1h 52m | TV–14 | 1964
For the majority of his screen career, Walter Matthau was known primarily as a comedic actor, often partnering with Jack Lemmon in such popular comedies as The Odd Couple (1968) and Grumpy Old Men (1993). Unfortunately, his dramatic roles are not as well known but they include some of his best work, often in menacing and unsympathetic roles such as Charade (1963) and Fail-Safe (1964). In the latter Matthau plays a fanatical scientist who urges the President of the United States to declare war on Russia during an emergency situation. Even though it is only a supporting role, Matthau's performance as the power-hungry reactionary, Groeteschele, sticks in the memory long after the film is over.
Based on the novel by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler, Fail-Safe posed the "what if" scenario of a computer malfunction that falsely signals a nuclear attack on the United States. In retaliation, a squadron of Strategic Air Command bombers are dispatched to Moscow to destroy the Soviet capital. The computer error that triggered the whole incident is eventually discovered but by then it is too late to stop the air strike on Russia.
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Join us Thursday evenings from June 4 through June 25 for weekly outdoor film screenings in the John and Louise Bryson Courtyard at the Benton. Bring your blankets, chairs, and snacks to relax and enjoy carefully selected films related to topics in our current exhibitions (on view through June 28).
Admission is free and open to the public.