professor Groeteschele, Walter Matthau give a great performance in the movie. Matthau is often associated with comedies and more light-hearted material. However, he plays a serious civilian adviser in a nuclear think tank. Matthau proves he is a good actor with this role. In Failsafe, he makes you forget he is that guy in The Odd Couple and Grumpy Old Men. Good stuff.

Failsafe takes a hard look and nuclear war and leaves you with a sinking feeling in your stomach. It’s message rings true today as it did in 1964. That is why CBS decided to remake the film in 2000 with a slew of big names. (But I would not recommend wasting your money or time looking for that one at the video store. Just watch the original and save yourself the heartache.)

But with such a heavy topic, you really do need some comedy (preferably black) to reach your audience. Just look at The Day After. Even the extras that played in the movie needed some psychological counseling. So I have to say, Failsafe is good but Dr. Strangelove is better.