"Dr. Strangelove" by Stanley Kubrick: a review

Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb was a black comedy film released in 1964. This movie ranks among classics like Audrey Hepburn Films. Dr. Strangelove was produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The screenplay of Dr. Strangelove was done by Stanley Kubrick, Teny Southern and Peter George. Dr. Strangelove was loosely based on Peter George’s thriller novel Red Alert. This film is commonly known as Dr. Strangelove with casting line Peter sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn, Slim Pickens, edited by Anthony Harvey and distributed by Columbia Pictures.

It centered around the story of air force general Jack Ripper who wants to blow up the Soviet Union using the hydrogen bomb. He has this wild idea that the Soviet will poison the Americans by polluting the air and water with harmful substances. Grab a comfy spot in bed and enjoy this movie. The story follows three characters, namely: Group Captain Lionel Mandrake, U.S. President Merkin Muffley, and Dr. Strangelove.

The three characters work together to stop the general from executing his plan while the Soviet is threatening to retaliate should Jack Ripper’s plan push through. This is where the suspense comedy kicks in as the movie unfolds with its story and the three characters act and converse making you laugh at times with the funny undertone of the movie on your screen.

The storyline of Dr. Strangelove is about an unhinged United States Air Force general who orders nuclear attack on the Soviet Union. There are three major characters in the film, Group Captain Lionel Mandrake, President Merkin Muffley and German born scientist Dr. Strangelove.

The movie starts during the height of Cold War, when crazy General Ripper orders nuclear bombers into the air to stop the communism at all costs. General Turgidson role played by George C. Scott contemplates what has happened in the war room of Washington DC with president and his staff.

Dr. Strangelove was based on the fact of the Cuban Missile Crisis which was fresh in the viewers’ mind and the concept of the hydrogen bomb, which was new and frightening at that time. This was a daring effort of Stanely Kubrick who has made the film satirical and funny about the highest bureaucrats, diplomats and high officials of United States. Dr. Strangelove also tells the consequences of the wrong decisions taken by the wrong persons, which ultimately leads to humorous results.

Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb was one of the most hilarious movies made so far, it shows the situation of the launching of nuclear attack without the permission of President, because the new protocol allows a lone base commander to order a nuclear attack if the chain of command is disrupted because of nuclear attack.

For this, the chain of command should be intact and General Turgidson argues that the protocol was solid but was misused by one individual. It shows the humor in the condition when nuclear war was ahead, and stills the argument was on the benefit of the protocol. Then the President invites the Soviet ambassador to pacify the situation and when the Soviet Premier was called on phone, he sounds to be drunk.

The Russians have put an automatic “Doomsday device” that will respond to any threat without any assistance of humans. Then here comes the Dr. Strangelove a German born American scientist who contemplates that it is possible to build such a device, but the Soviet device would be a deterrent and that is a secret.

Dr. Strangelove is like a World War III parody and shows the irony of the protocols about, what happens when the war protocols go wrong and the most disastrous effects can be produced even the intentions are not so bad.

The generals were shown as mad, Bomber was like cowboys and the leaders were shown as fools. So, Dr. Strangelove is a very entertaining and hilarious movie with the storyline so serious and frightening, but still let you enjoying it the most with the smile on your face.

Dr. Strangelove film is unique in the sense that it makes the viewer laugh amidst a seemingly horrific plot. Look at it this way: how many films comes to mind when it comes to suspense comedy type? This film, in black and white, still demands attention. Now you maybe you are curious about this and you want to see it. Keep in mind it was also nominated for Oscar awards so it sure is a quality film.

Remember that stress is something you can control. It all has to do with how you manage it. You can watch bad news and get informed without being affected if you are that type of person. If you are one of those people who gets even more stressed watching bad things in the news, better opt to watch a movie. But only a classic like Dr. Strangelove can take such a heavy topic as the fear of nuclear war or Armageddon and make you laugh and think about it.