Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stopped Worrying and Love The Bomb

Dr. Strangelove, released in 1964 is a dark comedy about nuclear holocaust, during the Cold War. The film was directed by Stanley Kubrick, and starred big named actors such as George C. Scott, Peter Sellers (in three different roles), western film legend Slim Pickens, and a very young James Earl Jones.

Peter Sellers, who also worked with Kubrick in the film Lolita in multiple roles, was cast as Dr. Strangelove, President Merkin Muffley, and Group Captain Lionel Mandrake. He was originally also cast to play the role of Major T.J. "King" Kong, but ended up having to turn down that role. The role of the pilot Major King Kong, was first offered to John Wayne, who immediately turned it down. After Sellers stepped down from the role, it was then offered to television series Bonanza star Dan Blocker, who turned it down for the role being to "pinko", and then it was offered to Slim Pickens, whose career greatly grew from the role. Peter Sellers, adlibed most of the dialogue, and Kubrick re-wrote the scenes based on his adlibs. Kubrick, won the respect of George C Scott by beating him in chess games on set. Kubrick didn't however agree to the over acting of the character and wanted to play it different. Kubrick told him that they would film the shot with an over the top, and then one the way that Scott said it should be done, however Kubrick used the over the top shots instead of the ones that Scott wanted. It was said that after that George C Scott said that he would never work with Stanley Kubrick again because he felt that was dishonest.

The film was loosely based on the novel Red Alert by Peter George. That, and Kubrick originally intended to do the film as a war drama, but as the screenplay was being written he soon realized the possibility of a dark comedy based on the concept of nuclear war. The film had multiple themes, including parodying the Cold War, and the anti-communist red scare that was big in the USA during the time. The film also had various sexual themes as well, including the opening stock footage of planes refueling in air, in what comes off as sexual image of planes having sex in the air.

The film is often quoted and referenced in pop culture, and much of the dialogue is quite memorable, for example "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room", which was used by Adam Ant in a song on the Vive Le Rock album. In addition to famous dialogue some of the images are also iconic, especially Slim Pickens riding the nuclear bomb as it is dropped from the bomber plane. This is a film that made history for it's political subversiveness and it's amazing use of satire. The film is such a part of US culture, that when Reagan became president he asked his chief of staff to show him the war room, to which the chief of staff, said that it doesn't exist, to which Reagan replied, "of course it does, I saw it in that film Dr. Strangelove".

The film has few sets, but what it does have are extremely well done. The sets are all done at Shepperton Studios near London. The War room was so well done that future president Ronald Reagan asked to see it, believing it to be real. The cockpit of the B-52 was so well done that when questioned about it by the US Air force Kubrick became concerned that the set designers may have not gotten the design ideas through legal means, and feared an FBI investigation. The film looks amazing, and is shot with a relatively minimal set and cast. The dialogue is iconic, as are the images. Definitely one of the greatest films of all-time.

Dr Strangelove, was a box office success, and has also been highly acclaimed by critics. The film has become part of the Criterion Collection. The critics all agree that the film is one of the greatest films of all-time, and has made it on many top film lists.

Would I recommend this film? Yes, this is an absolute must see film, you can not skip this film, every viewer must see this film, no matter what genre of films you prefer. This is a film that has made a huge impact on pop-culture, and one of the best politically subversive films of all time. Also hands down the greatest film that Kubrick ever made. If you have not seen this film, it is one you must track down as soon as possible, if you ever find a copy pick it up right away, as this is a film that should have a place in everyone's collection. This film is as relevant in today's society as it was during the height of the Cold War when it was released back in 1964. As long as there is war, and fanatical people in positions of power, this is a relevant film. As long as there are nuclear weapons in existence on this planet this is a relevant film. Like I said one of the most important and must see-films ever made.