Nuclear war- a nightmare that may become grim reality for the world in this riveting thriller. When a fanatical group opposed to friendly U.S./Soviet relations explodes a nuclear missile over a Russian city, it begins a chain reaction of accusations and actions that begin the groundwork for WW III. As the clock ticks toward total nuclear annihilation, the American president and the Soviet president race toward a solution, fighting with their own camps as well as with each other. Two air force pilots involved romantically as well as professionally, Cassidy (Powers Boothe) and Moreau (Rebecca de Mornay), are ordered to take their B-52 bomber into the air and await further instruction from the president (Martin Landau). But when it is reported that a bomb has killed the President, pilots Cassidy and Moreau are ordered to perform the "grand tour", the systematic bombing of the bunkers of all Russian leaders. Can these two follow through on a command that will mark the beginning of the end?