Very different from the popular television show that followed, M*A*S*H, the movie, is darker, funnier, more chaotic, and openly anti-war. While the piece has many of the distinguishing features of Robert Altman's later work -- a talented ensemble cast, loose structure, naturalistic dialogue -- M*A*S*H was the first time the director really connected with critics and audiences alike. How's this for positive affirmation: The film won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, landed six Academy Award nominations, and you really can't beat the cast of Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Robert Duvall, Sally Kellerman, and Tom Skerritt.

Harold Check