The prospect of a nuclear showdown that will end the world has often been the topic of discussion over the last 60 odd years since the first nuclear bomb was dropped in WW II. In his trademark satirical style, Stanley Kubrick takes us through such an eventuality, when a loose cannon US General orders a nuclear strike on the USSR, fearing a contamination of American bodily fluids through water fluoridation.General Ripper asks his executive officer, Group Captain Mandrake to issue the launch code to all B-52 bomber units stationed close to the USSR to undertake nuking of their specific targets. Thinking that it is a routine exercise, Mandrake issues the command, but is unable to recall the planes because Ripper does not give him the abort codes. The matter goes right up to President Muffley who summons Gen. Turgidson, the architect of ‘Wing Attack Plan R’ that allows field commanders to authorize use of nuclear weapons in the eventuality of a Soviet strike taking out Washington DC. As the planes approach their targets, their radio communications are shut as part of the plan and a way needs to be found to stop the attack.
Set in black and white, Kubrick’s screenplay and direction make a mockery of several themes such as fool proof battle planning, bravery, diplomacy and leadership. The screenplay is replete with sketches of trigger happy characters who fumble around a situation that threatens the existence of the world. He lampoons several stereotypes, such as Russians being drunkards and womanizers and Americans being cowboys looking for the next shootout. The 90 minutes of insanity also brings out the dark undertone of lives of many across the world being in the hands of a few nuclear capable countries. Any rogue attack could lead potentially destroy life as we know it through a series of retaliatory strikes, in accordance with the principle of Mutually Assured Destruction.
Peter Sellers plays a stellar role, 3 roles in fact in this film. As Group Captain Mandrake, he is symbolic of the role of the UK as a seemingly equal, but submissive ally of the USA. As President Muffley, he plays a leader who is unable to control his country’s military policy making, and is bullied into submission. As Dr. Strangelove he plays a mad scientist, a former Nazi physicist who is fascinated with the idea of weapons of mass destruction and is busy planning for preservation of life after complete destruction. George C Scott as Gen. Turgidson plays a character that is symbolic of cold war brinkmanship and military thinking that shuns restraint and is looking for an excuse to strike.
Dr. Strangelove is one of the greatest political satires from the master of the form himself.
