I know that communism was and is still a big deal in USA and I do savvy the essence of the subtle political scenario between USSR and USA back then. But what struck me odd is; I don't understand the humor in this movie and I know it's just me. So my question is; Do you need be an American Patriot to enjoy this movie?
shareI am not an "American Patriot" but I do live in the USA and I got the humor pretty much. I don't think you need to be like hilariously laughing out loud the entire movie or falling over or anything. It's more just like, did you get what they were going for. This was made in the early 60s after all , a long time ago, so its understandable that modern sense of humor is different and more fast paced
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So yeah, that's how I feel anyways
I'm from the UK, I know nothing about the Cold War, and this is still my favourite comedy so no, you don't have to be an American to find the movie funny.
shareDo you mean you "know nothing about the Cold War" because you're from the UK or that you're simply too young to remember it? I find the first reason difficult to believe. The UK did/does have a nuclear equipped military and was, as an island, essentially (per NATO) "a natural aircraft carrier" for American bombers carrying thermonuclear bombs.
sharewhat I'm always curious about is the dubbing of a movie like this into another language, because ya miss all the voice inflections of the actors.
shareTrue. Dubbing is generally destroying the careful casting and great acting in most movies.
With some rare exceptions where the dub actually is on par with or better than the original.
However, I prefer to watch all movies in their original language, with subtitles when needed.
But I do not think this movie was dubbed for showing in the UK ;)
Absolutely not. I'm Canadian and I understand the jokes and the humor perfectly well. I think as long as you have a basic understanding of the history of the Cold War and what was going on at the time, you'll find the movie funny no matter where you're from. But Americans might find it just slightly more humorous, especially those who lived through the cold war.
shareNo, you have to be British and born before 1950 to fully appreciate the humour in this great movie.
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I was born in the states in 1969 and this one of my favorite movies. I do agree it's very British in it's dry satirical comedy style. It always makes me think of a Brave New World style wise.
shareYou have to be American to appreciate Canada. If I ever went to Europe or most anywhere I would say I was Canadian to avoid the (thoroughly-deserved) American stereotype.
But back to the movie, it helps being American to appreciate ANY movie, as US is where the biggest-dollar audience is so that's to whom movies are made to appeal.
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Guacamole in my choos
If I ever went to Europe or most anywhere I would say I was Canadian to avoid the (thoroughly-deserved) American stereotype.
"You have to be American to appreciate Canada. If I ever went to Europe or most anywhere I would say I was Canadian to avoid the (thoroughly-deserved) American stereotype."
Such nonsensical, self-gratifying, projection BS. Spoken truly like someone who hasn't spent one nanosecond in Europe or anywhere else more than a few miles from home.
I'm American and have spent several months all over Europe on several occasions since the mid '90s, including spending the entire month of June over there this summer wandering around in ten countries from the UK to Italy, and about everywhere in between. I also have some very good European friends, two of which have come to visit me in the US from England and Germany. Your subjective version of reality is the exact opposite of my experiences over the years. I have never had anyone be rude to me in another country because I'm American or for any other reason, quite the opposite. Some will ask if I'm Canadian or American (because we tend to sound alike to them), and I can't imagine why anyone would lie about such a thing. In my experience all over Europe, and especially in the non-touristy areas that aren't used to seeing a lot of foreigners, people are interested in Americans and want to try out their English with a natural English speaker, especially someone who (I have been told) to them sounds like the actors in so many American movies they've seen. Some have told me I'm the first actual American they've met, or they talk about their connections to the US if they have any. One young lady working as a cashier in a restaurant in London, after I made her laugh with some silly quip, asked me if I was American or Canadian. I said jokingly, "American. Doesn't the fact I have no accent give it away?" She laughed and said the coffee that I had just ordered was on her. When I asked why, she said "Because I can", but the impression I got was that it was at least partly due to the fact I was from the US and she enjoyed talking and joking with me. I had a similar experience with a hotel desk clerk in France and a cashier at a grocery store in Salisbury, England.
If you're ashamed of who you are or you have trouble with people you meet in other countries, look in the mirror. Birds of a narrow-minded feather tend to flock together.
I'm 19 from the UK just watched it for the first time and I had worried I wouldn't get the humour but I did I was laughing out loud a lot loved it!
shareNo, but you'll need some knowledge on the political scenario the movie is set to understand much of what's going on.
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I'm 33 years old and I am from Romania, one of my favorite movies.
Raylan Givens: I'm going to need an ambulance, and a coroner.
A knowledge of the Cold War and the 60s helps, but it seems a lot of people enjoy this film without it. What I don't understand is, why would you think being an "American Patriot" was necessary to enjoy this film? This film actually makes fun of that kind of mindset.
shareKubrick wasn't exactly a cliche Yankee ignoramus was he? Remember the scene where James Earl Jones and his mate pop up from below stairs? See an earlier version in Hobson's Choice http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047094/reference and the later quote in Alien. The film is in the vein of the western satirical tradition, rather than American parochialism.
Marlon, Claudia and Dimby the cats 1989-2005, 2007 and 2010.
So, Dimby made it to 21? Impressive!
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