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 (based on the novel by), Buck Henry (screenplay by)

Stars:

Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alan Arkin	...	Yossarian
Martin Balsam	...	Colonel Cathcart
Richard Benjamin	...	Major Danby
Art Garfunkel	...	Nately (as Arthur Garfunkel)
Jack Gilford	...	Doc Daneeka
Buck Henry	...	Colonel Korn
Bob Newhart	...	Major Major
Anthony Perkins	...	Chaplain Tappman
Paula Prentiss	...	Nurse Duckett
Martin Sheen	...	Dobbs
Jon Voight	...	Milo Minderbinder
Orson Welles	...	General Dreedle
Bob Balaban	...	Orr
Susanne Benton	...	Dreedle's WAC
Norman Fell	...	Sergeant Towser

Storyline

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. Catch-22 is a parody of a "military mentality", and of a bureaucratic society in general.

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Plot Keywords:

year 1944 | bomber | based on novel | world war two | u.s. military | 

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Taglines:

The anti-war satire of epic proportions.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | War

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film has one of the longest, most complex uninterrupted scenes ever made. In the scene, where two actors talking against a background, sixteen of the seventeen planes, four groups of four aircraft, took off at the same time. As the scene progresses, the actors entered a building and the same planes were seen through the window, climbing into formation. The problem was, for every take, the Production Manager had to call the planes back and made to take off again for every take of the particular scene. This was done four times.

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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 Chase Australia: Episode #2.105 (2016)

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Soundtracks

I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
(uncredited)
Music by George Bassman
Performed by Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra

User Reviews

Bravo...Loved it

I am in love with this book, so when I saw that there was a movie I flipped out and ordered it right away... and it was fantastic. I love the actors and I love how Nichols directed it. However, I was disappointed of the changes they made, where's Dunbar? He was like my 2nd favorite character. He was Yo-yo's best friend.... Also, they said it was Hungry Joe who was cut in half by McWatt, but it was really Kid Sampson, I could see how they didn't want to have too many characters to keep up with (in the book I felt like that was true) but still, Hungry Joe was...amazing, he was hilarious. Also, I'm not sure if I liked how Nately died, opposed to the books version. I suppose it made more since to kill him off when Milo's deal (the bombing thing), but it was when he died in combat mission that really broke Yossarian. I think Jon Voight did an fantastic job of Milo, he was really how I pictured Milo, I was really excited about that. The poignant walk through Rome that Yossarian takes, was so, perfect as well. But all in all, this was an excellent portrayal of the book, I totally imagined this movie (the settings, what Yossarian looked like, everything pretty much) as I was reading the book.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

24 June 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Catch-22

Filming Locations:

Empalme, Sonora, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$18,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Filmways Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1