Catch-22 **** (Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Art Garfunkel, Jack Gilford, Buck Henry, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Jon Voight, Martin Sheen, Orson Welles) – Classic Movie Review 7941

Buck Henry’s screenplay to bring to the screen the complex Joseph Heller satirical novel Catch-22 about the absurdities of life in an American wartime Air Force camp is not perfect. But it is intelligent, dark and funny enough – at least as interpreted by these often brilliant performers.

The now legendary, iconic star cast are Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Art Garfunkel, Jack Gilford, Buck Henry, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Jon Voight, Martin Sheen, Orson Welles, Charles Grodin, Bob Balaban, Marcel Dalio, Austin Pendelton and Norman Fell.

It is an epic anti-war satire, and director Mike Nichols is not always surefooted in handling a long (122 minutes), sometimes awkward film. But he encourages lovely turns from a large ensemble of actors, who could be variable, bringing out the best in them. Particularly outstanding are Richard Benjamin as the creepy Major Danby, Anthony Perkins as the weak chaplain Captain A T Tappman, and Alan Arkin whose central performance as Captain John Yossarian holds it all together. Orson Welles is amusing as blustering Brigadier General Dreedle.

Yossarian is going crazy trying to be certified insane in World War Two so he can stop flying missions. He is stuck in a Catch-22 situation.

Cinematographer David Watkin shoots a very smart-looking film in widescreen and Richard Sylbert’s production designs continue the look of quality.

Catch-22 is an adult comedy, with a little swearing, nudity, sex and violence. Its original rating in the UK was X and it is now a 15.

Nichols and Buck Henry meticulously worked on the screenplay for two years, trying to transfer to film Heller’s complicated novel, set on a fictional wartime Mediterranean base, and bring to screen life its lunatic characters.

 © Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7941

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