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[ updated 05-07-2006 | 24 ]

Aviation content: STAR

Catch-22

Directed by: Mike Nichols

Paramount, USA, 1970, Colour

Starring: Alan Arkin, Martin Balsam, Richard Benjamin, Art Garfunkel, Jack Gilford, Buck Henry, Bob Newhart, Anthony Perkins, Paula Prentiss, Martin Sheen, Jon Voight, Orson Welles, Bob Balaban, Susanne Benton, Norman Fell

Written by: Buck Henry

Pilots: Frank Tallman

This movie version of Joseph Heller's seminal book was received with very mixed reactions, though mostly negative. Reviewers seemed to be disappointed that it failed to capture the full flavour of the book — a tall order for any movie. Taken on its own terms, however, as movies should be, it's intelligent, funny and thought-provoking.

It also rounded up just about every flyable B-25 on the planet for the filming — some 18 aircraft, mainly TB-25Ns (converted B-25Js). Frank Tallman ran a conversion course for the crews. The filmmakers also bought a B-25J hulk in Mexico (XB-HEY) and destroyed it for the crash-on-the-runway scene. This was found at the airfield used as the location — Guaymas, Mexico — which doubled for a Mediterranean USAAF base.

The movie features a mass take-off that the flyers felt was too dangerous and unrealistic, though the filmmakers insisted. Also features a Stinson L-5.

Cameraman John Jordan died when he fell from the TB-25H cameraship (N1203). He was in the rear gunner position, removed his safety strap to get a better shot and fell out. He had previously lost a leg during the filming of 'You Only Live Twice'.

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