In a discussion group recently the topic of 'book adaptations' has been brought up, and while I was watching this last night it occurred to me that this one is another good example of a successful 'book to movie' transformation that is neither too literal of a rote retelling, and stands on its own as a film.
Caught the final third of this one a couple weekends ago while flipping channels, and then watched the rest of the movie yesterday evening. Not the first time I'd seen it (I've actually lost count how many times), and it struck me how very fresh and innovative it still seems 30 plus years after the fact. There wasn't really anything like it seen before, with its overlapping dialog, meandering storyline and counter-cultural viewpoints.
Those brought up on the television series may find the flavor a little hard to digest, no neatly tied up plotlines, no laugh track, a subtler brand of humor.
Gould and Sutherland are a great pairing, and would go on to costar in a few other 'anti-establishment' comedies after this to lesser success. Gary Burghoff is quite good as Radar and would go on to repeat the role on television (I actually find him funnier in the movie, more subversive, where he seems to turn into a cute little mascot on the television series), Bud Cort, John Shuck, Michael Murphy & Sally Kellerman would all go on to become Altman regulars, and Robert Duvall portrays a truly memorable Frank Burns, who is all the more frightful for his seriousness, where the television version is turned into a buffoonish caricature.
A first feature by one of my favorite directors who unfortunately passed away last year, some other favorite Altman films: Nashville, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, 3 Women, Short Cuts, The Player, Gosford Park
Some other good 'anti-war' films and 'book adaptations': Catch 22, Slaughterhouse Five