Undescribable Perfection

One of my all time favorites.

Fresh and Exciting

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

A computer malfunction triggers the transmission of nuclear attack codes to a United States bomber squadron to nuke Moscow. It's up to the shrewd and diplomatic President (superbly played with conviction and authority by Richard Dreyfuss), his advisers, and various military leaders to avert a major catastrophe. Director Stephen Frears, working from a taut, smart, and gripping script by Walter Bernstein, relates the riveting story at a swift pace, generates a tremendous amount of nerve-rattling suspense, astutely nails the paranoia of the 60's Cold War era, and maintains a serious tone throughout. Moreover, Frears warrants extra praise for telling the still relevant narrative in an admirably economical straightforward manner and sustaining an uncompromisingly tough sensibility that stays fiercely true to itself right to the devastating downbeat end. The sterling acting by the top-rate cast keeps everything humming: George Clooney as genial and dutiful fighter pilot Col. Jack Grady, Hank Azaria as the coldly pragmatic Prof. Groeteschele, Noah Wyle as eager translator Buck, Harvey Keitel as the conflicted Brig. Gen. Warren Black, Brian Dennehy as the bluff, no-nonsense Gen. Brogan, John Diehl as the ramrod Col. Cascio, Don Cheadle as by-the-book fighter co-pilot Lt. Jimmy Pierce, Sam Elliott as the hearty Congressman Raskob, James Cromwell as the cagey Gordon Knapp, and Norman Lloyd as the sly Defense Secretary Swenson. The total absence of any music and John A. Alonzo's sharp black and white cinematography gives this picture a strong sense of stark documentary-like realism. A real on the money harrowing and effective nail-biter.

Most disappointing performances by Keitel and Cromwell.We don't know how long was spent in preparation, but there were three performances that were not executed as well as I would have hoped.Right from the start, Keitel's performance appears slow... it isn't immediately obvious, but it becomes apparent that this is not a one of - and not part of the act. Very disappointing live performance.To be fair, nobody appeared to fluff their lines and there were some very remakable performances. Even so, nerves and undue delay in reciting lines can quickly break the illusion.Thankfully Dreyfuss, Dennehy and Clooney there to make up for it..! Sterling performances.The occasional 'long' pause, and a stiff performance from Keitel marr the live performance. However, other than that, excellent work.This is what the small screen has been missing for some time now. If you get the chance... particularly if you don't know the story, you really must see this. Yes, some of this is old -hat rhetoric... but it's still - at its most basic - moving to this day.

With the end of the arms race between the United States and Russia this film does not have the urgency of the earlier production. While the cast is composed of some very talented actors, they are simply not a match for the original cast. This goes to prove my point that some films should not be remade. Richard Dreyfus just doesn't come across as the president. And most of the other cast members were miscast as well. The story was close enough to be the original, and the look of shooting in black and white was a good choice. It is only in that medium that the stark horror of what has happened could be told. While this was certainly not a bad film or an awful film it simply misses that something that the 1964 feature had. I have rated it 7 out of 10.

Tomaroon wrote: ..."when General Bogan and the Russian General are discussing their time... (the 1964 film), here the location has changed to Paris. I really can't see the reason why"The actor did NOT say Paris, he said Persia.The movie was great, the black and white was a great affect (and I'm generally prefer color) and I loved the fact that it was live. I do agree with those who said the lighting was bad, it looked cheaply made but that was because it was supposed to appear to look like the times (like when they make westerns with mostly brown tones, even though everything wasn't brown, it sets the atmosphere for the times). However this person unfairly knocked this movie and was bothered by things that he/she misunderstood (like the name of the city where the two people just missed meeting).See it and judge for yourself.