‘Dr. Strangelove’ is basically an anti-war film, showing the irrationality of nuclear war. The film frequently reveals extreme examples of international politics, gender politics, and the role of communication (or lack of) contained in each. Because this is a war film, the politics of nationalism and apparent hatred of the enemy are thoroughly addressed. The American ideal of being the triumphant underdog is historically rooted and represented by the crew of the B-52. The plane is diverse, just like America (a cowboy pilot, a Jewish radio operator, and an African-American bombardier). Their unity becomes evident when the pilot gives a pep talk to them after receiving their orders. "I tell you something else, if this thing turns out to be
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Females are treated as recreational sex objects for powerful military men and politicians. So, it is suitable that there is only one female in the film (Turgidson’s secretary, Ms. Scott). In her only scene, she is wearing a bikini and heels at the General’s home. Since he is in the bathroom, she answers the red phone when the news of the attack comes in. She recognizes the caller (apparently she is someone else's girl too), and when the General appears, he speaks to her like a child. Later, she calls him at the war room and he demeans her by saying, "I deeply respect you as a human being. Someday I'm going to make you Mrs. General Buck Turgidson." References to women in general are entirely that of objectification and recreation, as well. On the B-52, the pilot looks at a Playboy magazine. At the Pentagon, the Russian Ambassador gives the President the Russian Premier's private phone number and says, "...not only is the Premiere a man of the people, he is also a man, if you know what I mean." Later, when Dr. Strangelove shares his mineshaft plan to save the human race, he says, "Women selected for breeding must be of a highly stimulating nature...at a ratio of 10 women for every man." All of the men in the room agree with his …show more content…
The President has to constantly ask the Premiere to turn the music down. After Ripper kills himself in his office, Mandrake discovers the recall code, but is incapable of calling the Pentagon because the phone lines are down. Eventually, he finds a working pay phone, but doesn't have enough quarters to make the call. The Pentagon refuses to accept the charges collect, so Mandrake convinces a soldier to shoot a Coke machine open, and he finally gets through. These represent everyday problems we all face when using the phone, but they take on new meaning when the message is so important. ‘Dr. Strangelove’ is an important part of popular culture. After a close analysis of the film, it becomes clear how the process of setting out to do a serious Cold War film could turn it into a comedy. And if there was any intention of portraying an anti-war message, this was perhaps the best form to get it
Females are treated as recreational sex objects for powerful military men and politicians. So, it is suitable that there is only one female in the film (Turgidson’s secretary, Ms. Scott). In her only scene, she is wearing a bikini and heels at the General’s home. Since he is in the bathroom, she answers the red phone when the news of the attack comes in. She recognizes the caller (apparently she is someone else's girl too), and when the General appears, he speaks to her like a child. Later, she calls him at the war room and he demeans her by saying, "I deeply respect you as a human being. Someday I'm going to make you Mrs. General Buck Turgidson." References to women in general are entirely that of objectification and recreation, as well. On the B-52, the pilot looks at a Playboy magazine. At the Pentagon, the Russian Ambassador gives the President the Russian Premier's private phone number and says, "...not only is the Premiere a man of the people, he is also a man, if you know what I mean." Later, when Dr. Strangelove shares his mineshaft plan to save the human race, he says, "Women selected for breeding must be of a highly stimulating nature...at a ratio of 10 women for every man." All of the men in the room agree with his …show more content…
The President has to constantly ask the Premiere to turn the music down. After Ripper kills himself in his office, Mandrake discovers the recall code, but is incapable of calling the Pentagon because the phone lines are down. Eventually, he finds a working pay phone, but doesn't have enough quarters to make the call. The Pentagon refuses to accept the charges collect, so Mandrake convinces a soldier to shoot a Coke machine open, and he finally gets through. These represent everyday problems we all face when using the phone, but they take on new meaning when the message is so important. ‘Dr. Strangelove’ is an important part of popular culture. After a close analysis of the film, it becomes clear how the process of setting out to do a serious Cold War film could turn it into a comedy. And if there was any intention of portraying an anti-war message, this was perhaps the best form to get it