Truly Dreadful Film

Too much of everything

Powerful

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Great info about Dr. Strangelove in James B. Harris's words,how it was developed and imagined by Kubrick,why he choose Slim Pickens to pilot's role after tried Peter Sellers which didn't work,how about the giant and expensive set of war's room and the airplaine's cockpit,James Earl Jones interview and much more!!!Resume:First watch: 2018 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7

This 46-minute retrospective documentary covers a lot of interesting and informative ground on the making of Stanley Kubrick's black comedy classic "Dr. Strangelove." Made at the height of the Cold War, "Dr. Strangelove" was originally intended to be a straight thriller until Terry Southern was brought in to make it more darkly humorous. Moreover, over 150 tradesman were involved in building the sprawling war room set, the B-52 bomber proved to be a bit too realistic and accurate for comfort, Peter Sellers did a lot of improvisation, Slim Pickens was cast at the last minute (Pickens was initially going to play Major 'King' Kong), Sterling Hayden came out of retirement to portray Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper, Kubrick filed a lawsuit against the makers of "Fail Safe" in order to prevent the rival film from hurting his movie's chances at cleaning up at the box office, and the theatrical release of the picture was postponed due to JFK's assassination. In addition, there's some especially compelling stuff about the infamous crème pie fight sequence that was done in a single take and ultimately cut from the movie. Essential viewing for fans of the film.

It's been more than half a century since the release of "Dr. Strangelove" and yet references to it still crop up in vernacular culture from time to time. It's made that much of an impression, illustrating the tragedy and the comedy implicit in the concept of Mutual Assured Destruction. Each side is afraid to launch, knowing that the other side will also launch, and the insects will inherit the earth.Yet, I wonder exactly how much of that initial impression has faded, and how very selective the lesson has become. We no longer have great big bombers circling at Fail-Safe points or myriad nuclear missiles pointed at one another, but we are building wall, shields, missiles, and seem to be readying ourselves for the next Cold War. Our attempts at suppressing nuclear proliferation in unstable areas are sometimes ridiculed as foolhardy. Is there something in us that ENJOYS the rush of danger? Is tranquility boring? Enough of the lectern. This neatly produced documentary about the making of the film begins at the beginning, Kubrik's discovery of the novel that the movie is based on, and ends with a celebratory recounting of the film's merchandising, like the sale of cheap radioactive counters modeled on that used by Dr. Strangelove.If you haven't looked into the production before, you'll find some new stuff, like a misspelling in the opening titles. If you already know something about it, you'll learn still more from the interviews with surviving participant, most of the principals, alas, having passed on."Dr. Strangelove" is a brilliant film, from the sexy opening shots of B-52s refueling in midair, to the closing exclamation from Peter Seller's sinister character.

"Inside... Strangelove" is, as the title states, an account of the making of Kubrick's jet-black cold war opus. Covering topics as diverse as Pablo Ferro's dazzling handwritten titles, to Laurie Johnson's musical adaptations, to Gilbert Taylor's striking black-and-white camerawork, to Terry Southern's kinky sense of humor, no subject pertaining to Strangelove has been neglected. Even Kubrick's lawsuit against the makers of the thematically similar "Fail Safe" is recounted, with "Fail Safe" helmer Sidney Lumet adding comments! This picture is a model of economy. Lasting only 45 minutes in length, the creators crammed an astonishing amount of information, and interview subjects, within a relatively short running time. If you have a Bachelors in "Strangelove", this documentary will give you a Masters.The only liability is the somewhat annoying narration, which could be an homage to the equally annoying narration in The Killing (1956). Aside from this minor problem, "Inside... Strangelove" beautifully documents an important work by one of America's finest directors. Don't miss this one!