#496: First Strikes, Pt. 1 — Fail Safe

Lumet's 1967 nuclear thriller is grand in scope and human in focus.

Episode 496 of the The Next Picture Show podcast, hosted by Genevieve Koski, Keith Phipps, Tasha Robinson & Scott Tobias, titled "#496: First Strikes, Pt. 1 — Fail Safe" was published on October 21, 2025 and runs 58 minutes.

October 21, 2025 ·58m · The Next Picture Show

0:00 / 0:00

Summary

Kathryn Bigelow’s new A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE games out a scenario that filmmakers have been grappling with since the mid-20th century, in particular the year 1964, which saw the release of two very different classics of the nuclear-catastrophe genre: DR. STRANGELOVE, followed a few months later by the other half of this week’s pairing, FAIL SAFE. If the bleak realism of Sidney Lumet’s nuclear thriller made it a tougher sell to audiences back then, though, it also makes FAIL SAFE feel like a more fitting companion to Bigelow’s film than its satirical predecessor. We’re joined this week by critic and author Jason Bailey to discuss why FAIL SAFE still feels so immediately chilling decades removed from its Cold War context, and how Lumet makes a story that plays out mainly in a series of small rooms feel both grand in scope and human in focus. Then, in honor of our second Lumet feature in a row on this show, we turn Feedback over to a discussion of some of the prolific filmmaker’s lesser-known works. Please share your thoughts about FAIL SAFE, A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE, or anything else in the world of film by sending an email or voice memo to [email protected], or leaving a short voicemail at (773) 234-9730. Intro: 00:00:00-00:03:56 Fail Safe Keynote: 00:03:56-00:08:47 Fail Safe Discussion: 00:08:47-00:44:03 Feedback/outro: 00:44:03-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Description

Kathryn Bigelow’s new A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE games out a scenario that filmmakers have been grappling with since the mid-20th century, in particular the year 1964, which saw the release of two very different classics of the nuclear-catastrophe genre: DR. STRANGELOVE, followed a few months later by the other half of this week’s pairing, FAIL SAFE. If the bleak realism of Sidney Lumet’s nuclear thriller made it a tougher sell to audiences back then, though, it also makes FAIL SAFE feel like a more fitting companion to Bigelow’s film than its satirical predecessor. We’re joined this week by critic and author Jason Bailey to discuss why FAIL SAFE still feels so immediately chilling decades removed from its Cold War context, and how Lumet makes a story that plays out mainly in a series of small rooms feel both grand in scope and human in focus. Then, in honor of our second Lumet feature in a row on this show, we turn Feedback over to a discussion of some of the prolific filmmaker’s lesser-known works. Please share your thoughts about FAIL SAFE, A HOUSE OF DYNAMITE, or anything else in the world of film by sending an email or voice memo to [email protected], or leaving a short voicemail at (773) 234-9730. Intro: 00:00:00-00:03:56 Fail Safe Keynote: 00:03:56-00:08:47 Fail Safe Discussion: 00:08:47-00:44:03 Feedback/outro: 00:44:03-end Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

From the Ground Up: How REDCOM Built the Financial Foundation to Grow

Apr 21, 2026 ·21m

Loud and Clear: From Instinct to Insight at MBN

Feb 17, 2026 ·43m

From Volatility to Viability: What Endures When Everything Changes

Dec 16, 2025 ·18m

How to Lead International Expansion Without Losing Focus or Foundation

Oct 28, 2025 ·18m

Numbers as Navigation: Making Financial Projections Work for Your Business

Sep 29, 2025 ·21m

From Disruption to Direction: Turning Change into Strategy

Sep 23, 2025 ·18m

Similar Podcasts

College Football Insiders CBS Sports, College Football College Football Insiders isn’t about breaking news - it’s about breaking it down. Hosted by a powerhouse team of reporters, this show delivers the stories behind the headlines in college football. With unmatched access and elite intel, they’ll tell you how it happened, why it matters, and what comes next. College Football Insider brings you the full picture, not just the tweet. Liv Aligned Podcast Liv Aligned Podcast Liv Aligned Podcast is a holistic wellness podcast rooted in real life.From nourishing food and low-tox living to parenting, community, and intentional health. This is a space for slowing down, tuning in, and "living aligned"Formerly What the F…45!, the show has grown beyond workouts into a fuller picture of what it means to be well especially with a young family.The What the F…45! podcast was rooted in fitness, strength, and our life owning F45 Hamilton Downtown. As our family, values, and health journey have grown, so has the podcast. Liv Aligned is a natural next chapter for me (Amanda). It is still grounded in nutrition and wellness, but with more space for real life, family, and holistic living! Hope you enjoy!Here's what to expect:raw and honest conversations (not wellness perfection)practical nutrition and lifestyle tools for metabolic health and longevitygrounded parenting and fam Dentist Brain Candy Bryan McLelland, DDS, FRCDC Dentist Brain Candy is designed for the dentist who likes to learn and improve their practice. The information and content delivered is designed to help the restorative dentist move their practice forward.Each week we start off with an quote that gets the mental gears turning, a book review which will be digested for the listener over a series of episodes pulling out relevant material and applying it to the dental practice.Next an article will be reviewed from the literature and available for download. The show will close with an interesting case that I have come across. Pictures and radiographs, when appropriate will be on the website to review as well.The benefits include having a virtual dental buddy that you can listen to and “hang out with” and talk shop and grow your experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for our profession. Final Answer: the official Who Wants to be a Millionaire Podcast Sony Pictures Television It’s never as easy as it looks on TV, which is where Final Answer, the official Who Wants to be a Millionaire podcast comes in. As the most successful gameshow of all time, it’s transformed the fortunes of broadcasters, hosts and most importantly, the people who play for the chance to win life-changing sums of money. We’ll bring you tales of what happens next when people win or lose – and find out some of the show’s secrets from those who work on it – starting with the team behind Quiz, the ITV drama devoted to Millionaire’s most infamous player, the so-called Coughing Major.

URL copied to clipboard!