i think thats reading too much symbolism into the ending of “strangelove”. the aims of the conclusion, and the entire film, are more satirical, on a very direct level.
Just a riff on mindless militarism at the end.
go boom.
I think those are fine readings as symbolism—after all, they fit with the satirical intent of the filmmaker. But Bobby’s right, the film is very specifically satirizing Cold War militarism.
>>Just a riff on mindless militarism at the end.<<
Also a riff on humans continuing to be petty & selfish as they face the infinite.
Hmmm … Bowman faces the infinite (I know cuz it sez so on the intertitle) in 2001 …
Too bad the pie-fight was cut from STRANGELOVE.
The ending to Strangelove is best appreciated in conjunction with 2001. Alternative destinies for humankind, one wondrous, the other rather less so. What could be more important for cinema to address?
The ending of this film has special meanings far outside the scope of a mere satire on military. I mean come on, you can pick that up during the opening credits…the film evolves or it wouldn’t have been that interesting. I have my theories, but don’t want to ruin the film’s magic by trying to fully explain everything.
Cypheron
Someone wrote this on youtube:
It was ironic. The world was about to end, and they were talking about the dumbest things. Man was going back to live in caves and they were only primarily concerned with bringing women back. The were dumb cavemen.
Dr. Strangelove going from a cripple in a wheelchair to standing up was symbolism for evolution of man. We were evolving into idiots.
— I never thought of that. But that whats Kubrick meant? wow. Best ending together with City Lights.