M*A*S*H (film)

M%2AA%2AS%2AH (1970 film poster)

M*A*S*H is a 1970 American comedy film directed by Robert Altman and written by Ring Lardner Jr., based on the 1968 novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors by Richard Hooker. The film, which is set in the Korean War, follows a group of United States Army surgeons and nurses stationed at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) who use humor and high jinks to keep their sanity in the face of the horror of war.

Plot

The film centers on Hawkeye Pierce and Duke Forrest, two surgeons who arrive at the 4077th MASH. They join a team of medical personnel including Trapper John McIntyre, Major Margaret Houlihan, Major Frank Burns, and Corporal Radar O'Reilly. Together, they navigate the challenges of surgery on the front lines, dealing with the constant influx of wounded soldiers while finding ways to maintain their own mental health through irreverent behavior and camaraderie.

Cast

• Donald Sutherland as Captain Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce
• Elliott Gould as Captain John Francis Xavier "Trapper John" McIntyre
• Tom Skerritt as Captain Augustus Bedford "Duke" Forrest
• Sally Kellerman as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan
• Robert Duvall as Major Frank Burns
• Roger Bowen as Lieutenant Colonel Henry Braymore Blake
• Rene Auberjonois as Father John Patrick "Dago Red" Mulcahy
• Gary Burghoff as Corporal Walter Eugene "Radar" O'Reilly

Production

Directed by Robert Altman, M*A*S*H was notable for its innovative use of sound, including overlapping dialogue and the use of the PA system to convey announcements to the characters and audience. The film was shot on location in California, standing in for Korea. Its production was marked by tensions between Altman and the cast, as well as between Altman and 20th Century Fox, the studio behind the film.

Reception

Upon its release, M*A*S*H was a critical and commercial success. It won the Palme d'Or at the 1970 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for five Academy Awards, winning one for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film's anti-establishment tone resonated with a Vietnam War-weary audience, making it a cultural phenomenon. It has since been recognized as one of the greatest films of all time, particularly noted for its innovative direction and sharp, satirical script.

Legacy

M*A*S*H spawned a highly successful television series of the same name, which ran from 1972 to 1983. The series, while initially inspired by the film, developed its own identity and became one of the most beloved and enduring shows in television history. The film also influenced many subsequent war comedies and dramas, setting a precedent for blending humor with serious subject matter.