Not nearly as good as the novel, but it did have its moments. Alan Arkin was really good in it. The first half of the film was stronger and funnier than the second half of the film. I would recommend reading the novel over seeing the movie. But if you've read the novel it's worthwhile seeing the movie once.

Catch-22, the book, doesn't really tell a straightforward linear story. Really, it's based on jokes, references, repetition and paradoxes. So adapting it into a movie required a lot of imagination, and in fact the movie starts at the end, with Yossarian getting stabbed. Yossarian really is crazy, and so is everyone else in the movie, but he can't get shipped home, because catch-22 says he must be sane. The movie runs through flashback after flashback until it gets back to the beginning, which is really the end, only now you understand what the hell is going on. The cast is superb, and the direction by Mike Nichols, is highly effective. Watch for the many tracking shots, which I suppose most commenters will disregard. Highly recommended.

Though it might seem very dated and a little confusing, the message about the insanity of war is every bit as urgent today as ever. It has an all-star cast with lots of dark chuckles.

1970 A DARK comedy about war and the futility of it. The movie is not as good as the 1970 MASH movie but has some good moments. But I found it rather a strange story the way it was edited and telling the story . Some confusing twists and a poor ending. Like the director got tired of making the movie and abruptly ended the movie rather dumbly.

Unlike some other posters, I think this movie has held up remarkably well over the years. It's an entertaining adaptation of a classic novel, featuring an amazing cast of Hollywood's finest character actors.

The movie does not do the book justice .... nice try but a disappointment.

This is one of those "Emperor's New Clothes" movies. Say you hated it, and you're instantly judged as being too shallow and stupid to 'get it', because it's "mesmerizing" and "brilliant" and a classic. Well, maybe. I suspect most of the people who fell in love with Catch-22 in 1970 were enthralled with the idea of a 'censored' movie made from a banned book (ooo... I'm so hip and enlightened!). And now, almost half a century later they're shaking their canes at the philistines who don't know a good film when they see it. By all means borrow this book from the library. It'll be a good reminder that you should make up your own mind, and not fall for the ratings game.

This film does not stand the test of time; the book does.

what's not to like about this wonderful movie, good script, great cast, superb cinematography and direction, with celebrated scenes you're not likely to soon forget, for instance, Luciana crossing the street to Strauss' "Zarathustra" - four if not five stars

I try to watch all the movies that have been acclaimed for good work this one was a very slow WALK to China that ultimately never arrived at the destination proclaim-ed! AWFUL! See Young Lions though with Brando AWESOME!