Catch-22 (1970)

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

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers:

Joseph Heller (novel), Buck Henry (screenplay)

Stars:

Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Arkin	...	Capt. John Yossarian
Martin Balsam	...	Col. Cathcart
Richard Benjamin	...	Maj. Danby
Art Garfunkel	...	Capt. Nately (as Arthur Garfunkel)
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	...	Brig. Gen. Dreedle
Seth Allen	...	Hungry Joe
Bob Balaban	...	Capt. Orr
Susanne Benton	...	Dreedle's WAC

Storyline

A bombardier in World War II tries desperately to escape the insanity of the war. However, sometimes insanity is the only sane way cope with a crazy situation. Catch-22 is a parody of a "military mentality" and of a bureaucratic society in general.

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Plot Keywords:

insanity | friend | catch 22 | military | bombardier | 

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Genres:

Comedy | War

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

24 June 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Catch 22

Filming Locations:

Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Filmways Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While on a tirade in his office, Major Major walks past a framed photo of Franklin D. Roosevelt. In a continuous shot, he paces around his office, and when he passes the picture again, it is of Winston Churchill, as he makes one more round of his office and grabs the fake mustache out of his filing cabinet, the photo has changed to that of Joseph Stalin.

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Goofs

The Baby Ruth bar rises up inside Danby's pocket as the planes take off.

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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.

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Connections

Referenced in The Office: The Fight (2005)

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Soundtracks

"September Song"
(uncredited)
Music by Kurt Weill and lyrics by Maxwell Anderson
Performed by Django Reinhardt

User Reviews

Don't buy or rent the VHS or Laser editions of this movie!

CATCH-22 was filmed using a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.35:1 (an image almost two-and-a-half times wider than it is high). Every inch of the picture area was used by the cinematographer for important information. If you watch the horrible, cropped pan-and-scan version, which is all you can get on either VHS or Laser Disc, you are missing close to 40% of the intended picture area and a great deal of important stuff! I've seen this desecrated version and, be warned, you will not even understand the final flashback revelation because it is not even in the frame!! People who can't stand those "black bars" on the top and bottom of the screen are going to miss the entire point of this movie!! Rent or buy the DVD, which is widescreen and restores all this critical image area. Do not judge this film if you can't see it all. I have to wonder how many of the previous reviews here are based upon the unbelievably butchered VHS version.