This made-for-cable film spotlights a what-if scenario as the Cold War was in its dying throes. Missles have been launched at Russia – Russia responds, but at the U.S., whom it believes may have been to blame in the first place. Soon, missles are about to hit some of America’s military bases, including Andrews outside of Washington. WW III has been accidentally begun.
Should the president (Martin Landau) immediately respond? Should he hit the Russians just as hard, or should he try to determine who’s in charge of their country first? What if there isn’t enough time?
When the president’s helicopter is downed and he’s presumed dead, the Secretary of the Interior (Darrin McGavin) assumes command, with Col. Fargo (Rip Torn) as his only advisor. The acting president wants to completely destroy the Russkies, even at the risk of destroying his own country in the process. Meanwhile, five men and women aboard a bomber are tasked with a serious mission: Drop a nuke on Russia. Will they follow orders?
Riveting thriller might be a little creepy for people to see nowadays, as it features bombings on U.S. soil and the imminent threat of Armageddon. The cast is excellent, particularly Landau, James Earl Jones, and (surprisingly) Rebecca DeMornay; only Powers Booth, as the bomber captain, seems a little miscast, a tad lightweight for the dramatic nuances of the role. The effects are stunning without being diverting, and the climax is a real nail-biter. Nearly flawless.
***1/2
