Stephen Henderson

TA 135
Classic Movies
Winter 2014



The irony of not worrying and loving the bomb

Free-write #3
[521 words]

March 11, 2014

Stephen Henderson
TA 135

In Stanley Kubricks Dr. Strangelove, he creates what he calls a nightmare comedy,
using a situation that could be realistic in all thoughts and purposes, but the presentation of such
material makes us laugh at it. The main way that Kubrick achieves this is through the use of
dramatic and situational irony. Of course, the personae of many of the characters helps to make it
a funny movie, but the main driving force of comedy is in the ridiculous situation the characters
all find themselves in.
The subtitle of Dr. Strangelove is How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.
Of course, the bomb as it was infamously known in the 50s and 60s, was the hydrogen atom
bomb. After its devastating effects on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, people around the world were
terrified of the awesome power that the US had unlocked to wield over the rest of the world.
When the Soviets also gained the ability to create nuclear weapons, it started the Cold War,
which in turn, inspired this movie.
As for loving the bomb, the irony of the film starts there. Everyone was scared of
nuclear capabilities as more and more world powers gained them, so no one truly loved the
bomb. The idea that anyone could stop worrying and, instead, love the bomb, was crazy to
most. More dramatic irony comes along in the actual story of the movie.
When the order goes out to all the B-52s to operate Plan R, we dont know why. This
goes for everyone in the film, except for Jack Ripper of course. When we eventually learn that
Ripper issued the order for no other reason than to strike Russia, the Pentagon does not yet know
this. This perfect example of dramatic irony is the basis on which Dr. Strangelove claims to be a
nightmare comedy. Later on it is perpetuated in the scenes that switch between the B-52 and
the War Room at the Pentagon. While the audience is completely aware that Kongs plane is out
of communication and continuing with the mission, the Pentagon is not. When the President tells
the Russian Air Force where the plane will be going, Kong learns he cant make it to that target,
and improvises. This back and forth continues until Kong rides the bomb all the way down to his
new target.
Other examples of ironic images pop up now and then, like the sign in the base that says
Peace is our Profession in the background of men shooting at each other. Another is the US
colonel who liberates the base and takes Mandrake out of Rippers office. The colonel isnt
acting as though the security of the US is on the line, as Mandrake knows it to be. This also
pokes fun at the military organization of the US.
Really, the whole film does exactly this, but in a comedic manner. Its true that if the
movie were made in any other way, it would be a very dramatic, serious film. The idea of the
nightmare comedy is that its only funny because it would be terrifying otherwise.