Entertaining; Peter Sellers at his best

Rating: 9/10 (17 March 2002)

I saw this movie for the first time when I was about 25 years old. I didn't truly get it then. I saw it again recently at 59; I think I got it this time. The story tells us how totally out of control a military situation can get in spite of all the official safeguards that may have been put into place. All it takes is one wacko with enough influence for total chaos to be unleashed. Sellers is superb as the polite English officer dealing with the insane American superior officer. He is equally wonderful as the unflappable president of the USA. His rendition of Dr Strangelove with his relexive Nazi salute is also memorable. Slim Pickens as the obediant bomber aircraft commander is terrific. His dedication to follow orders is indeed, total. George C Scott is equally wonderful in his role as top military adviser to the president. Although enthusiastic to the point of obsession, he seems to have no grasp whatsoever of the gravity of the situation in which the world powers find themselves at that moment.