7. Dr. Strangelove (1964) - Riding the Bomb - The Absurd
The Film: All of Kubrick's films contain humour, some more than others. When you go through the list of his films, I would say the only exceptions to the rule for this would be Eyes Wide Shut and Spartacus, even his earlier work such as Killers Kiss or The Killing contain your typical 1950's noir quip humour. The Shining is often hilarious thanks in part to Jack and Shelley, Full Metal Jacket holds some of the funniest Kubrick moments in it's opening 10 minutes and Lolita has the absurdity of Peter Sellers' Clare Quilty for light relief. But you know where I am going with this right? None of Kubrick's films can be labelled a 'comedy' per say with the exception of this one. 'Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop worrying and Love the Bomb' to give it's full title, is so many different aspects of comedy that it becomes so much more. Thanks in part to a three pronged Peter Sellers performance and a criminally overlooked George C Scott and Sterling Hayden, this film hits all the right points; slapstick, satire, parody, dark humour, light humour, offensive humour, sexual humour and even to an extent; xenophobic humour. The film effectively follows a ridiculous chain of events started by the actions of one Jack D. Ripper (seriously), a man who has all the power to start a nuclear war, insists that an attack plane flies towards Russia after he has gone insane believing that the Soviets have been poisoning Americans for years in their water. Cut to the War Room in some undisclosed location as feeble like minded American men sit around a stupendously large round table to discuss how this disastrous event of bombing the Russians and initiating World War III can be avoided. A hilarious phone call to a drunken Russian leader and some hundred quotable lines later ('Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is the War Room!') and we come to our most genially devised, nonsensical scene of all of Kubrick's work.
The Scene: From a technical stand point, this shot leaves a lot to be desired having falling victim to age and the CGI film world. This shot is as worn out as the Psycho stair push, thanks to the poor depth of field the closer bucking Maj. Kong gets to the ground. But none of that matters as it is shot that defines the absurdity of the Cold War, whilst also becoming one of the most recognisable/parodied moments in cinematic history. I mean think about it - really think about what you are seeing here. The jaw dropping nature of this comes in the madness you are witnessing... a man rides an atom bomb like a bucking Bronco as comes to end the world. Match this up with Peter Sellers insanely throwing a Nazi salute after proclaiming 'Mien Furher, I can walk!' and you have yourself two laugh out loud moments that rarely get such due to the juncture of speechlessness you find yourself in as the credits roll to 'We'll meet again.' What the heck?