Steve Coogan Reveals How They Made ‘Dr. Strangelove’ Relevant Again

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Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Embrace the Atom Bomb” is justifiably acclaimed as one of the outstanding dark comedies and one of the first truly contemporary black comedy films. Sixty years ago, it was quite startling, with its grim portrayal of the military and the President, not forgetting its uproariously funny titular character – a former Nazi scientist. The climax, an apocalyptic finale, is as darkly amusing to watch today as it was then, especially when Dr. Strangelove (one of three roles brilliantly played by Peter Sellers) repeatedly struggles to control his arm that reflexively salutes “Mein Führer!” In 2025, the chilling scene becomes even more haunting as the wealthiest man on Earth, after having donated nearly $300 million to a Presidential candidate, boldly performs the Nazi salute during the inauguration – twice. Today, with its themes perhaps more relevant than ever, it’s heartening to know that a fresh adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s timeless classic is on its way.

In this new role, seven-time BAFTA winner Steve Coogan, famed for his Alan Partridge character and other comedic endeavors like The Trip, Philomena, and The Penguin Lessons, steps into the shoes once filled by Peter Sellers (and introduces a fourth character to the cast). While The Penguin Lessons is more light-hearted and endearing, it shares some similarities with Dr. Strangelove in its blend of humor and poignant human struggles. Peter Cattaneo’s film explores these themes during Argentina’s tumultuous Dirty War era, a time when approximately 30,000 individuals were either killed or disappeared by the government. MovieWeb recently spoke with comedy legend Steve Coogan about The Penguin Lessons and his recent stage production of Dr. Strangelove, now available in cinemas through National Theatre Live.

Sean Foley and Armando Iannucci gave the script a fresh, more impactful tone in their rewrite, while keeping many iconic lines from the original. To ensure both long-time fans and new viewers would enjoy it, Coogan emphasized that when adapting Dr. Strangelove for modern times, care was taken to maintain the humor.

Interestingly enough, it turns out that some of the Nazi salutes used in the show are actually among the few times I’ve ever performed this gesture. As someone slightly left-leaning politically, I may have conducted more Nazi salutes over the past six months than some actual Nazis might have. However, these actions were all part of a noble endeavor to bring attention to the madness and fragility of our world.

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Steve Coogan playfully commented on “The Penguin Lessons“, stating “Penguins aren’t usually found in movies dealing with human rights violations.” In a similar vein, comedies about World War III were rare, particularly during the 1960s when “Dr. Strangelove” was produced. Yet, comedy’s charm lies in its ability to tackle grim subjects and offer social critique through satire, as Coogan further explained.

If you examine that piece, there seems to be a connection, even a shared heritage with “Penguin Lessons”. Both manage to tackle challenging themes gently, not like swallowing medicine. The penguin served as the central element, providing a focal point and making the hard personal odyssey set against a tumultuous, tragic era in Argentine history more palatable.

Stepping into the cinema, you’ll find the latest take on ‘Dr. Strangelove’ comes alive! Just as our London stage production translated splendidly to the big screen, so does this adaptation. As a reviewer, I must say, it’s a visual treat not to be missed!”

Additionally, if you fancy something heartwarming, head over to Sony Pictures Classics for ‘The Penguin Lessons’. It’s currently gracing the silver screen with its delightful charm.

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2025-04-05 02:01