Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb [Special Edition] [DVD] [1964]

This is the funniest film ever made. Peter Sellers at his peak, with the most biting satire ever devised. This comes from the minds of co-writers Stanley Kubrick and Terry Southern. The plot is as follows in a nutshell: General Jack D. Ripper goes mad and orders his planes to go attack Russia. The rest of the film consists of the rest of the world trying to prevent this occurance. The film only has three locations: Ripper's office, the cockpit of a B-52, and the War Room. To put it simply this film is a comedy about "nuculur combat toe to toe with the Ruuskies." Every viewing gives a new aspect to the film. Although Peter Sellers is brilliant, every other character is flawless: George C. Scott walks away with the film, as manly General Turgidson. Filled to brim with taut direction, Dr. Strangelove is not only a comedic masterpiece, it is a master enjoying himself creating a masterwork of art. Note: This is the edition to get. i cannot stress this enough. This DVD has Kubrick's approved alternating transfer that switches between 1.33:1 and 1.66:1. The new "restored anniversary edition" has a 1.66:1 transfer that crops the top and bottom of the frame completely off. I've compared the two, and the only good thing about the new edition is a few bonus features. This edition has plenty though. And it has a much better price with Kubrick's true vision of the film.

This Stanley Kubrick film is perhaps the best dark comedy ever made! General Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) basically goes bonkers and launches a nuclear assault against Russia. With only hours until his planes reach their targets, Ripper's aide Captain Mandrake (Peter Sellers) attempts to talk sense into him. At the same time, the President (Sellers again) tries to contemplate other options given to him by both General Buck Turgidson (George C. Scott) and the title character (Sellers yet again), who informs him of what could be done should the worst occur. Like all great comedies, this film has hilarious lines. There was also a ring of truth to it in 1964 (the height of the Cold War & the true beginning of the U.S.'s involvement in Vietnam) which, given the paranoia of the post-9/11 era, is still relevant today. This movie, released the same year as the first two Pink Panther films (The Pink Panther & A Shot in the Dark), represents the high mark of Peter Sellers's genius.

Kubrick has often been critiqued as a cold, cerebral filmmaker, one who emphasized his artistic and painterly skills rather than any intimate human moments. In some ways, he did. He wasn't a director who one would think of as imbuing his films with any comedic elements. But with "Dr. Strangelove," however, I personally feel that Kubrick let rip with some of the most hysterically funny situations and dialogue ever in an anti-war black comedy. Sure, the sets designed by the maestro Ken Adam are amazing and brilliant. Sure, the gorgeous black-and-white photography is a glory to behold. But it's the humor that could be found in what was a terribly uneasy, scary time -- the Cold War -- that was Kubrick's gift to discriminating cinemaphiles everywhere. It's a classic.

It's been a few years since I saw Doctor Strangelove. It amazes me what Stanley Kubrick and the writers got away with in the early sixties. The film is definitely satirical in its approach and kind of puts a silly spin of the Cold War fears of nuclear destruction. In the midst of all that, you find characters who, while caricatures of types of people, have some of the most wickedly funny names, which poke even more fun at the characters. Starting with the titular character, Doctor Strangelove, add in General Bull Turgidson, and of course the president in the movie (you'll have to watch to get his name), and finishing off with Major Chang, played by Slim Pickens riding the nuclear bomb as it falls to earth. A dark comedy to be sure, but worth the watch.

Peter Sellers outdoes himself as he plays 3 roles.Also starting George C. Scott, Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn, & James Earl Jones. Produced & directed by Stanley Kubrick....can it get better ?? An entertaining & thought provoking film about what would happen if the wrong person pushed the button for the hydrogen bomb in a satirical situation. Peter Sellers is brilliant as he plays 3 different roles. It's been said that Dr. Strangelove has somehow lost it's appeal over the years....NO WAY !! It's as brilliant today as it's initial release time. It is full of lampoons and crazy warmongering machismo that never goes out of style. This film will have you wondering and laughing simultaneously. Truly a film that spans generations.

I will assume that most people know about the movie (arguably the greatest black comedy of all time); so, I'll just stick to reviewing the steelbook. Dr. Strangelove was previously released on Blu-ray only in a digipak. That digipak is now out of print. So, thank God Best Buy decided to re-release the film on Blu-ray in a steelbook. The artwork on the steelbook fits the film perfectly, and this blu-ray has the same transfer and all of the features that the previous release had. Excellent release all-around!

It's a fantastic film as all the Kubrick's films are. Unfortunately due to limited supplies, the digibook which was the only version went out of print. However, thanks to Sony, the movie made its way to steelbook and is Best Buy exclusive. As you can see the cover art is stylistic. Inside has no design just plain gray color, but the disc has a drawing of bomb. Overall the movie and the steelbook are excellent. Get it before it goes oop again.

Simply a must-see. One of Kubrick's best and easily one of the best films of all-time. An epic, multi-character performance from Peter Sellers is reason enough, but the cast as a whole is great. A film of its time, but is still relevant today. Criterion has masterfully created the best version yet of this film on Blu-ray. I don't think you can get any better. If you love this film, this is a must-own.