I first watched this at a pretty young age (probably 12 or 13) in the early 80's, at the height of the arms race. Having recently survived the premier of much-hyped TV event, "The Day After," I needed a cheerier look at nuclear obliteration. This film, of course, fit the bill.

I distinctly recall, during the final reel, thinking, "oh, of course they won't let this go all the way, someone, somewhere is going to make the right decision and the world will be a safe place once again to pursue economic success and religious freedoms.

Heh heh...

WRONG!

All together now....

"...we'll meet again, don't know where, don't know whennnnn..."

Yeah, this film had a HUGE impact on the teenaged, nuke-jittery Jeff, to be sure.

You'll probably find this very strange, but I watch that movie whenever I feel depressed and it always makes me feel better. I don't know if I think it's the best film or even my most loved film, but it is definitely the movie that makes me the happiest.

If you catch me in the right mood, I'm willing to assert that "Strangelove" is Kubrick's best movie. Satire is perhaps the single hardest genre to nail, such a delicate balance. And this is, in my view, the greatest satire in all movie history.

Of course, Kubrick didn't set out to make a satire, he was going to do a straight drama. But the more he got into the actual details of nuclear policy, things like "mutually assured destruction," he just found them more and more ridiculous. You can read about it on the movie's Wikipedia link.

For my money, considering all factors (story, dialog writing, performance, directing, design -- most importantly, theme.) Dr. Strangelove is the greatest American film ever made.

Just a great, great movie. I really need to watch it again, as it's been a few years...

An absolute classic. Practically a complete satirical paragon.

General "Buck" Turgidson: Doctor, you mentioned the ratio of ten women to each man. Now, wouldn't that necessitate the abandonment of the so-called monogamous sexual relationship, I mean, as far as men were concerned?

Dr. Strangelove: Regrettably, yes. But it is, you know, a sacrifice required for the future of the human race. I hasten to add that since each man will be required to do prodigious... service along these lines, the women will have to be selected for their sexual characteristics which will have to be of a highly stimulating nature.