About me:Hi,
Am back to read and rating more often now. Thanks for all the recent rrc's, especially the E's....
Member since:08.02.2008
Reviews:273
Members who trust:57
Review rated by 28 Ciao members on average: very helpful
Despite seeing very few M*A*S*H episodes in my life I knew from these few that it was a television series that I would love and so when I ordered it for Christmas I also ordered the M*A*S*H film which incidentally is what the television series is based upon.
I must at this point say that I was thoroughly disappointed with the film and since watching the first two series' of the television series have become even more disappointed with it. Now I'm certain that most people will disagree with me and say that the film was brilliant and hilarious throughout but I just can't find the appeal.
Like the television series the film is based in the 4077th MASH unit and shows how they cope with the day to day burden of facing countless young men that they must put back together again and ship out to continue the fighting. Unlike the television series however the film, being much longer, didn't simply deal with one issue and in my opinion this is its downfall.
At this point it would normally be customary for me to explain what the film is about but to be perfectly honest I'm not quite sure, and yes I have watched it. All I can tell you is that it is a mish-mash of different schemes, plans and ploys that usually surround Captain's Pierce and McIntyre, two of the unit's surgeons. The pair are eagerly aided by Corporal Radar O'Reily who's 'radar like' hearing enables him to pre-anticipate orders and hear incoming choppers before any one else can hear or see them.
Of all the film's cast it is only Gary Burghoff that played Radar that was kept on for the television series and for this I am very thankful, as in my opinion he is the only one that pulls off a good performance in the entire film.
From the beginning to the very end if I'm honest I was generally quite confused about who was who. The characters didn't seem to be introduced properly and the acting was pretty wooden throughout in my opinion. The characters of Pierce and McIntyre lack the spontaneous uniqueness that they have in the television series and Colonel Henry Blake is more stupid than laid back.
Now I know that comparing the movie with the television series is not a good idea and I accept that because in reality the film is the true MASH and the series merely a spin-off. Despite this however I must say that if I had seen the film before any of the series I would not have gone on the purchase and watch the television series as the standard of the film just didn't excite me one little bit.
I cannot in all honesty comprehend how such a duff of a movie became the inspiration for such a fantastic and lengthy television series that is loved by many. Yes I know that the film was nominated for five Academy Awards and that according to the DVD box is hailed as one of the best comedies ever made but I personally cannot see the genius nor the appeal in it.
If you want my opinion I would definitely recommend that you stick to the series and miss the film out all together, as you won't be missing anything at all.
I do agree that the film was weak compared to the TV series - I saw it some time after the TV series began and was really surprised how so-so it was compared to both the actors and writing in the TV show.
ingMASHin 1970 confused the film for anything but a caustic comment on the Vietnam War; this is one of the counterculture movies that exploded into the mainstream at the ...
ingMASHin 1970 confused the film for anything but a caustic comment on the Vietnam War; this is one of the counterculture movies that exploded into the mainstream at the ...
my surgeons brilliantly brought to life by Donald Sutherland Tom Skerritt and Elliott Gould. Though highly skilled and deeply dedicated they adopt a hilarious lunatic ...
The Truth About Love (DVD) Production Year: 2004 - Comedy - Director: John Hay - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jimi Mistry, Kate Miles, Dougray Scott 1 review Buy Now
![M*A*S*H (Single Disc Edition) [1969] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78497958.jpg)
07.01.2009 20:56
Great review, John
06.01.2009 14:09
great review aggy xxx
06.01.2009 11:51
I do agree that the film was weak compared to the TV series - I saw it some time after the TV series began and was really surprised how so-so it was compared to both the actors and writing in the TV show.