Dr. Strangelove Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Smart, great social commentary and funny as hell. It is hard to believe this movie was made in the 60's. I can only wonder how much courage it must have taken to bash the military of the USA and the USSR in the middle of the cold war.
After all...
- 05.January.2011
- |
- by: wriswith
- wriswith rated this movie
 8/10Great
Dr. Strangelove Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Smart, great social commentary and funny as hell. It is hard to believe this movie was made in the 60's. I can only wonder how much courage it must have taken to bash the military of the USA and the USSR in the middle of the cold war.
After all this time this film is still great fun to watch. The only thing that is dated are the special effects, but that is to be expected.
So if you want a laugh out loud bizarre comedy, filled with social commentary, then you have to watch this film.
- 05.January.2011
- |
- by: wriswith
What did you think about this review?
Thank you for voting.
Abuse report sent
Report abuse
Close
|
There are very few perfect movies. I love "Citizen Kane" but sometimes Orson Welles' performance is just a shade too hammy and winking for my taste. "Psycho" is awesome but it has that babbling wrapup speech by the psychiatrist. Even my personal...
- 05.September.2010
- |
- by: ColumboFan
- ColumboFan rated this movie0/10
There are very few perfect movies. I love "Citizen Kane" but sometimes Orson Welles' performance is just a shade too hammy and winking for my taste. "Psycho" is awesome but it has that babbling wrapup speech by the psychiatrist. Even my personal favorite, "Tender Mercies", has a terrible off-key song that runs over the closing credits which irritates the hell out of me. But I've watched "Dr. Strangelove" countless times and it just doesn't have any flaws. I've tried to find them too - Kubrick kind of bugs me as a director. He made a lot of good movies - I love "The Killing" and "Paths of Glory" - but after "2001" ..zzz.. er, I'm sorry, I fell asleep there for a second. I just hear the title "2001" and I go right to sleep. Sometimes I think Stanley Kubrick likes fiddling with the buttons more than making actual entertainment, but that's just me. But, c'mon, "Eyes Wide Shut"? What the hell was THAT all about? You HAVE to be great director to make nudity boring. The orgy scene is about as exciting as a trip to the DMV. It must have taken years for Kubrick to suck the eroticism out of that movie. Anyway, you'd think that a comedy about nuclear annihilation would either go too far and turn into silliness, or be so dark as to seem like a sick joke. This kind of absurdism is very difficult to pull off, witness every other Terry Southern penned movie, or the career of Tim Burton, but Kubrick does not take one misstep. It's hilarious and disturbing in well timed measures, each balancing out the other. Kubrick's arm's length approach to things fits perfectly here - too much emotion would just get in the way of the satire. Peter Sellers was at his peak, George C. Scott is surprisingly funny and Sterling Hayden is great. A person just cannot go to his grave without seeing this movie.
- 05.September.2010
- |
- by: ColumboFan
What did you think about this review?
Thank you for voting.
Abuse report sent
Report abuse
Close
|
Its unfortunate that a movie like Dr. Strangelove wouldnt be appreciated if theatrically released today. Long, no-cut scenes and dialog drive this black-comedy filled with brilliant performances from Peter Sellers, Peter Sellers
and Peter...
- 04.August.2010
- |
- by: Dan Cassavaugh
- Dan Cassavaugh rated this movie0/10
Its unfortunate that a movie like Dr. Strangelove wouldnt be appreciated if theatrically released today. Long, no-cut scenes and dialog drive this black-comedy filled with brilliant performances from Peter Sellers, Peter Sellers
and Peter Sellers......I say this film wouldnt survive in todays market because audiences are always wanting more action, fast cuts, quick lines, and on-to-the-next-thing scenes. Dr. Strangelove lets the script breathe and the characters dont think they are being funny like you see in todays films. There is one marvelous scene in which 30 generals and politicians are just sitting in the war room with an ominous giant world map hovering over them filled with blinking lights representing the 34 planes and their targets. They're all discussing how to stop the planes and save the planet. The scene lasts 15 minutes relying only on dialog to survive. Its rare for a movie to even attempt a 15-minute, dialog-rich scene, with few cuts, and those that do have the characters walk through hallways or buildings or something while they make a plan so as to avoid the fear of boring the audience.
Dr. Strangelove has little-to-no action and uses the witty and intelligent script to keep the audiences attention. Something that wordy today, would most certainly flop at the box office. But it is precisely why Dr. Strangelove is still great some 45 years after it was made..... Five stars
- 04.August.2010
- |
- by: Dan Cassavaugh
What did you think about this review?
Thank you for voting.
Abuse report sent
Report abuse
Close
|
Stanley Kubrick has spawned the most unusual satirical memories in the best titled film in history.Dr. Strangelove differs from every other comedy mainly because it takes on an issue most would think twice about smirking at and pokes at its side...
- 12.July.2010
- |
- by: Turner
- Turner rated this movie10/10Must See
Stanley Kubrick has spawned the most unusual satirical memories in the best titled film in history.Dr. Strangelove differs from every other comedy mainly because it takes on an issue most would think twice about smirking at and pokes at its side until were forced to giggle at the sight.During the Cold War,Id imagine most were frightened to open their mouths for fear of saying something wrong but Strangelove clings to this knowledge and pressures an audience to feel less awkwardness is the way of unison laughter.
George C. Scott and Peter Sellers breathe life into this comedy,they lead a cast of national big shots who are completely clueless.What happens when are only hope is just as hopeless as we?The characters introduced leave images that stick with you and remain for a lifetime.General Turgidson(Scott) is perhaps the only character who shows fortitude but its overshadowed by his comedic expressions.Sellers creates a memorable trio with Mandrake,Muffley,and the title role of Strangelove.With such a stellar cast also consisting the likes of Sterling Hayden to Slim Pickens(probably the most well known),its no mystery why Strangelove has etched its way into cinematic culture.
The story from Kubrick and Terry Southern is more than just a well written screenplay with memorable images of Slim Pickens riding a nuclear bomb like a bronc,its a new way of humor carried without the flash.The whole movie swings back and forth from one location to another without a soul removing themselves from their spot.This picture is from a time when effects werent necessary.Kubrick simply splices together over the top footage of explosion to represent the bombs destruction and in his simplistic sense of directing the most complex style of character depth is revealed.Once again we see what Stanley wanted us to see and for that Ive fallen in love with the bomb.
- 12.July.2010
- |
- by: Turner
What did you think about this review?
Thank you for voting.
Abuse report sent
Report abuse
Close
|
Dr. Strangelove: the ultimate black comedy?
Everything is just right about Dr. Strangelove, everything makes sense. That is: it all makes sense the Peter Sellers way.
Everybody who knows the name Peter Sellers usually associates it with the Pink Panther films he did after Dr. Strangelove,...
- 18.May.2010
- |
- by: Sam-123
- Sam-123 rated this movie10/10Must See
Dr. Strangelove: the ultimate black comedy?
Everything is just right about Dr. Strangelove, everything makes sense. That is: it all makes sense the Peter Sellers way.
Everybody who knows the name Peter Sellers usually associates it with the Pink Panther films he did after Dr. Strangelove, but his real comic genius is displayed here. Every single character he plays is delightfully disturbed, far-fetched and so cleverly mentally unhinged you cannot help but love each and every one of them.
Peter Sellers' comedy style fit this plot perfectly: his clever delivery of the cynical, often biting wordplay jokes that would reach its ultimate fame with the creation of the seminal Inspector Clouseau ("The key tu my ruum please") matches his own particular brand of physical comedy (the brilliant performance he gives as Dr. Strangelove at the close of the movie). Gotta love the way he chucks out that famous line "No fighting in the War Room!"
But I feel obliged to point out the rest of the cast is brilliant as well: for instance George C. Scott is perfect as the war obsessed General Turgidson.
I'm not going to delve into the plot and how it shows mankind unbridled one-track stupidity. What I am going to give you is this: when you watch this movie, as several reviewers before me have said, you must remember you're watching in essence a period piece.
I myself watched it for the first time shortly after the whole "Saddam has mass destruction weapons" sketch was performed for the whole world to see and stupidly believe, so at that moment it was strangely relevant.
When watching Dr. Strangelove, it is best to at times remind yourself of the fact that the American people at this period in the 20th century were very afraid of the real danger of a nuclear war. (The Cuba crisis comes to mind).
Against that backdrop, this movie is almost a passionate political critique, but it should not be seen that way. It is a satire of American life, beliefs and understanding of the world at the beginning of the sixties.
At first sight, this might not be Kubricks best direction ever, but it ranks up there with Space Odyssey, Spartacus, Clockwork or The Shining. But not for the obvious reasons. Sure, it is a Kubrick, that isn't disguised in any way. It's not your usual in-your-face-style Kubrick as you might know it from Clockwork, yet it has much more common ground with the atmospherics of Space Odyssey and the to the point direction of The Killing or Paths of Glory. For those that want to study Kubrick's methods and his development over the years, Dr. Strangelove is an essential link between the earliest work and the maginificent work he put out at the end of the sixties and early seventies.
Go, stop worrying and love the bomb!
- 18.May.2010
- |
- by: Sam-123
What did you think about this review?
Thank you for voting.
Abuse report sent
Report abuse
Close
|
Parts of it are kind of slow
Dr. Strangelove comes from that olden era where plots, like, unfolded at a pace less than breakneck. I grew up in a bit of a different kind of world where the sweeping Spartacus has been replaced by Passion of the Christ. You gotta have that gore,...
- 22.June.2009
- |
- by: Laura
- Laura rated this movie10/10Must See
Parts of it are kind of slow
Dr. Strangelove comes from that olden era where plots, like, unfolded at a pace less than breakneck. I grew up in a bit of a different kind of world where the sweeping Spartacus has been replaced by Passion of the Christ. You gotta have that gore, right? That's the only way you can move someone. There's so much talent oozing out the sides of this film you could sop it up, wring it all out and make 10 oscar-winning movies. In a way, I guess this movie reminds me maybe of Fargo. But from 40 years earlier. And about a nuclear bomb. Does that make sense to you?
What did you think about this review?
Thank you for voting.
Abuse report sent
Report abuse
Close
|
As somebody born nearly 20 years after this film was made, it's difficult to understand what society was like around the Cold War and nuclear arms race, however the film is still relatable today... simply with a few minor changes (W. Bush as Ripper,...
- 23.March.2009
- |
- by: Michael
- Michael rated this movie6/10Okay
As somebody born nearly 20 years after this film was made, it's difficult to understand what society was like around the Cold War and nuclear arms race, however the film is still relatable today... simply with a few minor changes (W. Bush as Ripper, Rumsfeld as Turgidson, Middle East instead of Russia, terrorist fluoridation instead of fluoridation).
It's listed as a comedy, and it's definately a satire, but that may be misleading in today's world of satirical comedy (Scary Movie is what people may think... but this is satire in the true sense). It's subtle comedy; the best you'll get is probably a smirk or chuckle. I don't think you have to be highly educated to find the movie funny, you just have to have the right sense of humor.
Of course it being created in 1964 means it's not up to par with today's movies in terms of production quality, but I felt the story and acting took my attention away from all that, Peter Sellers was especially interesting to watch play 3 completely different characters, it is quite a performance.
Lastly, the film was quite short, which I felt was a plus, anybody can get their point across in a long strung-out 3 hour film, but Kubrick made it in just over an hour (I believe it was closer to 80 minutes than the 95 minutes it claims) and it didn't feel rushed or lacking.
- 23.March.2009
- |
- by: Michael
What did you think about this review?
Thank you for voting.
Abuse report sent
Report abuse
Close
|
Even if you hate Peter Sellers, the trick Kubrick pulled was a re-transmission of War of the Worlds or The Great Dictator. Forget that Darth Vader is in it. Don't shut it off after Slim rides the bomb. Sit Close Up To The Front. Soak In It. See This...
- 18.March.2009
- |
- by: Estlin Jack
- Estlin Jack rated this movie10/10Must See
Even if you hate Peter Sellers, the trick Kubrick pulled was a re-transmission of War of the Worlds or The Great Dictator. Forget that Darth Vader is in it. Don't shut it off after Slim rides the bomb. Sit Close Up To The Front. Soak In It. See This In The Theatre. It is Frakkin' Majik.
- 18.March.2009
- |
- by: Estlin Jack
What did you think about this review?
Thank you for voting.
Abuse report sent
Report abuse
Close
|
Dr. Strangelove
a classic political satire about paranoid generals and ignorant leaders and how they lead us all to doom. the chameleon like Peter Sellers in one of his most virtuosic performances.
- 01.November.2008
- |
- by: ani
- ani rated this movie0/10
Dr. Strangelove
a classic political satire about paranoid generals and ignorant leaders and how they lead us all to doom. the chameleon like Peter Sellers in one of his most virtuosic performances.
- 01.November.2008
- |
- by: ani
What did you think about this review?
Thank you for voting.
Abuse report sent
Report abuse
Close
|
Mood:
Plot:
Genres:
Time/Period:
Place:
Praise:
Humor:
Based on:
Attitudes:
Look:
Does this gene fit Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb?
