MovieChat Forums > Catch-22 (1970) Discussion > This movie is stunning...

This movie is stunning...

posted 11 years ago by daddie0
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I had watched this movie years ago, but was stunned by it's crisp beauty and stunning dialog when I watched it today. The monstrous scenes of the airfield, complete with timed background elements (planes in windows?!?!!) and amazing sound editing makes this one of the most timeless classics.

Scathing in it's indictment of human's love of war, this film speaks as clearly to where we are today as to where we have been for thousands of years. Like any classic, this film ages well...oh if we could only no longer relate to it's message!

[–] ridge-m-1 11 years ago

The bombed out headquarters scene when Yossarian makes his deal was one of the most difficult shots because of the timing of the B-25's along with Milo's bombing of the base which had to be done in one take.

I was fortunate enough to be an extra on this picture. The noise and excitement of 17 B-25's taking off, culminating in the film with Yossarrian flipping the bird is an event I will never forget.

This film could never be made today for many reasons but DP David Watkins would only shoot during a short window of daylight because of how he wanted the scenes lit in Guaymas, Mexico.

Released the same year as the smash hits MASH and Patton, Catch-22 was initially panned by the critics. The film has gone through a period of reassessment and is now considered a cult classic.

No announced Blu-ray release as of yet. Would it be too much to ask Criterion to resurrect this one of a kind film?

[–] spookyrat1 8 years ago

I think it's a brilliant movie, catching the mad, crazy atmosphere of the book, but adding the gritty, broken down realism of the base and it's aircraft, to the sun-soaked Mediterranean setting. It was always going to be a difficult book to adapt to film, but I think Nichols and Henry did a terrific job and it's easy for all to see why Heller himself, was an admirer of the film adaption.🐭