It is the Cold War. The world stands on the brink of nuclear catastrophe as tensions simmer between the US and the Soviet Union. When a US bomber is accidentally ordered to drop a nuclear bomb on Moscow, it looks as if the fateful decision for all-out war will be taken by both sides.

Having past the point of no return, Colonel Jack Grady (George Clooney) pilots his bomber into Soviet territory, refusing to yield to verbal commands to turn back.

The U.S. President (Richard Dreyfuss) and his young interpreter Buck (Noah Wyle) plunge into a crisis of split second decision-making in order to avert disaster.