Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)



* * * *
4 Stars

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Main Cast: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, and Slim Pickens
Nominated for 4 Oscars

Summary: U.S. Air Force Colonel Jack Ripper goes completely and utterly mad, and sends his bomber wing to destroy the U.S.S.R. He suspects that the communists are conspiring to pollute the "precious bodily fluids" of the American people. The U.S. president meets with his advisors, where the Soviet ambassador tells him that if the U.S.S.R. is hit by nuclear weapons, it will trigger a "Doomsday Machine" which will destroy all plant and animal life on Earth. Peter Sellers portrays the three men who might avert this tragedy: British Group Captain Lionel Mandrake, the only person with access to the demented Gen. Ripper; U.S. President Merkin Muffley, whose best attempts to divert disaster depend on placating a drunken Soviet Permier and the former Nazi genius Dr. Strangelove, who concludes that "such a device would not be a practical deterrent for reasons which at this moment must be all too obvious". Will the bombers be stopped in time, or will General Jack Ripper succeed in destroying the world ?

Review: First viewing, making my way through Kubrick's body of work, this is my 3rd one after 2001 and the Shining. Really enjoyed this, Peter Sellers was fantastic, and it was nice to see Sterling Hayden outside of the Godfather. Brilliatnly shot by Kubrick, enjoyed my first George C. Scott movie. The ending was unforgettable, very well done. Guess I'll try out my new film evaluation system...

Direction and Editing - 18/20
Acting and Caliber of the Main Cast - 20/20
Story, Keeps Interest - 18/20
Rewatchability - 17/20
Cinematography - 8/10
Supporting Cast - 9/10
Music - 8/10
Depth - 6/10

104/120 = 87%

87% = 4/5 Stars

Best Quote: "Well, boys, I reckon this is it - nuclear combat toe to toe with the Rooskies."