An absurd wartime comedy with a hilarious Peter Sellers

Rating: Null/10 (29 July 2017)

This wartime comedy is built on the contrast that rises from serious situations and absurd behavior - the US president small talking with the Soviet premier over an imminent airstrike, the sign that says "Peace is our profession" at the assaulted airbase, and many other details such as "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room!" The main characters are caricatured - Dr Strangelove is a physically diminished but brilliant former Nazi scientist, the anti-imperialist Soviet ambassador happens to be a spy as well, the US bomber pilot talks with a harsh Midwest accent and wears a cowboy hat. This coarse self-mockery is tempered by the sharp and exquisite dialogues of Peter Sellers who plays three roles - a phlegmatic British military, the US President and Dr Stangelove - and George Scott as a bold and gross American General.