''Fail Safe'', 1964 - art by George Kerfyser
by Movie World Posters
Title
''Fail Safe'', 1964 - art by George Kerfyser
Artist
Movie World Posters
Medium
Mixed Media - Vintage Movie Poster
Description
A vintage French movie poster of ''Fail Safe'', a 1964 American black-and-white thriller film directed by Sidney Lumet. The movie is based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler. It is a tense and thought-provoking Cold War drama that explores the terrifying consequences of a nuclear accident and the ethical dilemmas faced by those in power.
The film's plot revolves around a fictional scenario in which a technical malfunction in the United States' military defense system leads to a squadron of American bombers armed with nuclear weapons being inadvertently dispatched to attack Moscow, the capital of the Soviet Union. As the situation escalates, the U.S. President (played by Henry Fonda) and his advisors must make difficult decisions, including the possibility of a sacrificial act to prevent an all-out nuclear war.
"Fail Safe" is known for its intense and claustrophobic atmosphere, as much of the action takes place in the War Room where the President and his advisers grapple with the unfolding crisis. The film raises profound questions about the potential for human error and the moral responsibility of those in control of such destructive weapons.
The movie is often compared to another Cold War-era film released in the same year, "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb," directed by Stanley Kubrick. While "Dr. Strangelove" approaches the subject matter with dark humor, "Fail Safe" takes a more serious and somber tone.
"Fail Safe" remains a classic of the Cold War film genre and is remembered for its powerful performances, particularly that of Henry Fonda as the President. It serves as a chilling reminder of the nuclear anxieties that pervaded the era and the grave consequences that could result from the use of nuclear weapons.
About the poster artist:
George Kerfyser (1923 Paris, France–2001 Sisteron, France) was a leading French movie poster designer.
With a talent early in his life for drawing and painting, he studied art at the Ecole des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. After graduation, he began getting commissions to design movie posters. His style and technical ability caught the attention of leading film studios in France. As a result, he became the Artistic Director at Columbia Pictures. He designed a number of their posters for major films, including "Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957) and "Lawrence of Arabia" (1963).
Kerfyser's use of colors gives a distinct, recognizable impression. The backgrounds are not crowded with scenes and characters but essential and straightforward. They are characterized by plain uniformly spread colors. Blues, azures, greens, occasionally grays, and reds compose a mosaic of colors in wonderfully cool tones.
Among the characteristics of his style was its versatility, using a variety of designs and techniques he felt were appropriate for the type of film. He also used solid colors running to the edges of his posters. In addition, he made unique typography or hand lettering a central feature.
The characters created by Kerfyser stand out against these colored backgrounds. They often contrast figures with marked outlines, black and evocative in their sometimes realistic, sometimes caricatured style. The modernity of Kerfyser's posters is palpable: they seem like unique covers of contemporary graphic novels.
In his later years, he worked with the Cannes film festival, helping it organize events.
Search "Kerfyser" to see more of his art.
Uploaded
February 8th, 2022
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