Rating: 
Summary: "This isn't a hospital! It's an insane asylum!"
Review: Robert Altman's "M*A*S*H" is certainly an anti-war film in that it's set in an army hospital near the frontlines of Korea, and features battered bodies and at least once, a geyser of blood from a severed artery. Its main characters, Hawkeye Pierce (Donald Sutherland), Trapper John McIntyre (Elliott Gould), find themselves patching together the battered remains of what were once young soldiers.
But in between marathon sessions in the OR, Hawkeye and Trapper John wage their own witty war against incompetence, confomity, hypocrisy and overbearing authority. They carouse, drink and mercilessly bully anyone who gets in their way. Their first target is Maj. Frank Burns (a memorable performance by Robert Duvall), an overly religious and self-righteous man given to blaming others for his mistakes. Hawk and Trap set their sights on him and never let up, and, like its protagonists, "M*A*S*H" proceeds to take no prisoners.
There's no plot in the classic sense. Things happen, the wounded come in waves, and our doctor heroes proceed to mock anything and everything that comes their way. Sutherland and Gould are an amazingly funny team, quoting old movies and dropping into strange characterizations to meet every new challenge, be it recalcitrant regular Army nurse "Hot Lips" O'Houlihan (Sally Kellerman), befuddled CO Col. Henry Blake (Roger Bowen), or a football-crazy general (G. Bowen).
Among their schemes: faking a suicide to give a friend back his self-confidence, blackmailing an officer to save a sick child, and bringing in a ringer to win the football game that makes up the movie's uproarious climax. In between, we get to meet such memorable characters as "Radar" O'Reilly (Gary Burgoff), the almost-psychic corporal, "Painless Pole," (John Schuck) the "best equipped dentist in the Army," and Lt. "Dish" (Jo Ann Pflug). Plus Swamp-mate Duke Forrest (Tom Skerritt) and the ineffectual but well-meaning Father Mulchahy (Rene Auberjonois).
Altman packs the movie with dense, overlapping dialogue. The result is chaotic, frenzied and hilarious. Hollywood would never dare make a movie like this today, in which traditional values are so thoroughly and hilariously trounced; "M*A*S*H" is a truly dangerous and subversive film. Its doctors (and "M*A*SH" itself, by extension) love only honesty, intelligence, freedom... and very dry mar-tin-eyes. With olives! Plus, the occasional nurse. Finally, this classic has the treatment it deserves. This "Five Star Collection" release (on two disks) contains a gorgeous widescreen version of the movie, Altman's commentary, the "Backstory" documentary, two other docus, and a restoration demo. A brilliant film in an excellent package.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as the TV show
Review: This movie was really made poorly. First of all, the sound quality on this DVD is terrible. I had to put subtitles on just so I could understand what they were saying. On top of that there are scenes where everybody is talking over each other. It's very frustrating for the viewer to try and figure out what is going on. As far as the movie goes it's not really a movie. There's no one plot. It's like a whole bunch of TV episodes put together. The TV show is better than this movie in every way. The show really makes you understand the hell these people were going through and you knew they acted goofy because it was the only way to keep their sanity. In this movie you never feel that these doctors are stressed out or even bothered that they're fixing people just so they can go out and get killed. The cast from the show is far superior than the cast in this movie. If you're a fan of the show like me you'll probably want to see this movie but I suggest you rent it. If you're not a fan of the show avoid this movie.
Rating:
Summary: The very best antiwar movie ever made!
Review: MASH was a breakthrough movie on many fronts. It was Roger Altman's personal breakthrough movie after several years apprenticeship in TV and smaller feature film work. It was a breakthrough for the ensemble film format. Yes, there had been successful ensemble films before this, but all were largely dependent on the "All Star Cast" format. MASH represented the first major successful film, both commercially and artistically, that relied on an entirely on a relatively unknown cast. And, finally, MASH broke through as the first major success as an anti Vietnam War vehicle to gain mass appeal. In a way, it marked a major turning point in popular attitudes toward the Vietnam War. Set during the Korean Conflict, MASH tells the story of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. The MASH was an agglomeration of regular Army personnel and drafted civilian doctors unindoctrinated to-and often intellectually antipathetic towards, army practice and procedure and authority. The movie graphically depicts the brutality of war, though it shows no actual war scenes per se. (The only gun fired during the entire movie is when an official shoots a pistol into the air to mark the end of the period during a football game.) What you see is an unending string of dead and horrible wounded soldiers brought to the MASH from the front to be worked on at the hospital. Te constant scenes of battered and maimed bodies in surgery is sufficient enough to convey the horrors of the field of battle and the inherent cruelty and inhumanity of modern warfare. One also sees the toll that is taken on the doctors and staff of the MASH unit itself.
The various mad-cap antics the doctors and staff engage in to blow off steam are hilarious and immensely entertaining yet there is a dark, unsettling edge to the humor. You know that the fact that they are surrounded by insanity of all sorts and inhumanity of all kinds leads even the doctors-so disciplined and value driven in ordinary circumstances-into acts that are ethically dubious to the extreme. It is definitely funny-it's also somewhat sad. The resulted one of the best movies of all time and the very best antiwar movie ever made. This is a 30th anniversary edition that has been restored and contains several retrospective clips as well. The restoration is exceptional and the retrospective stuff is interesting and entertaining as well. On the whole and excellent, value packed package everyone should own!
Rating: 
Summary: A great but insane movie
Review: This is undoubtedly a very funny movie. The story of a disobedient MASH unit at an army field hospital during the Korean War, it can be a perfect companion to Joseph Heller's Catch-22 for it's parody of war with paradoxes and irony. My particular favorite scene is the one were an intimate moment between an army major (Robert Duvall) and a army field nurse (Sally Kellerman) is broadcast live on radio at the base (That is also how the nurse gets the nickname "Hot Lips"). However, some parts of this movie were just a little weird. One particular example is when the base dentist wants to commit suicide. He does so with a black capsule sitting down in a coffin as other friends of his crowd around and say good by to him while the song "Suicide is Painless" is sung. Another is the famous scene where the tent goes up around where "Hot Lips" is taking a shower. Nevertheless, while insanely weird, often stupid and with some graphic surgeries and other "activities" at the hospital, this is still a great movie. The three leads for one thing (Donald Sutherland, Tom Skerritt and Elliott Gould) are hilarious. And the various other supporting characters add to an already colorful mix. Recommended, but not for everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Still a Favorite
Review: I was lucky enough to see this classic when it first came out in 1970. Ironically, I was stationed in Korea at the time! It was a treat to be in the movie theater on the 8th Army base in Seoul Korea and see those opening words "And then, there was Korea!" Predictably, the audience went wild. I guess it's nostalgia, but I still enjoy this movie immensely. The sharp, funny dialogue and the talented cast make this one of the best. The TV series doesn't hold a candle to it.
Rating: 
Summary: I guess you had to be there.
Review: Heresy or not, all I can say is that a large segment of today's population must be comprised of nostalgic, angry ex-hippies, if this film can still glow for so many when examined under modern light. The rampant, idiotic sexism and ill-natured tone of the film is just sickening, not because of any duty to political correctness, but for the simple reason that a jerk is a jerk, no matter what the era(!). And this film really is shockingly ill-willed throughout. Trapper and Hawkeye (not to mention Skeritt's stomach-turning Duke Forrest) have to be among the most repulsive "protagonists" you'll ever see. They aren't just "anti-authority", as the spun marketing would have you believe, they are just complete, utter, cretins. Seriously, before the movie's half over, you'll be HOPING they get shot or hit by a bomb or something. It's beyond belief. This is certainly in contrast to the TV show, which was terrifically good-natured while still managing to portray hellish war conditions, and which I think was light-years superior to this "original". All of the hype aside, this film is just so ignorant and offensive (sexism, racism, the hateful and angry tone, etc.) that I think its main, if not only, fans are primarily those who grew up with the film and are conveniently blinded by nostalgia. Its "popularity" (if it even really exists anymore) will be infathomable to most modern viewers. It makes for ugly, distasteful viewing, on many counts. And it reminded me why just about everyone I grew up with from my generation never looked up to most of our flower-child precursors except with a healthy chunk of disdain. What a shame. Now that I write this review and actually notice this film's cover graphic for the first time instead of paying attention only to the endless lauding by reviewers, I have to admit: who can be surprised by any of this. Blech. Not for my DVD collection, thanks. And not for yours either, unless you grew up revelling in the passive-aggressive anger of the 60's/70's and never learned to let it go. Do yourself a favor and pass (or at the very least, rent first), especially if you loved the TV show. Viewers who think "Dr T and The Women" is the only cinematic reason Altman ever gave to make them want to punch him in the face, just haven't seen this horribly overrated (and just plain horrible) film, yet.
Rating:
Summary: Anti-War Black Comedy Remastered
Review: Altman's funny black comedy set during Korean War is a metaphor for Vietnam war.Innovative style of filmmaking especially with use of sound. DVD version has restored the film's original R-rating and claims to be ucut yet I don't understand what was put back in. Can someone please help me out here?DVD version includes a lot of bonuses. there are at least 3 documentaries including one about real MASH surgeons.
Rating:
Summary: This is not an uncut movie
Review: I loved M*A*S*H the first time I saw it, but this video, which claims to be uncut has left out the "severed carotid artery" scene. Therefore I can only give it 4 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Movie, incorrect tech details
Review: Great edition of a perennial classic comedy. I remember how daring this movie was when it was out in theaters. The extras are very nice. Be warned! The case claims that the movie has Spanish subtitles in the options, it does NOT! A problem for me since I live in Mexico and was looking forward to friends watching it with me.
Rating:
Summary: Robert Altman--Great American?-Hah
Review: I saw M*A*S*H,when it was first released in 1970.
A great movie then,and still today.I bought the VHS tape some years back,and looked forward to the DVD version.Bought it last week,but have not had the time to view it ,let alone open it.NOW I am glad I did not open it.After hearing Robert Altman's
(The Director) comments about this country,and President Bush.How it bothers him so to see all the flags that are being displayed in our country.He feels that he should remain in England,and not come back here.GREAT stay there.We don't need you.You do not need this country,and you sure as hell don't need my money.I will be returning the DVD,to whence it came.
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