DVD Review: Fail Safe

Shot in black-and-white and performed live on CBS, this claustrophobic Cold War remake of Sydney Lumet's 1964 original stars George Clooney as a pilot who accidentally is ordered to annihilate a slice of Russia with a nuclear bomb.

Richard Dreyfuss is the American president facing a rather difficult situation--enter into war, or allow Russia to bomb the hell out of New York City.

A bristling Noah Wyle negotiates the mounting tension, with Don Cheadle, Harvey Keitel, James Cromwell, Hank Azaria and Sam Elliott rounding out the excellent cast. Directed by Stephen Frears ("The Queen).

Grade: A-