
Catch-22 (1970)
Director: Mike Nichols
Screenplay: Buck Henry based on CATCH-22 by Joseph Heller
Stars: Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Art Garfunkel, Jack Gilford, Buck Henry, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Martin Sheen, Jon Voight, Bob Balaban, Susanne Benton, Norman Fell, Charles Grodin, Austin Pendleton, Peter Bonerz, Philip Roth, Bruce Kirby, Richard Libertini and Orson Welles.
Tagline: The nice thing about war is that the person who kills you really has nothing against you. Personally.
The Plot…
Captain John Yossarian is a U.S. Army Air Force B-25 bombardier during World War II. A bombardier’s job is dangerous enough, but Yossarian’s commanding officer, Colonel Cathcart, is making it worse. Normally once a bombardier has flown 25 missions, he’s rotated out. Colonel Cathcart keeps raising the required number of missions before rotation out. It now stands at 80. Which is basically a death sentence.
Yossarian decides if a doctor agrees he is no longer fit for duty, he will be taken from the flight rotations. When Yossarian talks to the doctor, he learns of Catch-22. Because bombing flights are so dangerous, you’d have to be crazy to do them. But if you ask to be relieved of duty because of the danger, it shows you’re not crazy, just prudent. If you’re not crazy, you have to fly.
Yossarian is haunted by the bloody death of a young turret gunner who was killed on a flight with Yossarian. But that doesn’t make him crazy, just someone who cares. As Yossarian looks around he sees the madness of war. Their squadron commander, Major Major has never flown a single bombing mission. Further, Major Major refuses to see people while he’s in his office. They must see him when he’s out. But they must make their appointments when he is in. Colonel Cathcart is more concerned with getting good press than the safety of his men. And those are just tips of the iceberg.
But Yossarian has a plan. He’ll prove he’s insane. But how do you look crazy among all the madness?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Catch-22 features Art Garfunkle and Bruce Kirby film debuts.
Bob Newhart, Peter Bonerz, and Jack Riley all appear in the film. Bonerz and Riley would go on to be regulars in The Bob Newhart Show.
Stacey Keach originally had the role of Colonel Cathcart. Director Mike Nichols fired him over creative differences and brought in Martin Balsam to fill the role.
Paula Prentiss has a scene with full frontal nudity. It was one of the first times a major Hollywood actress bared all in a Hollywood production.
John Jordan, the second unit director, refused to wear a harness during a bomber scene. Jordan died when he slipped out of the open tail turret and fell 4,000 feet into the ocean.
Catch-22 (1970) rates 4 of 5 stars

