MovieChat Forums > Catch-22 (1970) Discussion > Need explanation for the few scenes

Need explanation for the few scenes

posted 18 years ago by ngtv618
3 replies | jump to latest

In few scenes I saw some details but I couldn't get them. If someone can explain.

1)
In scene in Major Major's office when his tell Sergent who and when to let see him and before he sneaks out the window, picture on the wall is changed 3 times(Roosevelt(or Truman), Churchill and then Stalin). I'm not sure that I quite get it. Is it about things he is talking while each picture is there, to explain each leader or something else?

2) On the end of scene when he is acting as a dying soldier in front of his family through the window u can see the extremely blue sky in big contrast to the room. Does this also have some meaning or it's only for visual effect?

[–] undisputedkingoftheworld 18 years ago

1) Post-modern messing with the audience. An easter egg, of sorts, for those who are paying attention.

2) Whatever meaning you want to make of it. Probably for visual effect.

[–] Juletchka007 18 years ago

The pictures of the 3 politicians are supposed to symbolize "The Big Three", as they were called, after they met to find a war strategie against Hitler Germany. Their wish to defeat Hitler Germany made them allie and meet for the "Conference of Teheran" in 1943, which finally lead to the D-Day and their plan to divide Germany.

Read further in historical literature.

[–] rac701 9 years ago

1) The switch between the Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin portraits in the scene in Major Major's office was an inside joke by director Mike Nichols.

2) The blue sky outside Yossarian's darkened room, in which he surrealistically plays a dying soldier for the soldier's visiting family - who are so desperate to see their relative before he dies they bizarrely pretend not to notice Yossarian isn't their dying son and brother - may have been for its contrast with the dark room, but also could be just a coincidence.