War
Comedy
A bombardier in World War II tries desperately to escape the insanity of the war. However, sometimes insanity is the only sane way to cope with a crazy situation.
Directors
Alan Arkin
Capt. John Yossarian
Martin Balsam
Col. Cathcart
Richard Benjamin
Maj. Danby
Art Garfunkel
Capt. Nately
Jack Gilford
Dr. "Doc" Daneeka
Buck Henry
Lt. Col. Korn
Bob Newhart
Maj. 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
Brigadier General Dreedle
Bob Balaban
Capt. Orr
Susanne Benton
Dreedle's WAC
Norman Fell
First Sgt. Towser
Charles Grodin
Captain Aarfy Aardvark
Austin Pendleton
Lt. Col. Moodus
Peter Bonerz
Captain J.S. McWatt
Directors
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User reviews1
Review
Featured review
Alan Arkin is "Yossarian" - a flight bombardier determined to get himself invalided home from combat during WWII. He's been dropping bombs on Italy for ages and is tired of being shot at and is also becoming less sure of his chances of survival each time. He is also quite suspicious of his CO - "Cathcart" (Martin Balsam) who seems to make sure that every time a tour of duty ends, there is another reason for him to stick around. How to get home? Well, he hits on a plan that will bring his mental acuity under suspicion. Thing is, this plan is not without risks and what now ensues is quite a complex analysis of the horrors of a wartime existence. Though I found the predictable comedy elements of this wore thin really quickly, it does offer quite a seriously thought-provoking look at just how warfare can affect a man. The constant pressures of remaining alert and vigilant whilst simultaneously dealing with day-to-day threat and tragedy are quite well illustrated in Mike Nichols' adaptation of the poignant Joseph Heller bestseller. There is a pretty stellar supporting cast, but their largely cameo roles augment rather than outshine the effort from Arkin as things gradually become more immediate for the man. It's very, very verbose and I found the third quarter of the film just a bit slow and contrived - but as a glimpse of just how war might have looked and impacted on the people involved, it's interesting and at times the darker elements of the story are potently effective.
Geronimo196719 Jun, 2023
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Box office
Budget
$18,000,000Gross worldwide
$24,911,670