Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb 1964
8.4 / 10
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
After the insane General Jack D. Ripper initiates a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union, a war room full of politicians, generals and a Russian diplomat all frantically try to stop the nuclear strike.
After the insane General Jack D. Ripper initiates a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union, a war room full of politicians, generals and a Russian diplomat all frantically try to stop the nuclear strike.
Videos & Photos
All 3 Videos & 72 Photos
cast
Full Cast & Crew
... Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake / President Merkin Muffley / Dr. Strangelove
... General "Buck" Turgidson
... Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper
... Colonel Bat Guano
... Major "King" Kong
... Botschafter De Sadesky
User reviews
See All 3 Reviews23 Jun 2021 by CRCulver
Stanley Kubrick's 1964 film Dr. Strangelove is a hilarious film about the nuclear annihilation of the human race. Its plot combines three strands that lead inevitably to this doomsday. In the first, an Air Force base commander (Sterling Hayden) goes insane and launches the go-code for his B52s to drop the bomb on their targets in Russia, while a British captain on an officer exchange program (Peter Sellers) tries to reason with him. In the second strand, we see the crew of a B52 commanded by the cowboyish Major Kong (Slim Pickens) as they prepare to drop the bomb. Finally, there are the scenes from the Pentagon war room, where the American president (again Peter Sellers) harangues a general (George C. Scott) about how this could have happened, until the mysterious German scientist Dr. Strangelove (Peter Sellers yet again) offers a solution. Originally meant to be a straightforward adaptation of a political thriller novel, Dr. Strangelove became a madcap comedy. The characters' sexual quirks, anti-Communist hysteria and nonchalance about the coming apocalypse and are exaggerated to the point of farce. No other Peter Sellers film shows off his range of talents so well: he segues effortlessly between Captain Mandrake, a nervous fellow with a British accident already antiquated at the time the film was made, the staid American politician President Merkin Muffley, and Dr. Strangelove, one of the Nazi scientists that the USA brought over after World War II. Filmgoers must have perceived this film somewhat differently, when the threat of nuclear annihilation felt very real. Contemporary audiences won't fully get how black this black comedy is. Nonetheless, this film remains perennially funny, and even after numerous viewings over the last 15 years or so I still laugh every time.
Release Date:
Jan 29, 1964 (United Kingdom)
Run Time:
1hr 35`
MMPA Rating:
PG
Original Language:
English
Production Countries:
United Kingdom
Status:
Released
Plot Keywords:
Related Movies To
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Stanley Kubrick's 1964 film Dr. Strangelove is a hilarious film about the nuclear annihilation of the human race. Its plot combines three strands that lead inevitably to this doomsday. In the first, an Air Force base commander (Sterling Hayden) goes insane and launches the go-code for his B52s to drop the bomb on their targets in Russia, while a British captain on an officer exchange program (Peter Sellers) tries to reason with him. In the second strand, we see the crew of a B52 commanded by the cowboyish Major Kong (Slim Pickens) as they prepare to drop the bomb. Finally, there are the scenes from the Pentagon war room, where the American president (again Peter Sellers) harangues a general (George C. Scott) about how this could have happened, until the mysterious German scientist Dr. Strangelove (Peter Sellers yet again) offers a solution. Originally meant to be a straightforward adaptation of a political thriller novel, Dr. Strangelove became a madcap comedy. The characters' sexual quirks, anti-Communist hysteria and nonchalance about the coming apocalypse and are exaggerated to the point of farce. No other Peter Sellers film shows off his range of talents so well: he segues effortlessly between Captain Mandrake, a nervous fellow with a British accident already antiquated at the time the film was made, the staid American politician President Merkin Muffley, and Dr. Strangelove, one of the Nazi scientists that the USA brought over after World War II. Filmgoers must have perceived this film somewhat differently, when the threat of nuclear annihilation felt very real. Contemporary audiences won't fully get how black this black comedy is. Nonetheless, this film remains perennially funny, and even after numerous viewings over the last 15 years or so I still laugh every time.
A U.S. bomber plane is heading for Russia. Communications are unavailable. The Commie Russians have built a doomsday device. And, according to crazy, (wheelchair-bound?), ex-Nazi scientist, Dr. Strangelove, nuclear destruction is upon us all! Thanks to this eccentric comedy, I now have considerable respect for the talent of Peter Sellers. How he pulled off three totally different roles so convincingly is just beyond me. Especially his portrayal of the U.S. President; I could hardly believe that British Peter Sellers could do an American accent that naturally. This was apparently a very black comedy for its time, as the threat of nuclear war was really a thing when this was filmed. Offbeat, humorous script includes some eyebrow-raising, edgy dialogue and scenes. Would I recommend? Yes, to those with a open mind, or a taste for a truly bizarre kind of comedy.
**Sex and war in an extremely sarcastic and intelligent film.** This film is one of the best of director Stanley Kubrick's career, and is also one of the most iconic and acidic satire that cinema has ever seen. Inspired by a tense novel that was published in the same period, and by the political and military events that were taking place at the time, the film shoots in all directions to give us the most absurd and ridiculous image of the rivalry between the USA and the Soviet Union. Despite everything, and all the points in favor, I don't think this film is a true comedy. To me, honestly, it didn't make me laugh, although I absorb and understand the acidic irony that is here. The script begins with a very serious incident that could be true (and the US even reviewed its military strategies in order to prevent something similar from happening in real life): after inventing, in his troubled mind, a crazy conspiracy theory according to which the Soviets are poisoning American drinking water, a crazed general initiates a pre-orchestrated military protocol designed to retaliate against a Russian attack with the full force of their nuclear arsenal. But with one detail: there was no Russian attack, which would make the Americans the aggressor country, and responsible for a holocaust of biblical proportions. Informed of this, the president meets with his generals and, in direct articulation with the Kremlin, tries by all means to prevent the worst. What's extraordinary about this film is the way it ridicules the sexual arousal that several characters have around nuclear war. For these characters, the end of the world, total war, is an absolute fetish, portrayed in almost erotic detail. The most obvious cases are Generals Ripper and Turgidson: each, in his own way, vehemently expressing the mental connection they make between sex and war. Whether by the way they speak and express themselves, or more implicitly, by holding phallic elements that are increasingly evident, they are men who are horny in war. In the same line of thought, the commander of the American aircraft, who becomes a cowboy on horseback in the bomb, as if this were an extension of his male phallus. And what about the character of Strangelove? His name says it all! He is a Nazi scientist in the service of the Americans, and the way he tries to contain his excitement in anticipation of the end of the world is evident, for example, in the idea he suggests of a bunker where the survivors, handpicked (the Nazi idea of the eugenics is very present here), would spend their time having sex to save the human race. This is one of the great films in the career of Peter Sellers, a British actor who is famous for comedy. I've seen several of his films, and I already know his ability to play more than one character in the same film. Here, he gives life to three of the main characters, always with the same quality and professionalism. He is so good that it was really difficult to recognize the actor. George C. Scott and Sterling Hayden are also to be congratulated for the work they did in this film, which was certainly one of the ones that most immortalized them as actors. The best technical aspect of the film is the cinematography. Kubrick used various techniques to convey his erotic-military message, such as the opening credits, where an in-flight refueling becomes a symbolic copulation. The camera framing was also thought out in detail, with strategically placed close-up scenes, some characters very well highlighted and others reduced to the smallest expression of themselves (the American president, who is portrayed as incompetent, like his army is able to control). The film is a true lesson in black-and-white cinematography. The sets and costumes are also excellent, and the attack on the air base is one of the best and most realistic combat scenes I've seen in a modern war film. The soundtrack, finally, is one of the most ironic there is, and it perfectly matches the tone of the film. Highlight, of course, for the opening and ending themes.
Cast & Crew of
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Directors & Credit Writers
Cast
... Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake / President Merkin Muffley / Dr. Strangelove
... General "Buck" Turgidson
... Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper
... Colonel Bat Guano
... Major "King" Kong
... Botschafter De Sadesky
... Lt. Lothar Zogg
... Miss Scott
... Mr. Staines
FB
Frank Berry... Lt. Dietrich
... Adm. Randolph
... Lt. Kivel
RS
Roy Stephens... Frank
... Capt. 'Ace' Owens
... Burpelson AFB Defense Team Member
PT
Paul Tamarin... Lt. Goldberg
... Burpelson AFB Defense Team Member
... Burpelson AFB Defense Team Member
... Gen. Faceman
... Mandrake' aide (uncredited)
Produced By
Videos & Photos of
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Videos ( 3)
Re-Release Trailer
YouTube
![thumbnail-DR. STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB Official Trailer [1964]](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ja3n2Mxf21s/hqdefault.jpg)
Photos ( 72 )
Related Movies To
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024)
0 /10
Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
Run Time: 1hr 50` . MMPA: PG . Release: 19 Dec 2024
Director: Peter Lyons Collister , Jeff Fowler , Joey Coughlin
Producer: Shuji Utsumi , Hitoshi Okuno , Toby Ascher
Stars: Ben Schwartz , Keanu Reeves , Colleen O'Shaughnessey , Idris Elba , James Marsden , Tika Sumpter
Moana 2 (2024)
0 /10
After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana journeys alongside Maui and a new crew to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced.
Run Time: 1hr 40` . MMPA: PG . Release: 21 Nov 2024
Director: Dana Ledoux Miller , David G. Derrick Jr. , Jason Hand
Producer: Dwayne Johnson , Terri Douglas , Yvett Merino Flores
Stars: Auli'i Cravalho , Dwayne Johnson , Alan Tudyk , Rachel House , Temuera Morrison , Nicole Scherzinger
Red One (2024)
0 /10
After Santa Claus (codename: Red One) is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security must team up with the world's most infamous tracker in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.
Run Time: 2hr 4` . MMPA: PG-13 . Release: 31 Oct 2024
Director: Jake Kasdan , Riley Flanagan
Producer: John Wildermuth , Sky Salem Robinson , Katie Doyle
Stars: Dwayne Johnson , Chris Evans , J.K. Simmons , Bonnie Hunt , Kristofer Hivju , Kiernan Shipka
Dirty Angels (2024)
0 /10
During the United States' 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, a group of female soldiers posing as medical relief are sent back in to rescue a group of kidnapped teenagers caught between ISIS and the Taliban.
Run Time: 1hr 44` . MMPA: R . Release: 11 Dec 2024
Director: Teodora Petrova , Antony Tanev , Martin Campbell
Producer: Rob Van Norden , Les Weldon , Gabrielle Whyte Hart
Stars: Eva Green , Ruby Rose , Maria Bakalova , Reza Brojerdi , Christopher Backus , Jojo T. Gibbs
Back in Action (2025)
0 /10
Fifteen years after vanishing from the CIA to start a family, elite spies Matt and Emily jump back into the world of espionage when their cover is blown.
Run Time: 1hr 54` . MMPA: PG-13 . Release: 15 Jan 2025
Director: Kristina M. Peterson , Seth Gordon , J.J. Perry
Producer: Peter Chernin , John Papsidera , Datari Turner
Stars: Cameron Diaz , Jamie Foxx , Kyle Chandler , Glenn Close , Andrew Scott , Jamie Demetriou
Battle for the Western Front (2022)
8 /10
Inspired by Canuck WWI flying ace Billy Bishop, two young soldiers crash the front lines in August 1918. With the Allies detained, their platoon must desperately hold out alongside legendary Anishinaabe sniper Francis "Peggy" Pegahmagabow.
Run Time: 1hr 30` . MMPA: . Release: 06 Oct 2022
Director: Aaron Huggett
Producer: Rosemary Travis , Holly Huggett , Aaron Huggett
Stars: Christopher Cordell , Michael Lake , Michael Lake , Sylvain Plasse , Somerville Black , Aaron Huggett
Memoir of a Snail (2024)
0 /10
Forcibly separated from her twin brother when they are orphaned, a melancholic misfit learns how to find confidence within herself amid the clutter of misfortunes and everyday life.
Run Time: 1hr 34` . MMPA: R . Release: 17 Oct 2024
Director: Adam Elliot
Producer: Ricci Swart , Braiden Asciak , Ricky Taing
Stars: Eric Bana , Sarah Snook , Jacki Weaver , Kodi Smit-McPhee , Dominique Pinon , Magda Szubanski
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
0 /10
A listless Wade Wilson toils away in civilian life with his days as the morally flexible mercenary, Deadpool, behind him. But when his homeworld faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit-up again with an even more reluctant Wolverine.
Run Time: 2hr 8` . MMPA: R . Release: 24 Jul 2024
Director: Stewart Hamilton , Ana Oparnica Sebal , Josh McLaglen
Producer: Lucy Bevan , Toby Blyther , Lauren Shuler Donner
Stars: Ryan Reynolds , Hugh Jackman , Morena Baccarin , Emma Corrin , Matthew Macfadyen , Aaron Stanford
Despicable Me 4 (2024)
0 /10
Gru and Lucy and their girls—Margo, Edith and Agnes—welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Gru also faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina, forcing the family to go on the run.
Run Time: 1hr 34` . MMPA: PG . Release: 20 Jun 2024
Director: Chris Renaud , Patrick Delage
Producer: Robert Taylor , Sandrine Lagareste , Charlotte Reichenbach
Stars: Steve Carell , Kristen Wiig , Pierre Coffin , Will Ferrell , Sofía Vergara , Miranda Cosgrove
Inside Out 2 (2024)
0 /10
Teenager Riley's mind headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.
Run Time: 1hr 37` . MMPA: PG . Release: 11 Jun 2024
Director: Kelsey Mann
Producer: Paige Johnstone , Kim Collins , Josh Lowden
Stars: Amy Poehler , Phyllis Smith , Lewis Black , Tony Hale , Liza Lapira , Kingsley Perez
Henry Danger: The Movie (2025)
0 /10
Henry Hart meets a superfan—eager to fight crime with Kid Danger—who comes into possession of a device that can open up alternate realities. Facing a wild ride, Henry will need his best friend Jasper and his new superfan sidekick to find his way out or be stuck in another dimension forever.
Run Time: 1hr 26` . MMPA: PG . Release: 17 Jan 2025
Director: Amandine Dufraise , Lee Karlovic , Joe Menendez
Producer: Anita Kalathara , Joe Menendez , Ken Brooker
Stars: Jace Norman , Cooper Barnes , Riele Downs , Frankie Grande , Sean Ryan Fox , Ella Anderson
Arena Wars (2024)
0 /10
In 2045 convicted criminals are given the opportunity to compete on the world's #1 televised sporting event, Arena Wars. They must survive 7 rooms and 7 of the most vicious killers in the country. If they win, they regain their freedom.
Run Time: 1hr 36` . MMPA: . Release: 25 Jun 2024
Director: Brandon Slagle
Producer: Jeffrey J. Ellen , Omar Parker , Michael Mahal
Stars: Michael Madsen , Eric Roberts , Robert LaSardo , John Wells , Kevin Hager , BJ Mezek