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Catch-22

Catch-22

War · Comedy · 1970

A WWII military pilot makes a valiant effort to be certified insane in order to be excused from flying missions. But there's a catch.

Movie details

Catch-22

“The nice thing about war is that the person who kills you really has nothing against you. Personally.”

1970 War · Comedy 2h 1m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.7 / 10

Community rating

A WWII military pilot makes a valiant effort to be certified insane in order to be excused from flying missions. But there's a catch.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Catch-22?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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The Secret War of Harry Frigg

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The Dirty Dozen

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12 American military prisoners in World War II are ordered to infiltrate a well-guarded enemy château and kill the Nazi officers vacationing there. The soldiers, most of whom are facing death sentences for a variety of violent crimes, agree to the mission and the possible commuting of their sentences.

Shout at the Devil

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The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

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Von Ryan's Express

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Mike Nichols

Written by

Buck Henry

Alan Arkin

Alan Arkin

Capt. John Yossarian

Martin Balsam

Martin Balsam

Col. Cathcart

Richard Benjamin

Richard Benjamin

Maj. Danby

Art Garfunkel

Art Garfunkel

Capt. Nately

Jack Gilford

Jack Gilford

Dr. "Doc" Daneeka

Buck Henry

Buck Henry

Lt. Col. Korn

Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart

Maj. Major Major

Court is in session

Put Catch-22 on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.