Dr. Strangelove

It is a satirical black comedy that explores the absurdity of the Cold War nuclear arms race and the possibility of accidental global destruction. 

Here are five more behind-the-scenes facts about Stanley Kubrick's iconic 1964 film, "Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb":

1. Title Change and Legal Concerns: The movie's original title was longer and even more tongue-in-cheek: "Dr. Strangelove’s Secret Uses of Uranus." However, Kubrick changed it to the more concise "Dr. Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb." During the script's development, Kubrick became aware of the novel "Fail-Safe" by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler, which had a similar premise. Concerned about potential legal issues, Kubrick filed a lawsuit against the producers of the film adaptation of "Fail-Safe," claiming plagiarism. The suit was settled out of court, and both films were released in 1964, with "Dr. Strangelove" being the more successful and critically acclaimed of the two.

2. Peter Sellers’ Multiple Roles: Peter Sellers was initially contracted to play four roles in the film: Group Captain Lionel Mandrake, President Merkin Muffley, Dr. Strangelove, and Major T.J. "King" Kong. After struggling with the Texan accent for Major Kong and injuring his ankle, Sellers suggested that he could not play the role convincingly. Kubrick then cast Slim Pickens, who brought his own unique flair to the character of Major Kong, famously riding the bomb like a rodeo cowboy in one of the film’s most iconic scenes.

3. George C. Scott's Over-the-Top Performance: George C. Scott, who played General Buck Turgidson, was known for his intense and severe acting style. Kubrick, however, wanted a more exaggerated, almost comedic performance from him. To achieve this, Kubrick would film multiple takes, convincing Scott to do "just one more" over-the-top version as a joke. Unbeknownst to Scott, Kubrick used these takes in the film's final cut. Scott was initially displeased with his portrayal, but his performance is now considered one of the film's highlights.

4. The Doomsday Machine’s Real-Life Basis: The Doomsday Machine, a central element of the film's plot, was based on real scientific ideas. Herman Kahn, a strategist with the RAND Corporation, had written about the concept of a Doomsday Machine in his work on nuclear strategy. The idea was that a country could build a device capable of destroying all life on Earth as a deterrent against nuclear war. Kubrick used this concept as the backbone of the film's dark satire, showcasing the absurdity of mutually assured destruction.

5. Improvised Line and Iconic Characterization: The character of Dr. Strangelove, played by Peter Sellers, was not only based on real-life figures like German scientist Wernher von Braun and nuclear strategist Henry Kissinger but also featured improvisation by Sellers. The character's uncontrollable Nazi salute and the line “Mein Führer, I can walk!” were improvised by Sellers during filming. Kubrick liked Sellers' choices so much that he kept them in the final cut, adding to the film’s surreal and absurdist tone. The spontaneous nature of these choices contributed significantly to Dr. Strangelove's character's lasting impact and humor.