Two of my favorite movies of all time. That said, I think one should watch "Fail Safe," first. It makes Strangelove even funnier, if that's even possible.
Red Alert was a straightforward thriller, like Fail Safe. However, when Stanley Kubrick was working on the script for his film, he read articles and books about nuclear war and US policy. In doing so, he was struck by the absurdity of mankind having the ability to destroy itself, which is why he decided to make Dr. Strangelove as a black comedy.
This is what I remember: I was seven years old at the time of the Cuban missile crisis. I remember my brother and I arguing in the back of our mother's car as a news caster broke into the music playing on the radio. I remember how my mother shushed us as the newscaster informed us that the Russians were removing their missiles from Cuba and we were not going to die after all. To this day, I remember the fear on my mother's face. I had never seen a grownup physically afraid before. I have never forgotten it.
Never heard of Fail Safe until the other day when it appeared in one of my free movie streaming services and I thought I'd give it my standard 20 minutes to get my attention. Needless to say it got my attention. Probably the most tragically ironic scene in fail safe, other than the conclusion of course, was the scene where the American military wildly cheered the shooting down of the American bomber planes.
@@odinforfang8573 First you have to know the accurate history of the Cold War, which was real at that time. And second, you have to watch both movies. Dr. Strangelove is a dark comedy of the Cold War and Fail Safe is a plausible but realistic scenario of the Cold War.
@@larrybell1859 I have seen both and I think I slightly prefer Dr. Strangelove. Yes, Fail Safe is fantastic, and it is more realistic, but Dr. Strangelove isn't trying to be realistic in my opinion. It's as you say, a comedy. I'd like to see why you think Fail Safe is the better movie tho! :)
@@odinforfang8573 Because it deviated from the entertainment element and forced us to see it from a realistic perspective. Much like 'Saving Private Ryan' did for war movies.
It was a pity that they collided. But how does one argue with "You can't fight in here - this is the War Room", "Bat Guano" and "Our Precious Essence"? Both are outstanding. As I recall, in Fail Safe, they drop two, not one.
Very interesting comparison of 2 brilliant films in their own way .I think (as you have shown ) the story is more or less identical but there are massive differences in interpretation.In some ways they take completely opposing views . I think Dr S took the view it was such a serious situation it could only be dealt with by absurdity ,whilst Fail Safe that it was such an absurd situation that it could only be dealt with by seriousness. In Dr S the nuclear war is caused by human deficiencies that cannot be reversed by technology ,and with FS it is technological issues that cannot be dealt with by human involvement .Interestingly they both employed "comic " actors ,with Peter Sellars and Walter Matthau ,though Matthau s character is far more frightening than Dr Strangelove as played by Sellars . In Dr S it is the military that is pushing a civilian govt to fight ,whilst in FS it is a civilian (Matthau) pushing the military (and the govt) to fight back . In Dr S I have to say that IMHO ,Sellars most interesting character is Mandrake (the RAF liason officer) who is almost the only sane person in a mad world (and unfortunately for him )he is well aware of that .Matthaus character of Groetschelle(?) is in some ways the most interesting (and most dangerous) character in FS . The other big difference is that DR S is played on absurdities so any tension is allowed to be vented,whilst in FS it keeps being ratcheted further. The end of FS ,IMHO is one of the best endings of a film ,somehow the pigeons flight being cut etc with the other scenes of people going about their daily business is utterly chilling . Which is the best ?It depends in what mindset you watch them I think ,sometimes it will be one and sometimes the other .Certainly that has been my experience .To compare them is like comparing the best whisky with the best brandy ,it all depends . Anyway as you say ,these are films by top directors at the top of their game ,with the acting /direction /script top notch . One other difference is that DR S shows the President to be a somewhat bumbling idiot ,whist in FS ,he is the calm chief .We can only hope in real life we would have a Henry Fonda rather than a Peter Sellars?
There is a huge plot hole in the scene where the wife tries to convince her pilot husband. Like why did she not say something only her and her husband would know? Like tell him the last time they had sex?
I watched Dr Strangelove maybe 25 years ago when I was young. I found it absurd and funny and kinda scary. And I think that might have been Kubrick's intention in making the film
I totally agree! In Fail-Safe, I feel like what happens staves off a Nuclear Holocaust. And maybe these two leaders agree, as Henry Fonda's president says, "This will never happen again." That may be why I love it so much. Well, one of the reasons. 🙂
Both movies are wonderfully entertaining, one is a drama and the other is a comedy! The Fail Safe remake was also good, but not as good as the original! I think everyone should watch both movies!
Strangelove should never been made. It is a shame that such an emotionally intense, and gripping story will be forever equated to a farse. Fail safe stands superior, and was the correct way to depict this material. This movie warns of mans extreme Paranoia, and having destructive weapons that he is not ready for.
The thing is dr.strangelove helped show us the incompetentness of human kind and more realistic. It tackled so much shit. Nazi scientist coming and helping us, the character of Jack D. Ripper being paranoid about a baseless conspiracy theory and wanting too start a war over it, how in real life there was a provision that allowed the a lower ranking officer the ability too use nukes without the presidents permission, and more
Life when you really look at how people act is a farce. People beat each other up over toliet paper two years ago. Satire is a great way too show us humans how farcical we really are. Because something can be serious but when looked at objectively can be hilarious
Black comedy versus existential suspense. Dr. Strangelove is more rewatchable. Fail Safe is a great movie, but there’s only so many times I feel I can go through it.
I saw Dr. Strangelove once as a kid. I recognize now what a cinematic achievement it is. However, I have not had the desire to watch it again. But I can watch Fail-Safe at least four times a year. It is one of my favorite films.
@@WayneE42 that’s weird. I’m the opposite. Maybe I should watch Failsafe more often. I love Dr. Strangelove because I can watch specific scenes separate from the whole movie. It’s also funny and dark at the same time. I love Slim Pickins and George C. Scott. I think this was both their best performances. Certainly it was Pickins’ best movie. No need to mention Peter Sellers only because I think these were his best and most iconic performances in any movie he did. Three roles, so using plural of performance.
@@NoahSpurrier I understand. There are some funny moments in Dr. Strangelove. But, the cloud of overall dread disturbs me. But, from what I read of Kubrick's thoughts about the film, that was the point. Fail-Safe has high suspense. But it also has thoughtful, almost tender, dramatic moments that attach me to the characters.
-Keep in mind that back when these movies came out, the Kennedy assassination, the Cold War with Russia & early Vietnam action were still very current. So these movies had a subject matter that wasn't just fiction, but a possible reality. And now in 2022, with Putin & Russian military invading & killing people in the Ukraine, as he periodically mentions nuclear use, it shows that some tragedies might actually happen. Let's hope not.
I saw " Fail Safe " when I was in the mid 1960s in junior high then bought the paperback . I didn't see Strangelove until much later as an adult . The book was pretty good , the Fonda movie was okay , Kubrick's version is a masterpiece . My favorite movie .
Not a fan of the writing in this bit. Several errors. So many people have not seen these movies so it’s tacky to give the endings away. Insight is lacking
Although Dr. Strangelove was release first, I recommend watching Fail Safe first - a sobering reflection on nuclear weapons and war - then zD. estrange love, a broad parody the sharpens the message by punctuation the broad parody with needle-sharp observation cast as comedic absurdity that will take you back to the thesis they share.
Two of my favorite movies of all time. That said, I think one should watch "Fail Safe," first. It makes Strangelove even funnier, if that's even possible.
Amazing how relevant these films are today compared to 60 years ago. Everyone should watch both.
Both are mandatory viewing, if not essential Criterion purchases, especially during these scary times.
Man, how does this not have a lot of views, this is legit gold
Red Alert was a straightforward thriller, like Fail Safe. However, when Stanley Kubrick was working on the script for his film, he read articles and books about nuclear war and US policy. In doing so, he was struck by the absurdity of mankind having the ability to destroy itself, which is why he decided to make Dr. Strangelove as a black comedy.
This is what I remember: I was seven years old at the time of the Cuban missile crisis. I remember my brother and I arguing in the back of our mother's car as a news caster broke into the music playing on the radio. I remember how my mother shushed us as the newscaster informed us that the Russians were removing their missiles from Cuba and we were not going to die after all. To this day, I remember the fear on my mother's face. I had never seen a grownup physically afraid before. I have never forgotten it.
Never heard of Fail Safe until the other day when it appeared in one of my free movie streaming services and I thought I'd give it my standard 20 minutes to get my attention. Needless to say it got my attention. Probably the most tragically ironic scene in fail safe, other than the conclusion of course, was the scene where the American military wildly cheered the shooting down of the American bomber planes.
No matter how you slice and dice it, Fail Safe will always be the superior film.
yes. correct.
How come? :) I'm curious because I don't know which I think is better
@@odinforfang8573
First you have to know the accurate history of the Cold War, which was real at that time. And second, you have to watch both movies. Dr. Strangelove is a dark comedy of the Cold War and Fail Safe is a plausible but realistic scenario of the Cold War.
@@larrybell1859 I have seen both and I think I slightly prefer Dr. Strangelove. Yes, Fail Safe is fantastic, and it is more realistic, but Dr. Strangelove isn't trying to be realistic in my opinion. It's as you say, a comedy. I'd like to see why you think Fail Safe is the better movie tho! :)
@@odinforfang8573
Because it deviated from the entertainment element and forced us to see it from a realistic perspective. Much like 'Saving Private Ryan' did for war movies.
"Dr. Strangelove" came across more as macabre, as opposed to "Fail Safe" being very serious.
Saw Failsafe in NYC my hometown...VERY scary
Columbia made a big mistake releasing Dr Stranglove first. Had they released Failsafe first, both films would have made a bundle.
Another book that came out in 1957, was Pat Frank's "Alas, Babylon," which is about nuclear war.
It was a pity that they collided.
But how does one argue with "You can't fight in here - this is the War Room", "Bat Guano" and "Our Precious Essence"?
Both are outstanding.
As I recall, in Fail Safe, they drop two, not one.
Very interesting comparison of 2 brilliant films in their own way .I think (as you have shown ) the story is more or less identical but there are massive differences in interpretation.In some ways they take completely opposing views .
I think Dr S took the view it was such a serious situation it could only be dealt with by absurdity ,whilst Fail Safe that it was such an absurd situation that it could only be dealt with by seriousness.
In Dr S the nuclear war is caused by human deficiencies that cannot be reversed by technology ,and with FS it is technological issues that cannot be dealt with by human involvement .Interestingly they both employed "comic " actors ,with Peter Sellars and Walter Matthau ,though Matthau s character is far more frightening than Dr Strangelove as played by Sellars .
In Dr S it is the military that is pushing a civilian govt to fight ,whilst in FS it is a civilian (Matthau) pushing the military (and the govt) to fight back .
In Dr S I have to say that IMHO ,Sellars most interesting character is Mandrake (the RAF liason officer) who is almost the only sane person in a mad world (and unfortunately for him )he is well aware of that .Matthaus character of Groetschelle(?) is in some ways the most interesting (and most dangerous) character in FS .
The other big difference is that DR S is played on absurdities so any tension is allowed to be vented,whilst in FS it keeps being ratcheted further.
The end of FS ,IMHO is one of the best endings of a film ,somehow the pigeons flight being cut etc with the other scenes of people going about their daily business is utterly chilling .
Which is the best ?It depends in what mindset you watch them I think ,sometimes it will be one and sometimes the other .Certainly that has been my experience .To compare them is like comparing the best whisky with the best brandy ,it all depends .
Anyway as you say ,these are films by top directors at the top of their game ,with the acting /direction /script top notch .
One other difference is that DR S shows the President to be a somewhat bumbling idiot ,whist in FS ,he is the calm chief .We can only hope in real life we would have a Henry Fonda rather than a Peter Sellars?
Fail Safe scared the crap out of me. Dr. Strangelove was funny but I just didn't realize what I was laughing at.
See they both scared me. Even though I was laughing while watching Dr. Strangelove you could still see that as a cover for what it really was.
Excellent video
Has any other actor than Sellers played three key leading roles (so spectacularly) in the same film??
There is a huge plot hole in the scene where the wife tries to convince her pilot husband. Like why did she not say something only her and her husband would know? Like tell him the last time they had sex?
I watched Dr Strangelove maybe 25 years ago when I was young. I found it absurd and funny and kinda scary.
And I think that might have been Kubrick's intention in making the film
In Fail Safe there is hope; there is no hope in Dr. Strangelove. One is a superior story; the other is the superior movie.
wow. thx!
I totally agree! In Fail-Safe, I feel like what happens staves off a Nuclear Holocaust. And maybe these two leaders agree, as Henry Fonda's president says, "This will never happen again."
That may be why I love it so much.
Well, one of the reasons. 🙂
Both movies are wonderfully entertaining, one is a drama and the other is a comedy! The Fail Safe remake was also good, but not as good as the original!
I think everyone should watch both movies!
Great video, another two films similar in the same way are 12 Years a Slave and Django Unchained,
Both are different than the real Hot Line in the National Command Center.
Strangelove should never been made. It is a shame that such an emotionally intense, and gripping story will be forever equated to a farse. Fail safe stands superior, and was the correct way to depict this material. This movie warns of mans extreme Paranoia, and having destructive weapons that he is not ready for.
They’re two different movies that go for different emotions. Shouldn’t compare art
The thing is dr.strangelove helped show us the incompetentness of human kind and more realistic. It tackled so much shit. Nazi scientist coming and helping us, the character of Jack D. Ripper being paranoid about a baseless conspiracy theory and wanting too start a war over it, how in real life there was a provision that allowed the a lower ranking officer the ability too use nukes without the presidents permission, and more
Life when you really look at how people act is a farce. People beat each other up over toliet paper two years ago. Satire is a great way too show us humans how farcical we really are. Because something can be serious but when looked at objectively can be hilarious
Black comedy versus existential suspense. Dr. Strangelove is more rewatchable. Fail Safe is a great movie, but there’s only so many times I feel I can go through it.
I saw Dr. Strangelove once as a kid. I recognize now what a cinematic achievement it is. However, I have not had the desire to watch it again.
But I can watch Fail-Safe at least four times a year. It is one of my favorite films.
@@WayneE42 that’s weird. I’m the opposite. Maybe I should watch Failsafe more often. I love Dr. Strangelove because I can watch specific scenes separate from the whole movie. It’s also funny and dark at the same time. I love Slim Pickins and George C. Scott. I think this was both their best performances. Certainly it was Pickins’ best movie.
No need to mention Peter Sellers only because I think these were his best and most iconic performances in any movie he did. Three roles, so using plural of performance.
@@NoahSpurrier I understand. There are some funny moments in Dr. Strangelove. But, the cloud of overall dread disturbs me. But, from what I read of Kubrick's thoughts about the film, that was the point.
Fail-Safe has high suspense. But it also has thoughtful, almost tender, dramatic moments that attach me to the characters.
The video was hurt badly by the presenters inability to pronounce nuclear correctly
Not just any old same time, the year after the JFK assassination.
-Keep in mind that back when these movies came out, the Kennedy assassination, the Cold War with Russia & early Vietnam action were still very current. So these movies had a subject matter that wasn't just fiction, but a possible reality. And now in 2022, with Putin & Russian military invading & killing people in the Ukraine, as he periodically mentions nuclear use, it shows that some tragedies might actually happen. Let's hope not.
Poor analysis of current events aside, I agree with you.
Great vid - think Strangelove was more relevant to audiences at its time - cuba nuclear madness...
I saw " Fail Safe " when I was in the mid 1960s in junior high then bought the paperback . I didn't see Strangelove until much later as an adult .
The book was pretty good , the Fonda movie was okay , Kubrick's version is a masterpiece . My favorite movie .
Excellent comparison. Thank you. In my view Strangelove is the better movie because of its unusual treatment of the subject.
Fail-Safe is a great movie whereas Dr.Strangelove is mediocre!
Not a fan of the writing in this bit.
Several errors.
So many people have not seen these movies so it’s tacky to give the endings away.
Insight is lacking
Although Dr. Strangelove was release first, I recommend watching Fail Safe first - a sobering reflection on nuclear weapons and war - then zD. estrange love, a broad parody the sharpens the message by punctuation the broad parody with needle-sharp observation cast as comedic absurdity that will take you back to the thesis they share.