Fail Safe (2000)
Fail Safe (2000), a televised broadcast play, is based on the Cold War novel by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler. Taking place during the height of tensions between the United States and Soviet Union in the early-to-mid-1960s, an unidentified aircraft approaches North America from Europe. In response, U.S. Vindicator bombers from Strategic Air Command (SAC) are sent to their designated fail safe positions near the Russian Far East. These bombers have strict orders not to continue past their fail safe points without receiving a specific attack code. Although the initial threat is later proven harmless and recall orders are issued, a technical malfunction results in the transmission of the attack code CAP811 to Group Six – comprised of six Vindicator supersonic bombers and four escort fighters.
Colonel Grady, the leading pilot of Group Six, attempts to reach SAC headquarters in Omaha to confirm the fail-safe order (referred to as ‘Positive Check’). However, due to Soviet interference on the radio, Grady is unable to establish communication with Omaha. Based on the attack order and the jamming, Grady concludes that war is imminent and instructs Group Six to continue towards their intended target – Moscow. Meanwhile, in various meetings held at locations such as Omaha, the Pentagon, and the fallout shelter of the White House, American politicians and experts analyze the ramifications of this accidental attack. One individual in particular, Professor Groteschele, suggests launching a full-scale attack in order to coerce surrender from the Soviets.
Date of download: 2015-11-11T17:22:34+00:00
Cast:  Walter CronkiteHost  Richard DreyfussPresident  Noah WyleBuck  Brian DennehyGen. Bogan  Sam ElliottCongressman Raskob  James CromwellGordon Knapp  John DiehlCol. Cascio  Hank AzariaProf. Groeteschele  Norman LloydDefense Secretary Swenson  Bill SmitrovichGen. Stark  Don CheadleLt. Jimmy Pierce  George ClooneyCol. Jack Grady  Harvey KeitelBrig. Gen. Warren Black |
Fail Safe (2000), a televised broadcast play, is based on the Cold War novel by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler. Taking place during the height of tensions between the United States and Soviet Union in the early-to-mid-1960s, an unidentified aircraft approaches North America from Europe. In response, U.S. Vindicator bombers from Strategic Air Command (SAC) are sent to their designated fail safe positions near the Russian Far East. These bombers have strict orders not to continue past their fail safe points without receiving a specific attack code. Although the initial threat is later proven harmless and recall orders are issued, a technical malfunction results in the transmission of the attack code CAP811 to Group Six – comprised of six Vindicator supersonic bombers and four escort fighters.
Colonel Grady, the leading pilot of Group Six, attempts to reach SAC headquarters in Omaha to confirm the fail-safe order (referred to as ‘Positive Check’). However, due to Soviet interference on the radio, Grady is unable to establish communication with Omaha. Based on the attack order and the jamming, Grady concludes that war is imminent and instructs Group Six to continue towards their intended target – Moscow. Meanwhile, in various meetings held at locations such as Omaha, the Pentagon, and the fallout shelter of the White House, American politicians and experts analyze the ramifications of this accidental attack. One individual in particular, Professor Groteschele, suggests launching a full-scale attack in order to coerce surrender from the Soviets.
