Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Starring: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Slim Pickens, James Earl Jones
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Rating: Not rated
Genre: Comedy, Science Fiction
Box Office: $9,164,370
1964

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: General Jack D. Ripper (Sterlying Hayden) decides to break protocal and destroy the Soviet communists once and for all. He orders an a air squadron to attack the U.S.S.R. with nuclear weapons. British Captain Mandrake (Peters Sellers) tries to stop the general while the U.S. President (Peter Sellers again) tries desperately to convince the Soviet leader that the whole thing is a big mistake. Everything takes a turn for the worst when Presidential advisor Dr. Strangelove (Peters Sellers yet again) announces that he believes the Soviets have a Doomsday Device, which will destroy the world through nuclear war if the country is ever nuked. Now, the fate of the world rests on a few men.

Review:

Tim: Dr. Strangelove is perhaps the greatest political satire of all time. The film is absolutely hilarious, but also a poignant social commentary of the darkest possibilities of the Cold War. It is no longer as politically important since the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, but it still stands up as an important example of that historical time period and the fears that existed.

Stanley Kubrick assembled an excellent cast. Sterling Hayden is terrific as General Jack D. Ripper, who is paranoid about the Commies polluting America's "bodily fluids." This makes no sense, but you have to laugh.

Peter Sellers is amazing in three roles- the British Captain Mandrake, the U.S. President, and Dr. Strangelove. Each of these performances are so incredibly different from the last. Sellers uses different accents and honestly is difficult to recognize through each character. He earned an Academy Award nomination and deserves it well.

Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is not necessarily a laugh-out-loud comedy, but it is quite funny in its subtleties and its political humor. The "Doomsday Device" plot twist is a little ridiculous, but who really cares? It fits and the film is excellent.

On another note, look for James Earl Jones in a very small role. It is an insignificant part, but important because it was his first screen role.

This is a classic film that every movie lover should see. Pay attention to the ending- Slim Pickens' final ride is the stuff that movies are made for and the film's conclusion, though not what you'd expect, is somewhat fitting.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Blazing Saddles, A Clockwork Orange, Eyes Wide Shut, Full Metal Jacket, Primary Colors, Wag the Dog