Comedies, Black Comedy, World War II, Recommended, Military, Satire, Theatrical Release, Essential Cinema
Description
Based on Joseph Heller's critically acclaimed, best-selling novel, CATCH-22 is Mike Nichols's provocative antiwar satire that tells the frenetic tale of a group of World War II fliers trapped in the insanity of the Mediterranean. The "catch-22" of the title deals with a military snafu that results when Yossarian (Alan Arkin), a bombardier in the war, attempts to get out of the military by feigning insanity. Yet the simple fact that he is able to acknowledge his own mortality automatically renders him sane. Frustrated into submission, the frazzled Yossarian must return to the frontlines to watch his friends and compatriots die off one by one.
After the success of WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and THE GRADUATE, Nichols bravely attempted to translate Heller's beloved novel to the big screen. As the terrified Yossarian, Arkin is his typically brilliant self. The rest of the all-star cast--which includes heavy-hitters Orson Welles, Jon Voight, Martin Sheen, Bob Newhart, and Anthony Perkins--further bring Heller's scathing vision to life. While the breakout success of Robert Altman's M*A*S*H and Nichols's experimental approach to the material might have attributed to the film's lackluster box office response, CATCH-22 remains a strikingly relevant condemnation of war.
DVD Features
Region 1 Keep Case - Checkpoint Single Side - Dual Layer Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35 Letterbox - 2.35 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 - English Mono - English, French Subtitles - English - Optional Additional Release Material: Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer Audio Commentary: 1. Mike Nichols - DIRECTOR 2. Steven Soderbergh - FILM EXPERT Interactive Features: Scene Access Interactive Menus Text/Photo Galleries: Photo Galleries
Dr. 'Doc' Daneeka: Sure. Catch-22. Anyone who wants to get out of combat isn't really crazy, so I can't ground him. Yossarian: OK, let me see if I've got this straight. In order to be grounded, I've... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
