“Dr. Strangelove” is simultaneously dated and timeless.
It is both a time capsule of issues specific to the 1960s and a portrait of how the worst human impulses can lead to disaster. It is also one of the best-made dark comedies of all time.
“Dr. Strangelove” starts with Brig. Gen. Jack Ripper ordering a surprise nuclear attack on the Soviet Union, due to his suspicion they are using fluoridation to “sap and impure our precious bodily fluids.” Everybody from the President to Ripper’s British aide Lionel Mandrake tries to stop the attack from succeeding.
Though the concept of fluoridation being a Communist plot may seem far-fetched today, it was indeed a popular conspiracy in the 1960s. The various arms races and fears of gaps between the capabilities of the United States and the Soviet Union are frequently referenced and satirized.
But the basic human emotions and desires that lead to nuclear war in “Dr. Strangelove” are still with us. Fear and the need to beat our enemies at any cost still threaten us in a world that houses more than 15,000 nuclear weapons.
“Dr. Strangelove” may sound bleak, and it is, but it is also very funny. The comedic centerpiece of the film is the three performances given by Peter Sellers, who plays the President, Mandrake and the title character. With the help of makeup, and his gift for voices, he is unrecognizable and hilarious in every part.
I’ve heard many people say comedy lives in the details. The comedic brilliance of “Dr. Strangelove” can be seen in the ridiculous names of the characters, which include “General Buck Turgidson” and “President Merkin Muffley.” Even a minor character played by a young James Earl Jones gets the memorable name of “Lieutenant Lothar Zogg.”
I love comedies, but they are not often visually inventive. Most comedies are content to use a lot of medium shots and relatively straightforward editing to emphasize the performances. This can lead to a lot of laughs, but it also leaves you longing for more.
“Dr. Strangelove” is one of the most originally shot comedies I’ve ever seen. There are more long shots in this film than in the average comedy, and they help you see the characters in a different light. Fast zooms help to emphasize important pieces of information.
One of the weaknesses of “Dr. Strangelove” is its representation of women. Tracy Reed is the only woman in the cast, and she wears a bikini and high heels in her only scene. Less sexualized female characters would have added something more to the film.
“Dr. Strangelove” is both an exceptional portrait of the anxieties of the 1960s and a warning against future nuclear conflicts. Its razor sharp wit and visually different cinematography make it a continual treat to watch.
Jesse Pasternack
@jessepasternack
