During the early 1960s, Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union heightened as an accidental thermonuclear attack by a group of U.S. bombers launched a mission against Moscow.
Amidst an ordinary tour for VIPs at War Room in Omaha, an alert is initiated when their radar indicates an intrusion into American airspace of an unidentified flying object. The standard procedure is to keep several groups of bombers constantly flying around the clock as an immediate response to any potential nuclear attack on the country. Upon an initial alert from headquarters, these airborne groups proceed to pre-identified aerial points around the globe called "fail-safe points" to await an actual "go code" before proceeding towards Russian targets.
Shortly after reaching those points, the flying object is identified as an off-course airliner and the alert is canceled. However, a technical error sends an errant "go code" to one group of bombers, ordering them to proceed and attack their target. Coincidentally and simultaneously, a new Russian jamming device begins radio-jamming communications between the War Room and the bomber group with the result that the group commander, Colonel Jack Grady, begins to lead the attack on Moscow.
Pressure mounts as the President of the United States and his advisers attempt to recall the group or shoot them down. Communications are begun with the Soviet Chairman, whereupon mistakes on both sides are acknowledged. The jamming is reversed; however, US pilot training and protocols cause the crew to reject counter-orders to abort the mission.
Realizing the severity of the situation, the President seeks a resolution to the matter that will avoid reprisal from the Russians and, ultimately, an all-out nuclear holocaust.
Based on the 1962 novel by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler, the '64 film featured Henry Fonda, Dan O'Herlihy, Walter Matthau and Frank Overton. In 2000 it was adapted as a televised play starring George Clooney, Richard Dreyfuss and Noah Wyle and broadcast live in black-and-white on CBS.
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Jesinta Campbell @JesintaCampbell