AFI 100 Years, 100 Movies: No. 97

Back in 1998, the American Film Institute unveiled its list of the 100 greatest films as voted on by members of the cinematic community. The year, I'm looking at the films on that list, re-ranked according to my preference. Check back Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year as we walk through this list of classic films.

No. 97: Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Original List Ranking: 26
Starring: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, and Sterling Hayden
Director: Stanley Kubrick
About: This is another of Kubrick's films, and another that lands a lot higher on these lists than it does for me. I respect Kubrick as an artist, and his films certainly feel unique and daring. But not all of them make a connection with me. This is a satire that I find amusing and wild at times. It's certainly making a statement about military might, the government, and more. And Sellers is great in this film, as are the rest of the cast. It's wild and unexpected, which is a big part of why it's become a cult classic. I appreciate the craft here, but the story doesn't resonate with me as much as some of the other films on this list, so it lands here on the countdown for me!

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