A Must Watch For All

Rating: 9/10 (2 May 2020)

Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) was directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick. It was also co-written by Kubrick with the journalist and counter-culture satirist Terry Southern, transforming the conventional thriller Red Alert by Welsh author Peter George. The film stars Peter Sellers, George C Scott, Sterling Hayden, Slim Pickens, Keenan Wynn and Tracy Reed. It has a Running time of 94 minutes. The film went on to earn four Oscar nominations at the 37th Academy Awards, including in the best picture category and over a dozen of other nominations and it won eight in total, including BAFTA Awards for Best Film and Best British film, Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation, to name the few among the most prestigious awards it won.
The film opens with a eccentric General Ripper declaring a "Code Red", sealing off his air-force base, and ordering a nuclear attack on Russia. When his assistant, RAF Group Captain Mandrake, advises moderation, Ripper replies that he intends to launch a pre-emptive strike to stop a Communist infiltration which is "sapping and impurifying all of our precious bodily fluids". In Washington D.C., an emergency meeting is called to determine how to react to the crisis. Present are President Merkin Muffley, a man whose effete personality is adequately described by his name, General Buck Turgidson, whose least favorite color is red, Dr. Strangelove, an ex-Nazi scientist who is now head of the United States' weapons development program, Soviet Ambassador de Sadesky and the rest of the higher-uppers at the Pentagon. Meanwhile, aboard the bomber "Leper Colony", we are introduced to the crew led by Major "King" Kong that will play a vital role in the events about to transpire.
Originally, Kubrick envisioned Peter Sellers playing four unique roles. However, after filming three of them the actor broke his leg and was unable to complete the quartet. In his place, Slim Pickens was signed to portray Major "King" Kong, the commanding officer of the bomber that gets through to Russia. He is excellent as well. Peter Sellers is magnificent and exceptional in essaying a trio of roles. I am not disclosing the characters, you find it out and enjoy the every second of the brilliance of his quintessential acting. George C. Scott plays the role of General Buck Turgidson and we get to witness his jaw dropping performance. Sterling Hayden is cased as the Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper, a paranoid SAC commander. Peter Bull is a personification of suspicion as the Russian envoy.
Production is handsomely mounted, with fine work by art director Peter Murton. Wally Veevers, special effects, Laurie Johnson's music, and excellent photography by Gilbert Taylor. Laurie Johnson's music is a major aid to the satirical tone. It is good because it does not try to be funny on its own, but is played straight and only becomes funny when contrasted with the action on film.
As the film races to its conclusion and simultaneously adding on to the satirical tone, situations become more bizarre, with a drunk Soviet Premier Kissoff whining over the phone to Muffley that the U.S. planes are flying too low and jamming their radar. Mandrake tries to put an emergency call through to the President, but the Pentagon won't accept the collect call, and he doesn't have exact change. And Dr. Strangelove, Hitler's best living ally, comes up with a plan to preserve the superior elements of humanity.
The film became a popular success, earning US $4,420,000 in rentals in North America during its initial theatrical release. Dr. Strangelove is Kubrick's highest rated film on Rotten Tomatoes.The film also holds a score of 96 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim". It was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. In 1994, the film was re-released.
Age has not withered that final petrifying nightmare of the mushroom clouds. The film ends with Vera Lynn's hopeful We'll Meet Again - underscoring how the certainties of the Second World War ceased to hold their meaning in the nuclear age.
Dr. Strangelove is not an assault on American nuclear policy; it is an aghast look at the entire world, a world in which the word "overkill" is accepted as a logical point of discussion. The genius of Dr.Strangelove is that it's possible to laugh -- and laugh hard -- while still recognizing the intelligence and insight behind the humor. To conclude, this film is one of the best black comedy and a cold war satire that the film industry has ever witnessed in the history of film making.
Do yourself a favor, go and watch this movie. You won't regret it regardless of being a movie buff or not.