Chilling doomsday scenario. Fonda is wonderful as U.S. President who must deal with pressure from all sides as he negotiates a potential 'mistake' war with Russia. Matthau seems oddly miscast as reactionary government man, but remainder of cast are all fine, including a young Hagman as translator. Lumet's crisp, cut-to-the bone direction is a major asset here, and film quietly ratchets up the suspense in the later stages. A product of its era, but excellent if taken in that context.

A darker, less humorous Dr. Strangelove. That god-damned dream sequence (with the bull fighting) still sends shivers down my spine. Great, great film.

Too bad this was laughed at because of Dr. Strangelove...

Again Lumet reaches perfection with this gritty, unnerving and thought-provoking thriller from a hyper-intelligent, immaculately written script. The acting too is a thing of wonder, especially Fonda's charismatic President of the USA and Walter Matthau's brilliant character of a straight-faced lunatic version of Herman Kahn. I immediately loved this but had to watch it a second time to fully appreciate it. Kicks Dr. Strangelove's butt.

Slow to build up but halfway through you can't walk away. One of the most unsettling endings ever. Probably could have benefited from a few dance routines and maybe a breakout musical number from Walter Matthau.

Sidney Lumet specializes in directing dialogue-driven thrillers, and this film is a prime example. Just like in 12 Angry Men, the "action" takes place in the discussions, arguments, and altercations between men in secluded, closed rooms. This film has some of the most thrilling scenes of its era, helped by great performances (Fonda and Matthau especially, among others), an engaging script, and a bit of inspired editing. It does falter a bit due to being less tightly plotted than one would like.

Effective paranoid Hollywood thriller.

Dr. Strangelove done with a straight face. Besides, the world's far less likely to blow up these days...

I really liked this as a kid. Read the book because of it.

The dark comedy feels just a bit off, though maybe the awkwardness is inherent in the subject matter. Otherwise it's a solid film raised up a notch by a wonderful script and very good performances, at least from the leads.

Taut, edge of the seat suspense.

Thought-provoking at the time it was made. The last 30 minutes of the film are intense where you are trying to convince yourself in human ability to survive under any conditions. Very good but Dr. Strangelove is more weirdly appealing to me as scenario of the global annihilation.

One of the most chilling endings I have ever seen.

Larry Hagman is great.

Minor spoilers: The ending is one of the best ever.

A bit dated now, which makes for some slightly humorous moments that really have no place in this film, the last third of the movie will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the ending is thought-provoking and oft imitated. This film is Dr. Strangelove without the laughs.

a fantastic finger wag at the goings on of the cold war, but still retains some of the bad aspects of cold war mentality (communism being the arch-enemy of the united states). does a fantastic job tugging at the heart strings, and leaves you pretty adamantly rooted in the point of view it persuades towards. acted fairly well, but matthau doesn't quite fit at times.

Good film.

I need a hug.

Pretty decent Nuke-war scary yarn.

Nails the fearful paranoia of the era. I love talky pictures done right, and Lumet, Matthau, Fonda et al make this a sweaty, grippingly intense and excitingly brave nail-biter of a thriller that few, if any, contemporary ones come close to matching. Very nice chiaroscuro.