Catch 22 (1970)
Country: US
Technical: col/scope 122m
Director: Mike Nichols
Cast: Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Art Garfunkel, Buck Henry, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Jon Voight, Martin Sheen
Synopsis:
On a US Army Air Force bomber base in the Mediterranean, bombardier Yossarian grapples with the insanities of running endless missions over Italy and seeing his comrades disappear one by one.
Review:
The film of the book which coined an expression best defined as follows: 'The only way to be taken off bombing missions is if the Doc says you're insane; but only a crazy person would want to fly missions; ergo, if the Doc certifies you, you've got to go on flying missions!!'. Heller's novel is more notable, however, for its fragmented, non-chronological structure, and this is marvellously imitated by Nichols/Henry in what at times seems like an interminable nightmare, with its repeated 'Help him!' scene and ingenious stream-of-consciousness transitions. It also caught the Vietnam-influenced anti-war mood at just the right time and managed to be funnier and grimmer than its contemporary, M*A*S*H. The cinematography has an evocative khaki hue throughout and every part is adroitly played by a choice cast. There is just a faint feeling of overkill about the movie which perhaps keeps it from classic status.
Country: US
Technical: col/scope 122m
Director: Mike Nichols
Cast: Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Art Garfunkel, Buck Henry, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Jon Voight, Martin Sheen
Synopsis:
On a US Army Air Force bomber base in the Mediterranean, bombardier Yossarian grapples with the insanities of running endless missions over Italy and seeing his comrades disappear one by one.
Review:
The film of the book which coined an expression best defined as follows: 'The only way to be taken off bombing missions is if the Doc says you're insane; but only a crazy person would want to fly missions; ergo, if the Doc certifies you, you've got to go on flying missions!!'. Heller's novel is more notable, however, for its fragmented, non-chronological structure, and this is marvellously imitated by Nichols/Henry in what at times seems like an interminable nightmare, with its repeated 'Help him!' scene and ingenious stream-of-consciousness transitions. It also caught the Vietnam-influenced anti-war mood at just the right time and managed to be funnier and grimmer than its contemporary, M*A*S*H. The cinematography has an evocative khaki hue throughout and every part is adroitly played by a choice cast. There is just a faint feeling of overkill about the movie which perhaps keeps it from classic status.
Country: US
Technical: col/scope 122m
Director: Mike Nichols
Cast: Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Art Garfunkel, Buck Henry, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Jon Voight, Martin Sheen
Synopsis:
On a US Army Air Force bomber base in the Mediterranean, bombardier Yossarian grapples with the insanities of running endless missions over Italy and seeing his comrades disappear one by one.
Review:
The film of the book which coined an expression best defined as follows: 'The only way to be taken off bombing missions is if the Doc says you're insane; but only a crazy person would want to fly missions; ergo, if the Doc certifies you, you've got to go on flying missions!!'. Heller's novel is more notable, however, for its fragmented, non-chronological structure, and this is marvellously imitated by Nichols/Henry in what at times seems like an interminable nightmare, with its repeated 'Help him!' scene and ingenious stream-of-consciousness transitions. It also caught the Vietnam-influenced anti-war mood at just the right time and managed to be funnier and grimmer than its contemporary, M*A*S*H. The cinematography has an evocative khaki hue throughout and every part is adroitly played by a choice cast. There is just a faint feeling of overkill about the movie which perhaps keeps it from classic status.