TGME Round 1: Dr. Strangelove Vs. 12 Angry Men

[GregMcduck]

How it works: Each poll will be open for two weeks, giving all of you time to watch each film. New polls added every Sunday and Wednesday.

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) vs. 12 Angry Men (1957)



Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is a black comedy film directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott. Loosely based by screenwriter Terry Southern on Peter George's Cold War thriller novel Red Alert (aka Two Hours to Doom), Dr. Strangelove satirizes the Cold War and the doctrine of mutual assured destruction. The story concerns a mentally unstable US Air Force general who orders a first strike nuclear attack on the Soviet Union, and follows the President of the United States, his advisors, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a Royal Air Force (RAF) officer as they try to recall the bombers to prevent a nuclear apocalypse, as well as the crew of one B-52 as they attempt to deliver their payload.

A first test screening of the film was scheduled for November 22, 1963, the day of the John F. Kennedy assassination. The film was just weeks from its scheduled premiere, but as a result of the assassination, the release was delayed until late January 1964, as it was felt that the public was in no mood for such a film any sooner. Additionally, one line by Slim Pickens ("a fella could have a pretty good weekend in Dallas with all that stuff") was dubbed to become "in Vegas". The original reference to Dallas survives in some dubbed foreign versions of the film, such as the French release.



12 Angry Men is an American drama film produced in 1957 by first time director Sidney Lumet based on the play of the same name by Reginald Rose. It is about a jury member who tries to persuade the other 11 members to acquit the suspect on trial on the basis of reasonable doubt. The film is notable for its use of almost just one single set: with the exception of three minutes of screen-time split between the beginning and the end and two short scenes in an adjoining washroom, the entire movie takes place in the jury room.

At the beginning of the film, the cameras are positioned above eye level and mounted with wide-angle lenses to give the appearance of greater depth between subjects, but as the film progresses the focal length of the lenses is gradually increased. By the end of the film, nearly everyone is shown in closeup using telephoto lenses from a lower angle, which decreases or "shortens" depth of field. Lumet, who began his career as a director of photography, stated that his intention in using these techniques with cinematographer Boris Kaufman was to create a nearly palpable claustrophobia.
Please take the time to watch or re-watch these two films before voting. You can use this thread to post reviews after having watched them, campaign for your preferred movie, or just discuss the movies in general.

[mrbasehart]

I won't vote just yet, but I've always found Dr Strangelove to be overrated... Maybe it's that I just don't find Peter Sellars that funny.

[Tripe]

Most. Difficult. Pairing. Thus. Far.

[Rude]

...

Oh man, what a match-up! I wish these two were up against different films because i'm pretty sure either would be a lock. But that damn random generator had to go and match 'em up against each other. Argh!

I own both of these movies, and watch both of 'em quite a bit. Just saw 12 Angry Men about 2 months ago, and i put Dr. Strangelove on all the time. I suppose i could watch them again. But this is gonna' be tough... Although, if anyone ever pays any attention to my signature then i think they'll know where the advantage is going!

-Rude

[SmilinJackRoss]

Most. Difficult. Pairing. Thus. Far.

QFT.

I'm pretty torn here...gonna have to do some soul searching on this one....

[tgeorgic]

my usual criteria for voting is to assume both movies are on at the same time, i hadnt seen either in a while and my dvr is broken.  which ever one i would swtich to would be the one i vote for.  with this pair to choose from i really have no idea which one i would watch because they are both twards the top of my favorites list.  hmmmmmm.....

[bettertomorrowamy]

I vote Dr. Strangelove just because I can't imagine a remake ever, ever working.

[bratpop]

I've seen them both but quite frankly I think they're both a bit overrated.

[bettertomorrowamy]

I've seen them both but quite frankly I think they're both a bit overrated.

Yeah, but that's who you are.

[bratpop]

Oooh, what an... insult?

[bettertomorrowamy]

Oooh, what an... insult?

Oh, sorry, did I insult you?

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

Oooh Crackle and pop

[BBQ Platypus]

My opinion of Dr. Strangelove is pretty much the same as Mike Nelson's - much of the movie just isn't that funny.  Sure, there are some great scenes and lines in it, but it leaves me a bit cold.  Sure, it's an important film (owing mostly to its subject matter), but I wouldn't really rank it among the greatest comedies of all time.

Still, I voted for 12 Angry Men based mostly on its own merits - it packs quite a dramatic wallop for a movie that takes place mostly in one room.

[RoninFox]

Heh, gotta tell my roommate about this one, he's been trying to get me to sit down and watch Dr. Strangelove for awhile but we haven't been able to get around to it.

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

My opinion of Dr. Strangelove is pretty much the same as Mike Nelson's - much of the movie just isn't that funny.  Sure, there are some great scenes and lines in it, but it leaves me a bit cold.  Sure, it's an important film (owing mostly to its subject matter), but I wouldn't really rank it among the greatest comedies of all time.

yeah, I kind of felt the same way. I mean I guess it's funny, but it's not as funny as say Balls of Fury Rat Race Some Like it Hot