Sex, death, paranoia.
Key toDr Strangeloves brilliance is the production design of Ken Adam.
He loved it, Adam recalled in a making-of documentary.
He said, its exactly right.
It was miserable, Adam said, But you get to know each other pretty well…
The friction really started during filming.
Two weeks into filming, Kubrick decided it didnt work.
Ken, you know Ive been thinking about that set, Kubrick told the designer.
What are we going to do with the 70 extras on the upper level?
I think you have to rethink your concept.
Initially thrown, Adam quietly swallowed his horror and set about reworking his design.
Kubricks exigent nature soon resulted in a masterpiece.
Even today, the War Room looks strikingly modern.
Its beautiful and also eerie.
One wall is festooned with huge maps of the world.
On the opposite side sits a long buffet table stocked with fine wines and expensive-looking finger food.
In the centre of the jet-black floor sits a circular table some 22 feet across.
Yet its War Room, Id argue, that is Adams most lasting contribution to cinema.
Ken Adam sadly died on the 10th March 2016 at the age of 95.
His work inDr Strangelovestands as a lasting testament to the genius of his design.
