Terrffic adaption of the Eugene Burdick-Harvey Wheeler novel. It’s directed by Sidney Lumet and features a great performance from Henry Fonda as the President of the United States. Walter Matthau is a standout as hawkish political science professor and adviser to the Pentagon, Groeteschele. Also excellent are Frank Overton as General Bogan and Fritz Weaver in his movie debut as Col.Cascio. See this one.
The movie gets off to a shaky start but then the tension kicks in and doesn’t let up. Congressman Raskob (Sorrell “Boss Hogg” Booke) and a few others are touring the air base in Omaha. General Bogan (Frank Overton) explains the fail-safe system. Our bombers get to a fail-safe point near Russia and are supposed to turn back barring WWIII. Once past that point nothing can bring them back.
A UFO is spotted by a fighter group. It’s tense until they see it’s an off course commercial flight. A piece of equipment in the Omaha room burns out and is replaced. Soon after the bomber group gets to the fail-safe point again. This time it keeps going.
Meanwhile at the Pentagon the Professor (Walter Matthau) is arguing with General Black (Dan O’Herlihy) about limited nuclear warfare. At the White House the President (Henry Fonda) heads to a sub-basement to the hot line to Moscow. With him is Buck (Larry Hagman) a translator of Russian.
The President orders the fighter group to go after the bombers before they reach Moscow with their A-bombs. This is the serious side of Dr.Strangelove. No satire here. It may sem dated but that doesn’t mean it isn’t an excellent movie that should be seen.
Character actor Edward Binns has a bit as pilot Col.Grady. Dana Elcar has a quick bit as Foster, a party guest in the beginning of the movie who argues with the Professor. In a quick dramatic role is Dom DeLuise as Sgt.Collins in Omaha. The movie credits say “Introducing Fritz Weaver.” He did a number of TV drama shows before appearing in the movie. He was just great as Asteroth in the two part episode of “Friday The 13th:The Series” “The Prophecies” in 1989.
Frank Overton was Major Harvey Stovall in the TV series “Twelve O’Clock High” (1964-67). Dana Elcar appeared in many movies and TV shows and is probably best known as Pete Thornton in “MacGyver” (1985-92).
Vintage45's Blog 
One of my all-time favorite films. Have you seen the TV movie version of this directed by Stephen Frears? It isn’t supposed to be half-bad. However, I rather just remember Lumet’s masterpiece.
I rarely check out recreations of anything. If the original is that good, leave it alone.
I also have an allergy to TV movies. I don’t consider them “movies.” They’re just long TV shows with the networks current stars ruining the material.
One exception to recreations is something like “Godzilla.” It’s such a minimal storyline that it really doesn’t matter how many times it’s done. It’s all about special effects.
I agree with you completely — however, Stephen Frears can be quite the director and I’ve heard good things about this version. But, like you I’m not that interested — Lumet’s doesn’t need any fixing or re-imagining 😉