So, about this movie... This is the second time I have seen it and in viewing it the second time you see much farther then just the initial bomb threat people were so terrified of and possible catastrophic doomsday scenario that Dr. Strangelove film presents. Like the reading points out, "Dr. Strangelove uses nightmare comedy to satirize four dimensions of the Cold War consensus: anit-communist paranoia; the culture's inability to realize the enormity of nuclear war; various nuclear strategies; and the blind faith modern man places in technological progress". At the time I would agree there was cause for there to be insecurity and fear of possible bomb threats and attacks on the American people. However, I don't believe that the fear is directed in the right place which I believe is the underlying message displayed in this comedic horror. The real fear lies within the mind. The mind of men who are at high authority with access to powerful weaponry and become unstable in the process of there career. In this lies where the fear lies, what happens when powerful men lose there marbels? Atomic bombing and death occurs. Much like we saw in the film the General saw fit to take things into his own hands and enact Option "R" which shut down the base and turned off all radio control with hopes in bombing all parts of Russia with multiple air strikes. Just goes to show you how dangerous one man with authority can truly be. Which in truth also calls upon the idea of a dictatorship or absolute monarchy and why it is bad. One man can not have control of everything only because it will end in disaster as the movie provides.
Now the reading talks of Dr. Strangelove not speaking till the movies near ending and his largest lines coming directly at the end. Why do you think the director did this? Especially since the movie is named Dr. Strangelove. A few lines allows him the title of the film? And, when he does speak he comes up with scenarios like having all the world powerful men be hidden in a mine shaft and only the world's most beautiful women and have a scenario of 10 women for every 1 man. His character is disturbing and difficult to understand even after a second viewing.
A little side note, I find the suggestive names that Dr. Strangelove has completely and utterly hilarious and made the movie impecable. Like the man responsible for all the problems Jack D. Ripper. Much like Jack the Ripper the terrifying and notorious murderer.
