"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here, this is the War Room!" Classic line!! 🤣

Major Kong, riding the nuclear bomb like a bronco straight to oblivion, is one of the most iconic scenes in cinema.

The actor who played the ambassador did everything he could to not laugh when Sellers played Strangelove. Look at his face, he's dying.

For the ending, I always took it as Dr. Strangelove's inner Nazi, which he repressed after defecting to the USA, was finally coming out as he realised he could pick which humans to save and which to let die to the Doom's Day Device. And I took it that his paralysis was psychosomatic, caused by the abandonment of his Nazi ideals. Then as he starts to realise he could form the "master race" by programming the computer to decide who to save and then breading the survivors in the mine shafts, he gets excited. That's why he keeps accidentally saying "Mein Führer" instead of "Mister President." His arm keeps trying to sieg heil; when he tries to stop, it turns on him. When he completely embraces his Nazi ideals, he can walk again. I think this ending is Kubrick saying that all those german scientists that the USA took in during operation paperclip to help fight the USSR in the arms and space races are just waiting for their chance to bring back Nazism. Remember when this came out it was only like 19 years after WWII.

"MEIN FURHER, I CAN WALK" one of my most favorite endings to a movie ever

There is a terrifying amount of truth in this movie.

George C. Scott falling backwards in the war room was not written in the script. He legitimately tripped but kept going with his line. Kubrick decided to keep the scene in the movie.

I was in the Air Force when this movie came out and actually saw it in the movie theater on the Air Force base. When it was over, I walked out of the theater absolutely astounded that it had been allowed to be shown on base.

Peter Sellers was a legit genius. A lot of his dialogue was improvised. You should check out 'Being There' ('79).

Fun Fact: Major Kong's line, "Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Vegas with all that stuff!", was originally, "Shoot, a fella could have a pretty good weekend in *Dallas* with all that stuff!", but was dubbed over at the last minute because of the JFK assassination.

Sellers said of the 50 plus movies he starred in, Dr Strangelove was the one he was proudest of and enjoyed working on the most. Sellers plays Claire Quilty in Lolita (a Stanley Kubrick movie) as well.

I'm actually not sure which of Peter Sellers' roles is funnier. The President's one-sided conversation on the phone is absolutely hilarious but Dr Strangelove himself is utterly brilliant.

I find it funny that the man who physically played Darth Vader is in A Clockwork Orange. And the man who did the voice for Darth Vader is in Dr. Strangelove

Dr Strangelove actually caused a minor panic in SAC, and they revised their protocols to be sure events in the movie could never happen in real life.

'My Fuhrer, I can walk!' One of the best last lines ever.

"There is no fighting in the War Room!" One of the greatest movie lines of all time.

"Mien Fuhrer, I can walk!'...followed by the bombs going off to 'We'll meet Again'...a classic ending.

From what I've heard, Kubrick originally intended for this film to be a drama. However, the longer he worked on it before shooting, the more he realized how absurd the characters were, and at some point he changed the whole thing to a dark comedy.

The president's initial conversation with the Russian premier is one of the funniest scenes I have ever seen in any movie. To make a one-sided phone call that hysterical is a true testament to Sellers' comedic abilities. Scott's facial expressions in this are the stuff of legends, and I loved that you were wondering what the hell that was when he fell over and sprang back up mid-rant. That was an accident, but Kubrick loved it and left it in because it so perfectly shows how deliriously worked up he is about the situation.

Aside from being one of the funniest comedies ever made, this movie is actually incredibly haunting because of how plausible this kind of situation is. Especially at the time this was made when nuclear war seemed so inevitable, Kubrick really showed how absurd the whole thing was in such a darkly funny way. Also since you guys pretty far into his filmography, I’d recommend doing eyes wide shut, barry lyndon and paths of glory

George C Scott is well known for playing General Patton in the movie Patton. Another good movie you guys should react to!

I'm so glad you guys did this one! Not enough reactors watch this classic. Don't be afraid of the black-and-white films, people! Lack of colour does not mean lack of entertainment.

Sterling Hayden, as " Gen. Jack D.Ripper ", also played the corrupt policeman " Captain Mc Cluskey " in ' The Godfather.'

You’d be surprised at why lipstick, nylon stocking and condoms get into that survival kit. They can all be used for something in a survival situation. Lipstick will write on almost any surface in waterproof letters. Condoms can be used to carry large amounts of water and prevent ingress of dirt into wounds or as makeshift surgical gloves. Tights can be used to bind around dressings that need the opposite of waterproofing, ie to breathe, and can be used to filter large particles from water. And most importantly, you can look gorgeous and indulge in safe sex whilst surviving behind enemy lines. All critical stuff! 🤣

The layout of the B-52 cockpit instruments was so accurate it caused the CIA to investigate the set designers for being spies. The government was shaken to its core. Ha

Peter Sellers was a genius. Check out Being There, it was one of his final appearances and one of his best.👍😂

The theme playing in the B-52 was "when Johnny comes marching home."

The General's fall was an accident, but the actor continued in character, and spoke his line. Directors often do keep mistakes in, if the mistakes are better than the original.

When Ronald Reagan became President he asked to be shown the War Room, which of course never existed

Movie reaction channels are starting to get more into classics and i'm here for it. So GOOD!

Peter Sellers played multiple roles in several movies, usually making each character so unique that it was hard to remember they were all him. In this film you can see his genius as he plays Mandrake, The President, and Dr Strangelove, three personas so extremely different that they never seem like just one actor.

Peter Sellers does an amazing job playing multiple characters in this movie 😄😃😂

The song is, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home, " which is an old war time song. The seriousness of the music along with the absurdity of the action always cracks me up. Plus there's the sardonic joke that in a nuclear war, Johnny isn't going to be marching home.

Another great early Kubrick film is "Paths of Glory." A WWI drama starring Kirk Douglas.

Like the rest of us, Stanley Kubrick was amazed by the talent of Peter Sellers and basically let him run free. The only other time he did that was with R. Lee Ermey's crazed drill sergeant in "Full Metal Jacket". An even earlier film than this one by Kubrick, "Lolita", also features Sellers doing several characters and is seriously worth watching.

You can tell George C Scott's character is worried when he ends his call with his secretary in the war room with, "....Sugar, don't forget to say your prayers."

"listen if it wasn't friendly you probably wouldn't have even got it" that always cracks me up

One of the greatest films of all time! The sheer brilliance of Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Slim Pickens, Keenan Wynn, and, a young James Earl Jones, all combined with the genius of Kubrick, in a comedy!

For the longest time I didn't realize Sellers was playing 3 characters. That's how good he is.

Dr Strangelove and The Life Of Brian are probably the two finest - and most profound - comedies ever made in the history of film. One is dark hearted and the other is light hearted. Perfect balance.

Gentlemen you cannot fight in here! This is the War Room!

Dr. Strangelove himself was a reference to all the German scientists and doctors brought to the US after WWII. That explains the salute, etc. He probably also had something called "Alien Limb Syndrome", a real condition where limbs operate on their own and often can't be controlled by the person. Peter Sellerz did a good job in that role, and the others he played in this movie.

Berry Lyndon is a must see for Kubrick fans! I’d argue his best work, easily in my 3 films of all. It also tons of comedic elements.

The "serious" version of this is "Fail Safe" with Henry Fonda.

"You cant fight in here, this is a war room!"

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="880">14:40</a> That IS Strategic Air Command's real-life motto.

Next, you should definitely look at Barry Lyndon. It’s one of the most amazing Kubrick films I’ve ever seen and also far too criminally underrated masterpiece.

The actor who played Major Kong, the bomber pilot, was Slim Pickens, who primarily played in western movies. For him to wear the cowboy hat when they get their orders fits that persona, and for him to be riding the nuclear bomb like a bucking bronco in a rodeo is the quintessentially highest performance of his career. He was picked for this role specifically because of that background in western movies.

Plane scenes were played to “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”. Funniest comment by Sam when Kong rides the bomb down to his death: “ I feel that’s how he would have wanted to go.” 😂 Hey who wouldn’t? Beats being eaten by Jaws for example.

Sterling Hayden--who plays General Ripper--is wonderful in Kubrick's first good movie "The Killing." "Paths of Glory" is the first great Kubrick film, and "Dr. Strangelove" cemented his reputation.

The first time I watched Dr Strangelove, I was about 10 years old and the humour went straight over my head. It was pretty scarey stuff at that age!

That is indeed actual footage of nuclear bomb tests at the end, and the song "We'll Meet Again" was a famous song from WWII. The singer, Dame Vera Lynn actually only passed away last year at 103 years old.

The US government freaked out when they saw this because they got so much right The "I deny them my essence" bit is so funny. Kubrick is rightly remembered for his darker movies but this is a classic comedy that influenced generations

"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here - this is the War Room!"

My irony was always really stroked by the scene where they're fighting to the entrance gate of the base, the giant firefight under the huge 'Peace is our profession' billboards. So perfect. Just like 'You cant fight in here, this is the warroom!'

Its always been crazy to me how George C Scott went from THIS comedic role, THEN to play the very serious, intense Patton five years later. Such a contrast.

As others have mentioned, Failsafe with Henry Fonda is a more serious take on the theme here. ...and a slightly more recent take on the doomsday scenario... Wargames ;-)

George C. Scott's slip and roll was an accident. Kubrick kept it because it was funny. Also, the place the bomber was targeting, Laputa, gets its name from "Gulliver's Travels". It was the place where geniuses ruined society through terrible leadership. Finally, the Strangelove character was inspired by Edward Teller, the "Father of the Nuclear Bomb". :-)

This movie is so hilarious. And the performances of Peter Sellers - brilliant.

Strangelove is one of the greatest of all time films. And the character himself was Kubrick making fun of Operation Paperclip: where the USA took Nazi scientists involved in their research and weapons programs, shipped them back to the USA, and put them to work designing the next generation of weaponry. Soviets did it too, and a lot of these guys were hardcore Nazis and we both turned a blind eye to their War Crimes to help our side gain a strategic advantage over the other.

The films shows what would happen if a general got so paranoid, he decided to send his planes carrying nuclear weapons to attack Russia. It's a a brilliant and well made dark comedy cold war film.

"You can't fight in here this is the War room!" 😆 This Movie's Dialogue is Hilarious!

George C. Scott wanted to play his character straight which Kubrick allowed him to do, under one condition...he would do an extra take and play it over the top. Kubrick ended up using only the over the top extra takes. Scott was not too pleased.

I love dark comedies and this is the gold standard.

This is the second movie that Peter Sellers made in which he plays 3 parts. The other was the 1959 comedy "The Mouse That Roared." Then there's Alec Guinness who played 8 parts in "Kind Hearts & Coronets." Both of them were in one of the 5 funniest movies ever made (imho,) "The Lady Killers" (1955) along with Herbert Lom - who was the chief inspector in the Pink Panther movies. BTW - I'm not talking about the DREADFUL remake of "The Ladykillers" with Tom Hanks. I'm referring to the original British comedy.

SUCH fun watching you two watch Kubrick's brilliant black comedy! I've been loving this bit of genius for 57 years! Might I recommend a follow up to George C. Scott's comedic acting job here -- "Patton" about the WWII American Army general. Not a comedy but one the best war movies/biographies ever made. Scott will knock your socks off.

You should watch “Fail Safe” for a non-comedic version of basically this same plot.

Fun fact: The original ending of the movie was everyone in the war room getting into a big food fight and literally throwing pies in each other's faces. They filmed it, but Kubrick thought that it was a little too goofy and belaboring of the point, so he ended it with the b-roll of nuclear explosions and the song. I always kinda wish that they'd kept the pie fight. It feels like a natural conclusion to the whole "There's no fighting in The War Room" thing.

I like how the scenes in the War Room were kind of composed like paintings, with everybody but the people speaking being very still.

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="211">3:31</a>, Slim Pickens, he was in Blazing Saddles and his last film was The Howling.

The song played during the scenes on the bomber was “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again”. 😎

keep in mind you only had one chance to see the desired effect of sellers playing three characters: you did not suspect/you couldn't tell...and that is the best tribute to his skill he could ask for. Going back and watching him do it is the next pleasure. If you would like to be amazed by another such instance: "Kind Hearts and Coronets" 1949.

It's awesome that Peter Sellers can play three different characters from three different countries. It would've been 4. He was supposed to play the bomber captain. But he hurt his leg and couldn't do the role, so it went to Slim Pickins.

Dr Strangelove's arm with its own mind is an actual syndrome called alien hand syndrome. Also when they refer to a mineshaft space "gap", it satirizes the so-called "missile gap" hysteria of hawkish politicians and the military at the time.

The story I have heard is that this was the height of the cold war, where it seemed nukes might fall at any minute, and Kubrick had just read a book about the subject, which made him really depressed. But then he got his hands on this script, and it was basically a way for him to learn to cope with the whole "nuclear war might start at any moment" by turning it into something you could laugh at.

All of your favorite comedy moments (the phone calls with Dimitri, the physical antics of Dr. Strangelove, etc.) were all improvised by Sellers. What a talent.

General Jack D. Ripper was Captain McCluskey in the Godfather

The best possible reaction to this movie!!!! (And congrats for breaking the black & white barrier! Some of the best movies ever are in b&w!) And great post-film discussion! I love what TBR says: "He could have done comedy the rest of his career!" Never thought of that, you are absolutely right. (His previous movie, "Lolita", definitely has similar dark, cynical humor). 1.) Just in case you didn't notice: Sterling Hayden who played General Ripper played the police chief McLuskey in the Godfather (who punches Pacino out, later shot at the table!). Did you recognize him? (He's also in Kubrick's first movie, "The Killing".) 2.) Romantic refueling, you say during the opening credits! Yes! That was intentional! If you notice, all the images of the planes are sexual! 3.) George C. Scott was so hilarious, his other most iconic performance is also as a general: Patton! Really great movie! 5.) "Paths Of Glory", Kubrick's 1957 trench-warfare movie is absolutely one of his greatest and most powerful, definitely you'll love that (and it's not a long movie!)! That would be my personal recommendation after having seen "Strangelove", although "Barry Lyndon", "The Killing", "Lolita" and "Spartacus" are all worthy as well.

This came out like six months after the Cuban Missle Crisis the closest we have been to Nuclear war and everyone knew it. "Patton" would be a great movie too react to.

Alien Hand Syndrome is a real thing. It really is a case of his hand having a mind of its own. This movie made it so famous, in fact, that it's now called "Dr. Strangelove Syndrome". There was even an episode of "House" about it.

"SIR!!! I have a plan!.....MEIN FUHRER! I CAN WALK!!!!!" XD!!!! That was improvised by Sellers, who was hilarious in his three roles. George C.Scott was against being so over the top with his character, so Kubrick pacified him and shot all his scenes with him doing the lines sedately and also doing it over the top. However, he lied to Scott and only used his over the top scenes(with him falling over and such). The nuke riding scene makes me laugh the longer I watch it happen, XD

yeah. In my mind, Kubrick's most terrifying movie. Each character - at least on the commanding, american side - is based on a real person. Buck Turgidson is based on Curtis Le May (architect of the firebombing effort in the pacific against the japanese), the president is based on Adlai Stevenson, Dr. Strangelove is a combination of Herman Kahn (who wrote a book 'On Thermonuclear War' which argues that nuclear war is winnable) and Edward Teller (who actually argued for continent-buster nuclear bombs). And the BLAND corporation was a transparent take on the RAND corporation, who did nuclear studies. There IS a real possible doomsday machine where you salt nuclear bombs with cobalt-60 and they detonate, making the cobalt radioactive and the radioactive cobalt makes its way into your cardiovascular system and into your blood cells. And the timeframe is right - it will render uninhabitable the area of contamination for about 100 years. The airforce seriously studied all of this in the early 1960's. And finally there was the premise. There WAS the equivalent of a plan-R, and the scenario of a sneak attack decapitating control is one of the principles of launch on warning where nuclear bombs are launched if any signs of them are seen on radar. The nuclear codes were all out in the open and each individual bomber could theoretically do what Ripper did. And of course there was the Cuban Missile Crisis which had happened the year before. Its all detailed in Daniel Ellsberg's book "The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner" - the same guy who leaked the pentagon papers - whose job in the 1960s was to go to various air force facilities and assess safety. Ellsberg went to the premiere of Dr Strangelove, and swore that - coming out of the theater - that he had just watched a documentary. (ps. fun bonus fact. the US's policy towards nuclear war in the 1950s was - if they actually had to go into one with the soviets - that they nuke the chinese mainland as well, just to be on the safe side.)

Peter Sellers was a very popular comic actor in that era. In Strangelove he played the heavily mustached Mandrake, the Bald guy in the war room, and Dr. Strangelove. Wicked satire on the insanity of the military. Another very famous film Sellers was in was 'The Pink Panther.'

I love the tension on the plane as things go onwards. The soldiers get more and more humanized as the film goes on and you feel invested in them as people and the film's atmosphere makes you want them to succeed, but then you remember that No! that would be an absolute disaster and the only good outcome, especially near the end, is for them to be shot down. This tension of caring for them while knowing that they must be stopped at all costs (for no fault of their own) is one of the most emotional parts of the film.

If you watch the last scene in the film closely, you can catch the actor playing the Russian ambassador cracking up at Pete Seller's antics as Dr. Stangelove. it's around the <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="93">1:33</a> min mark kzfaq.info/get/bejne/o-CUl6SKvqq-m58.html

You should give "Fail Safe" which is a similar plot but without the comedy a go. The final reckoning there is utterly utterly chilling. A fantastic and overlooked movie.

when George C. Scott accidentally stumbles backward and then pops back up onto his feet and finishes the line without breaking character. Most directors would have tosses that take. Not Kubrick the master filmmaker used serendipity to his advantage.

Kubrick was magnificent. He just did every genre and excelled at all of them.

Great reaction. And! the fellow who plays Ripper, Sterling Hayden, was the corrupt cop in The Godfather and he's also great in John Huston's The Asphault Jungle and Kubrick's The Killing

Sterling Hayden was the crooked cop in The Godfather part 1, in this movie he ‘s Jack Ripper (Jack the Ripper). Peter Sellers is Dr Strangelove, & the President, & the RAF officer. George C Scott is hilarious. Another nuclear war film done 6 or 7 years before this flic is “Fail Safe””. Drama starring Henry Fonda

If not already mentioned - the tune that played behind every plane scene was "When Johnny Comes Marching Home"

Peter Sellers played three different roles in this film, two of them in the same room. He was RAF Captain Mandrake on the base with General Ripper, the President of the United States in the War Room, and, of course, Dr. Strangelove himself. The fact that one man could so convincingly portray three should definitely qualify Sellers to receive the prestigious Order of the Chameleon (posthumously, of course).

Sellers was a genius. It's a shame so much of his short life was spent making Pink Panther movies. They're fine, but hardly require someone of Sellers' genius. Just look at what he was capable of.

You two have to watch Peter Seller's in The Party. That movie has me dying every time I watch it. It's another one of Peter Seller's gems that showcase his Talent in his comedies, and you can add The Pink Panther movies too.

Peter Sellers was a human chameleon and close colleagues often said they didn't really know who he was, including Spike Milligan and Harry Secombe.

Peter Sellers was supposed to play Maj Kong but he hurt his ankle and he could not enter the B-52 cockpit set. Slim Pickens was rushed over to England to film his part. As a result of his role, he said his pay checks and dressing rooms got bigger in future films.

Kubrick played George C. Scott kind of dirty. He told him to act the character over the top for the rehearsals (all the while taping them) and had his act the actual shot more subdued. So depending on how the movie flowed he would make his pick. Kubrick went with the rehearsal takes since they fit more with the over-the-top nature of the movie.

In my top 10. Brilliant, hilarious, and terrifying.

This is one of the films where Peter Sellers lay 3 roles. The other is "The Mouse That Rared" , He was a genius.

Hilarious and frightening at the same time. Great movie, great acting, great script. Classic.