Analysis Of Satire In Dr. Strangelove

Satire in Dr. StrangeLove?

Dr. StrangeLove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb was produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick in 1964. "Dr. StrangeLove" is a Cold War suspense comedy that depicts the extreme tensions felt by the American government and public regarding the potential for nuclear war. Roger Ebert, a critic wrote that this "cold war satireÐ'...opened with the force of a bucketful of cold water, right in the face". In his review Ebert's contemplates the use and effectiveness of satire in Kubrick's film.

Critically acclaimed, "Dr. StrangeLove" uses satire to "reduce nuclear annihilation to the level of a very serious social gaffe" according to Ebert. The poking fun and mockery of human idiocy or vice in a literary work is satire. This mockery of human idiocy is applied flawlessly to the film to emphasize the significance of the Cold War anxiety. The review by Ebert announces that the film "had gotten away with something", he adds to that point by describing the high tensions felt between the two national party's of America; pointing out the blatant attack of the film on the circumstances of the 1960's.

The execution of parody and use of wit seems to have impressed Ebert. He glowingly describes incidents where the satirical theme is palpable, such as the instance with Mandrake the British attachÐ"©. After General Ripper has committed suicide, Mandrake finds the code to recall the planes, but does not have the correct amount of change to dial on a pay phone and save the world. The continuation of all life on Earth was dependent upon that precise phone call; while all that the audience is capable of as Mandrake flusters is shake their heads and smile. Another distinct situation of foolishness identified by Ebert was the series of conversations between the Russian premier and the U.S. president. As President

Martin calls Dimitri, the Russian premier; the level of intensity in the war room is at a boiling point, until the Russian ambassador mentions that Dimitri is intoxicated by alcohol, and in the company of women. As the scene continues, Martin downsizes the point of nuclear annihilation to minuscule

importance, arguing over who is more sorry, Dimitri or himself. Ebert also mentions the verbal repartee regarding the autodestruct mechanism, when it destroyed itself, or the idea of no fighting in the confines of the war room.

Although, Ebert succinctly illustrates the most encompassing and plain sighted instances of satire and humor there are several more clear depictions of the extensive use of satire within the film. Ebert fails to comment on the sign on General Ripper's military base, "Peace is our Profession". A full four second still frame of the massive billboard is included during a dogfight between two American troops. The irony of men who believe in the same causes firing upon each other with the intentions of killing each other underneath such a sign is amazing. This situation is prefaced by General Ripper declaring to his troops to "shoot first and ask later" a line that declares the amount of fear and enmity barefaced in General Ripper and his men. In addition to the serious portrayal of satire a humorous episode was the evaluation of the military survival kit by Maj. Kong. As he opens the U.S. ration pack and lists his supplies in case of the commonly survived accident of a plane crash with three nuclear missiles. He is provided with items such as lipstick, nylon stockings, and several packs of chewing gum. The reaction was priceless in Major Kong's eyes, a "fella could have a good week in Vegas with all this stuff". The entire scenario was amusing, because there seems to be absolutely no need for any male military personnel to be rationed lipstick and chewing gum in their survival kit. This clear and observable