Movie Review: M*A*S*H*

[Ernie_D]

If you've seen the TV show, maybe you haven't seen the movie from which the TV show came from. You see all the familiar characters played by different actors-with the exception of Gary Burghoff as Radar in both the movie and TV show. You find out theorigin of certain nicknames-such as "Hot Lips Hoolihan", who gets a microphone placed under her cot during sex with Frank Burns ("Kiss me Frank, my lips are hot"). We also actuallly hear the theme song of the TV show sung. And finally, the results of a debate between Hawkeye and Trapper John over whether Hot Lips is a natural blonde or not-the tent flap on the nurse's shower is pulled up while Hot Lips is in the shower. At which point Hot Lips runs into Colonel Blake's office-only to discover that the Colonel is having sex with a nurse:"This isn't a hospital, it's an insane asylum". The Colonel gives her his best noncommital shrug and resumes having sex. As an origins, two thumbs up. As a stand alone movie, not so interesting as it depicts te worst side of doctors. If you have only seen the TV show, you will be shocked by the rough language and actions of the characters.

[JohnB]

No mention of the helicopters....the best part. Most of the H-13s used were the correct variants...litter equipped H-13 D/E.. Although the film stuck in a later Bell 47G3 with the early 47D/H-13A-C fabric covered tail boom and occasionally a 47J.

I find the film silly, not half as moving as SOME of the TV episodes (later in the series, the shows could be unbearably preachy).
The lame football sequence us straight out of the Marx Brother's "Horsefeathers" from the early 30s.

In his later (grouchy old man) years, director Robert Altman continually gripped about the TV series, seemingly unwilling to admit his effort had been bested by a sitcom.