Mr. Strangelove:
Peter Sellers on Screen and Off
Taught by Ed Sikov, Ph.D.
Dr. Sikov has taught at Haverford College and Columbia University and is the author of several film books.

This course takes a look at the life and work of a screamingly funny, desperately unhappy soul – an international film star who thought he was empty. Through close analyses of four of Sellers’ greatest films, the course—taught by Sellers biographer Ed Sikov (Mr. Strangelove: A Biography of Peter Sellers)—examines the complex framework of Sellers’ intuitive, untrained talent; his fruitful but often troubled collaboration with his directors; and the unique nature and style of his comedy.

Sellers could mimic anyone and don any mask at will, but he was privately convinced that his personality had no core. His blistering improvisations could ruin takes by sending the casts and crews of his films into peals of uncontrollable laughter while the camera was running, but off screen he was a confused and lonely man, volatile one minute and sullen the next. Join us as we trace both his life and his art.

Archive of Past Courses (Click here)