Catch-22 (1970)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers:

Joseph Heller (novel)
Buck Henry (screenplay)

Release Date:

24 June 1970 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | War

Plot:

A man is trying desperately to be certified insane during World War II, so he can stop flying missions.

Plot Keywords:

Defenestration | Top Sergeant | Body Cast | Army Pilot | Bombadier

Awards:

Nominated for BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Alan Arkin	...	Capt. John Yossarian, (bombardier)
Martin Balsam	...	Col. Cathcart (CO, 256th Squadron)
Richard Benjamin	...	Maj. Danby (Flight Operations Officer)
Art Garfunkel	...	Capt. Nately (as Arthur Garfunkel)
Jack Gilford	...	Dr. 'Doc' Daneeka
Buck Henry	...	Lt. Col. Korn (XO / Roman policeman)
Bob Newhart	...	Maj. Major Major Major
Anthony Perkins	...	Chaplain Capt. A.T. Tappman
Paula Prentiss	...	Nurse Duckett
Martin Sheen	...	1st Lt. Dobbs
Jon Voight	...	1st Lt. Milo Minderbinder
Orson Welles	...	Brig. Gen. Dreedle
Bob Balaban	...	Capt. Orr
Susanne Benton	...	Dreedle's WAC
Norman Fell	...	First Sgt. Towser

Runtime:

122 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Sweden:15 | West Germany:16 | Hungary:14 | Singapore:NC-16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:16 (1971) | Portugal:(Banned) (1970-1974) | UK:15 (video rating) | USA:R | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico

Company:

Filmways Productions

Trivia:

Stacy Keach was originally cast as Colonel Cathcart when shooting started, but things did not work out, and Charles Grodin (I) (who had already been cast as Capt. Aarfy Aardvark) was asked to take over. As the part was written for an older man, old age make-up was experimented with for a few days, until it was decided to cast Martin Balsam instead, and Grodin returned to his original part.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the second-to-last shot Yossarian is running toward the beach with his yet-to-be-inflated life raft. In the background, the squadron's aircraft are parked on either side of the runway, while a band and dozens of troops are marching/drilling. In the next shot, Yossarian inflates the raft, climbs in and starts paddling. The camera pulls back to show an empty runway.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Lt. Col. Korn, XO: [speaking to Yossarian] All you have to do is be our pal.
Colonel Cathcart: Say nice things about us.
Lt. Col. Korn, XO: Tell the folks at home what a good job we're doing. Take our offer Yossarian.
Colonel Cathcart: Either that or a court-martial for desertion.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Dynasty: Catch 22 (#9.22)" (1989)

Soundtrack:

Una furtiva lacrima

"You are a very weird person, Yossarian"

Like many movies, the reading of the book for background information is really helpful here, but not mandatory. For 1970, it has the biggest and best crew of stars probably ever offered on film. It's unfortunate that most university graduates from pre-1980 have heard the expression "Catch-22" but haven't watched the movie or read the book.

During one part of the story, Yossarian, the lead bombardier, finds out that they are going to bomb an Italian village that has no stragetic interest to the US war effort. He decides to drop his bombs on the Mediterranean Sea, and since he's the Lead Bombardier of his Army squadron, everyone else has to follow suit. The General, General Scheisskopk (check out what that means in German, folks) wants to court marshall him, or shoot him. His Colonels dissuade him from doing this, give Yossarian a medal and promote him to avoid the negative publicity which would happen if this information got the press.

This movie has many ironic experiences shown, including the horrors of war. The cinematography is excellent and the movie is well worth watching. Yossarian is the anti-hero who goes through many adventures that young people should see before entering service.

Jack Hamann