What It Is, Is Brilliant

M*A*S*H (1970) – In the middle of the Korean War, an Army mobile hospital tries to save lives while maintaining some level of military discipline when career officers are confronted with rule-breaking draftee surgeons.

Directed by Robert Altman

Starring Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Tom Skerritt, Sally Kellerman, Robert Duvall, Gary Burghoff.

Why I Liked It: A brilliant anti-war black comedy.

When “Hawkeye” Pierce and “Duke” Forrest arrive in Korea, they bring two skills: surgery and irreverence. The “Regular Army” types at MASH 4077 are impressed by the first but less than happy with the second. With the addition of “Trapper John” McIntyre, the three will challenge conventional mores and military order.

After the success of these characters in novel, movie, and television series formats, “M*A*S*H” has become a cultural icon. It’s interesting to note that each of the three versions varies to a large degree in how they are presented. There has been considerable friction between the creators of each version as well.

As much as this movie “belongs” to its brilliant cast, you can not overlook the director, Robert Altman. Here, he brings to bear all the things he’s learned into an instantly recognizable style. The dialogue piles up like a train wreck. Visually, it feels almost documentary in style, with an ensemble cast, and character leading the story rather than plot structure. The effect can be overwhelming, but it’s also a stunning presentation of high-pressure situations.

In the late 1980s, while I was working at a small market radio station, I got a promotional copy of the book “The Fox That Got Away: The Last Days of the Zanuck Dynasty at Twentieth Century-Fox” by Stephen M. Silverman. I recommend it (if you can find it).

Towards the end of the book, you find the story behind this movie. Twentieth Century Fox was in deep financial trouble after a series of flops late in the 1960s. Heading into 1970, the studio had three war films lined up for release. That included the combined U.S./Japan production of “Tora, Tora, Tora”, “M*A*S*H”, and “Patton”. That last movie was the favorite of a good portion of the studio’s Board of Directors. For some of the Board, “M*A*S*H” was an offense, and some did everything they could to kill the project.

While both of the World War II movies did well (“Tora, Tora, Tora” did not get great reviews at first but has become a classic movie in its own right), audiences fell in love with the story of the chaos at the 4077^th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. Hawkeye, Trapper John, Radar, Frank Burns, “Hot Lips” Houlihan, Henry Blake and more characters were adopted by the audience instantly.

With the warning that this is NOT the family fare that the television series was, the movie is a brilliant effort in all aspects of moviemaking. The cast is brilliant, and the direction is iconic. For me, it’s as good an anti-war movie as has ever been made. Almost sixty years later, it still is. But again, it’s not family friendly, it’s not politically correct, nor does it paper over the misogyny and racism of both the time it portrays or the time in which it was shot.

You can stream “M*A*S*H” on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube,

YouTube TV, Fandango At Home, Google Play Movies

Rating – ***** Highest Recommendation