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M*A*S*H

Presented by The Colonial Theatre

September 4, 2011

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This is it. The real thing. The quite iconoclastic film that spawned the very popular, long-running TV series of the same name. Starring Donald Sutherland and Elliot Gould (as, respectively, Hawkeye Pierce and Trapper John MacIntyre), this was Robert Altman's breakthrough film.

Featuring Sally Kellerman, in her breakout role as “Hot Lips” Houlihan, and Robert Duvall as poor Frank Burns, this was one of the most irreverent films of the 1970s. Though the subject matter and setting was a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) unit in 1950s Korea, everyone who saw it knew that it was a biting, mordant, and often hilarious commentary on the madness of our incursion into Vietnam and, by extension, all wars. Featuring Altman’s trademark rapid-fire, overlapping dialogue and (for the time) shocking views of surgical realities, with black humor thrown in, this was one of the biggest hits of its time, garnering several Academy Award nominations and providing Ring Lardner with an Oscar for his hilarious, trenchant screenplay. And yes, that is Gary Burghoff in the role of “Radar” O”Reilly, the only actor here to transfer his character to the famed TV series. (Bill Roth)

Directed by Robert Altman. US. 1970. R. 116 min. Criterion. 35mm.