Quotes from the Movie Fail-Safe

We've all been briefed on the mission, so there is nothing more to say. I only have one last order...no one else is to have anything to do with the dropping of the bombs. I repeat, I will fly the plane and release the bombs. The final act is mine.

Brigadier General Warren Abraham Black

Katie...a dream...a dream...the matador...the matador... the matador...me...me.

Brigadier General Warren Abraham Black

Two hours ago, you said a hundred million dead. Now you say 60,000,000.

Female Party Guest

Are you prepared to say the saving of 40,000,000 lives is of no importance?

Professor Groeteschele

Face facts, Mr. Foster. We're talking about war. I say every war, including thermonuclear war, must have a winner and a loser. Which would you rather be?

Professor Groeteschele

It's the resolution of economic and political conflict.

Professor Groeteschele

It doesn't have to be a hundred million.

Professor Groeteschele

The same as a thousand years ago, sir. We also had wars that wiped out whole peoples. The point is still who wins and who loses, the survival of a culture.

Professor Groeteschele

Yes, I do, Mr. Foster. I am not a poet. I am a political scientist, who would rather have an American culture survive than a Russian one.

Professor Groeteschele

Who would survive? That's an interesting question. I would predict . . . convicts and file clerks. [A male guest laughs.] The worst convicts. Those deep down in solitary confinement. And the most ordinary file clerks. Probably for large insurance companies, because they would be in fire-proof rooms, protected by tons of the best insulator in the world: paper. And imagine what will happen. The small group of vicious criminals will fight the army of file clerks for the remaining means of life. The convicts will know violence, but the file clerks will know organization. Who do think'll win? [There is a long pause, and then he laughs.] It's all hypotheses of course, but fun to play around with.

Professor Groeteschele

I've heard nuclear war called a lotta things, Miss Woolfe. Never beautiful.

Professor Groeteschele

The beauty of death?

Professor Groeteschele

It is possible. Even probable.

Professor Groeteschele

As good a place as any.

Professor Groeteschele

Why not? I'm a joker. I make death into a game for people like you to get excited about. I watched you tonight. You'd love making it possible, wouldn't you? You'd love pressing that button. What a thrill that would be, knowing you have to die to have the power to take everyone else with you. The mob of them with their plans, their little hopes, born to be murdered. Turning away from it, closing their eyes to it, and you could be the one to make it true. Do it to them. But you're afraid, so you look for the thrill someplace else. And who better than a man who isn't afraid? [Ilsa Woolfe tries seducing him, and he slaps her.] I'm not your kind.

Professor Groeteschele