Catch-22

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Catch-22

R,

1970,

2h 1m,

Comedy/

Drama

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81%

31 Reviews

Tomatometer

76%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

76%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

This scathing war satire follows Capt. John Yossarian (Alan Arkin), a pilot stationed in the Mediterranean who flies bombing missions during World War II. Attempting to cope with the madness of armed conflict, Yossarian struggles to find a way out of his wartime reality. Surrounded by eccentric military officers, such as the opportunistic 1st Lt. Milo Minderbinder (Jon Voight), Yossarian must resort to extreme measures to escape his dire and increasingly absurd situation.

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Critics Consensus

Catch-22 takes entertainingly chaotic aim at the insanity of armed conflict, supported by a terrific cast and smart, funny work from Buck Henry and Mike Nichols.

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John Mahoney

The Hollywood Reporter

Nov 23, 2014

Cynical and bitterly cold... [Mike] Nichols and [Buck] Henry fail to make an anti-capitalist film. They have made their case so strong that it becomes an anti-human film.

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Time Out

Feb 9, 2006

Though the vertiginously absurdist logic of the book is hopelessly fractured, some of it does filter through (the mostly superb performances are a great help).

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Oct 23, 2004

3/4

Nichols has done the same thing in "Catch-22" that he did in "The Graduate." He's given us a funny beginning, then switched tones and gone serious.

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Christopher Lloyd

The Film Yap

Jul 24, 2023

4/5

The late Alan Arkin enjoyed one of the all-time great "that guy" film careers, such a reliable utility player people forget his leading role in Mike Nichols' adaptation of the Joseph Heller novel.

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Jane Freebury

The Canberra Times (Australia)

Aug 23, 2022

Cinematography by David Watkins and editing by Sam O'Steen are top class...

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Mar 3, 2022

3/4

Despite countless individual moments that result in humor, or alternatively, biting truth, the experience of watching Catch-22's inherent unevenness wears on the viewer.

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George S

Mar 2, 2019

The absurdity--and horror--of war. Alan Arkin stars as Yossarian, a World War II bombardier who will do anything to get sent back home. The problem is, if he convinces the brass that he's crazy (just one of his ideas), he'll probably be told he's not crazy at all, because only a sane person would want to be discharged, right? (That's the Catch-22.) The movie (which unspools for the most part as a series of fast-moving, screwball anecdotes) starts off as a wacky satire, turns into a drama, and is enormously entertaining throughout. With an all-star supporting cast that includes (but is by no means limited to) Orson Welles, Martin Balsam, Buck Henry (who wrote the script), Richard Benjamin and Jon Voight. The perfect anti-war flick. Directed by Mike Nichols; based on the novel by Joseph Heller. A must-see.

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Jan 27, 2019

The best comedy movie ever made!

Abraham S

Dec 21, 2018

Watched it when it was first released, then read the book. A classic in my opinion.

Theodore R

Aug 4, 2018

True to the spirit of the book, with a great cast this anti war critique stands the test of time. The list of well hit targets ranging from capitalist greed to individual INSANITY is impressive, SUCCEEDS in giving your awareness a good kicking!

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Luke R

Mar 21, 2018

this a rare example of where the movie is better than the book. the book was very long and introduced a new character in almost every chapter. the best parts of the book are included here and it is amazing. if one has not read the book one might find it a little disconected, still every scene is a classic.

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George W

Oct 18, 2017

A very different kind of war movie, but not as funny as the book.

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Mike Nichols

Director

Alan Arkin

Capt. John Yossarian

Martin Balsam

Col. Cathcart

Richard Benjamin

Maj. Danby

Art Garfunkel

Capt. Nately

Jack Gilford

Dr. "Doc" Daneeka

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Synopsis

This scathing war satire follows Capt. John Yossarian (Alan Arkin), a pilot stationed in the Mediterranean who flies bombing missions during World War II. Attempting to cope with the madness of armed conflict, Yossarian struggles to find a way out of his wartime reality. Surrounded by eccentric military officers, such as the opportunistic 1st Lt. Milo Minderbinder (Jon Voight), Yossarian must resort to extreme measures to escape his dire and increasingly absurd situation.

Director: Mike Nichols
Producer: John Calley, Martin Ransohoff
Screenwriter: Joseph Heller, Buck Henry
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 1970, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 2h 1m
Sound Mix: Mono

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