"The whole point of the doomsday machine...is lost if you keep it a secret!"

Rating: 8/10 (24 March 2014)

Every time you see a great film, you find new things in it. Viewing "Dr. Strangelove" for another viewing, I discovered what makes this film so funny.
To spoil Dr. Strangelove would be to deny a film lover a fresh experience that is unlike any than they could ever dream. The results are that wonderful. This is a dish best served cold. The less you know about the film, the better.
For those that insist on an explanation of plot, it is fairly simple. A United States General, Gen. Jack Ripper (Sterling Hayden) goes insane and launches and all out nuclear attack on Russia. The movie is about how global leaders, a British officer, and a fighter jet respond to the situation. That's all I am going to tell you. I won't even use the film's greatest image-- one of the most glorious and wonderful images in all of motion picture history-- in the pictures accompanying this review. Those that have seen the picture know the classic image I am talking about-- and if you watch the movie for the first time that magical moment will be blatantly obvious.
This is a perfect movie. It is perfect in its direction, casting, dialogue, set design and cinematography. The music-- particularly the classical use of the American classic, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, is pitch perfect. Notice the way the tempo of the score increases and becomes more dramatic as the tension in the film progresses. That is true genius-- the choices that were made are so completely intelligent that they are seamlessly integrated into the experience.
The movie is funny because it does not know it is funny. Classic lines like "You can't fight in here, this is the war room" are written practically into the situations that are taking place. Even the most absurd parts of the picture are historically accurate. For example, Gen. Ripper's conspiracy theory of fluoridation was actually something that hundreds of people believed in the 1950's. Survival kits did come with condoms back then. Even the moments that seem like slapstick come from practicality-- such as when Lt. Bat Guano (Kennan Wynn) shoots the Coca- Cola machine. It seems at first like a cheap gag when the soda shoots into Guano's face-- but think about it: he shot a Coke machine. What else would happen?
Kubrick knew when to embrace the inevitable-- some day, some ridiculous, stubborn, and completely misguided but passionate idiot will bring about the end of the world. We could disarm-- but that would require trust. It is sad when the reality of the world is so bleak it is funny- but this is how it goes.