M*A*S*H (1970)

Directed by Robert Altman. Starring Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Tom Skerritt, Roger Bowen, Sally Kellerman, Robert Duvall, René Auberjonois, Gary Burghoff, Jo Ann Pflug, John Schuck, David Arkin, G. Wood, Fred Williamson, Michael Murphy, Bud Cort, (voice) Sal Viscuso. [R]

The epitome of war comedy on film, which originated the “Altman-esque” style, and even inspired a long-running sitcom. The setting is the Korean War, but the movie was knowingly produced at a time when America’s current conflict in North Vietnam was becoming increasingly unpopular every day; nevertheless, whether Korea, Vietnam, or the red planet Mars, the satire and cynicism will seemingly always be timely and trenchant. “Follow the zany antics of our combat surgeons as they cut and stitch their way along the front line; operating as bombs and bullets burst around them; snatching laughs and love between amputations and penicillin.” Those crazy doctors of the 4077th may be irreverent and completely disrespectful of the chain of command, but when it comes to saving lives, they’re skilled and dedicated professionals (as long as they can get in a little golf after surgery). “Follow Hawkeye, Trapper, Duke, Dago Red, Painless, Radar, Hot Lips, Dish, and Staff Sergeant Vollmer as they put our boys back together again.” Famed theme song written by Johnny Mandel, with lyrics by Mike Altman (the director’s fourteen-year-old son). Winner of the Palme d’Or from Cannes, as well as an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (Ring Lardner Jr., based on the Richard Hooker book)—the latter was awarded despite the fact that the vast majority of the film’s dialogue was improvised by the actors. Early film roles for numerous supporting players, including Auberjonois, Cort and Williamson. “That is all.”

94/100