The Chauvel Cinema in Sydney occasionally runs festivals of old films with a particular theme. At the moment they are running one every Friday night about crazy people. I love to try and see old films on the big screen because I feel you see them in a different light. Being in a cinema you can concentrate on them more.
Stanley Kubrick is one of those directors that I have a great deal of respect and admiration for but I don't necessarily enjoy all his films or for that matter seen them all. Yes I know that's wrong of me. 'The Shining' and 'Dr. Strangelove' are my two favourites of his films. Kubrick was not known for his comedies but he still had a great comedic streak as evidenced by this film. This is usually towards the top of the list as one of the funniest films of all time and it is not hard to see why. While the film was made in 1964, the themes and issues it deals with are still very relevant today. You just have to change the nationality of the enemy. Movies like this that make fun of politicians are always funny as they treat these people as buffoons who, while having the best intentions in mind, still go a bit overboard in their intent. These types of films then have fun poking holes in the crazy overboard policies that our political leaders come up with. They possibly rush things through and so don't examine all the possibilities that can happen. But then again there is always the rogue human element as evidenced by this film. The one small element they did not expect to happen. There is also a great deal of humour that comes from seeing the team on the bomber go through their routines without any knowledge of whats going on on the ground. But it is a nervous laugh. Because when you really think about it, something like this could really happen. Then as you watch the ending, you realise how scary this film is. While 'The Shining' was a very obvious horror film this one is a great deal more subtle and realistic.
Peter Sellers is one of the greatest comedic actors who ever lived. I did not come to admire him until later in my life but I have been collecting many of his films now. Sellers has three roles in this film and does all of them brilliantly. As Group Captain Lionel Mandrake and President Merkin Muffley, while being funny, is more the straight man to a wild and crazy character he plays off. He is able to get humour from being the more rational person in the room reacting to all the craziness around him. That's not to say he does not get to play the crazy character. Dr. Strangelove is one of the greatest comedic characters ever created. Considering the the film is named after him he does not get much screen time. But when he does it is a joy to behold. One of the great things about seeing this film on the big screen is you get to see more details. Such as the wild and crazy look that Sellers gives to Strangelove. You can see the madness in his eyes. The other great comedic performance in the film is from George C. Scott. While I've not seen all of Scott's films I think he known more for his dramatic roles so that makes his performance here all the better. I also like Slim Pickens who I'm a fan of from 'Blazing Saddles'.
A classic comedy that is just as relevant today as it was back in 1964. I encourage everyone to see it mainly for one of the best comedic performances from Peter Sellers.
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