Sunday, May 4, 2014

Dr. Strangelove by Stanley Kubrick

Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964)



   It's a woderful life, I decided to watch another black-and-white movie classic. My first pick was this movie because it lasts precisely 90 minutes - and I did not have any more time to watch longer film. I must say I  love Stanley Kubrick's work and I began watching Dr. Strangelove with pretty high expectations. After I finished watching it, it was obvious that the movie was directed by Kubrick. Next to Capra's masterpiece, this movie was something totally different. I am not saying this movie is bad, actually, I think the movie is great. It is a strong critic to the politics of the '50s and '60s and a satirical and provocative black comedy. But I wasn't able dedicate all my toughts to this movie because I haven't experienced those times and I can only presume what exactly this movie was aiming to criticize.
Where to begin? After




   Let's talk about actors now. Actor, to be precise. Peter Sellers - the man and the legend. Before watching the movie, I read some articles about it and came across one interesting article complimenting Peter Sellers for doing 3 roles so good. I was shocked a little and sceptical - thinking how good can a movie be when there is one actor playing 3 roles? But Sellers' preformace was so perfect that not in any moment I actually realized there is one man playing 3 roles. Every role he played was polished to perfection. This is a real example of a good actor -  being able to present every type of character he is told to. I read somewhere that he was supposed to play the fourth role, he learned the right accent, but then broke a leg and wasn't able to play the last role. Despite that, I think no one will argue about his performace being just perfect.


    Dr. Strangelove - it is an interesting name. Strange and love. Two words that can describe this movie. It is one paradox. A former nazi scientist who now works for the U.S. has in his hands the decision about who will be saved and chosen to preserve human race. He talks about  The art od deterrence. A strategy of threats and creating enemy's fear. The Soviets had a Doomsday device - a machine that would cause the end of the all life on Earth. This device is fictional and it presents the Russian and the American nuclear power put together. The power strong enough to end the life of all living creatures. This movie shows the paradox of this nuclear deterrence. If someone attacks first - the other side will surely fight back and therefor there would be no winner and loser - just a bunch of dead people and maybe even the end of the human race.


                   " Of course, the whole point of a Doomsday Machine is lost, if you keep it a secret!"

  Through this satirical, black comedy Kubrick really managed to show every side of meaningless nuclear war to his viewers. This movie will surely be remembered as one of his greatest titles along with the Space Odysses and Clockwork Orange. I would say that this movie is worth watching a few times because there is always something that you can analyse - one sentence that you've missed, but says alot about something.
Thanks for reading!




  There is a lot to talk about this movie that I cannot explain because it is too complex or it is too long to explain. So, if any of you are interested in reading more about it, here is a great source: link.


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