I still don't have watched it, despite Paula Prentiss featuring the cast, because I want to read the prized J. Heller novel first.
Has anybody read it ?
Yes - it's brilliant. it isn't an exact translation - what film is? - but you can enjoy both, in either order. Perhaps film-book-film. The second viewing will be clearer once you've read the much more in-depth escapades of the many wonderful characters, but there's a great deal to enjoy in the film as well. Arkin was perfectly cast.
I still don't have watched it, despite Paula Prentiss featuring the cast, because I want to read the prized J. Heller novel first.
Has anybody read it ?
Yes - it's brilliant. it isn't an exact translation - what film is? - but you can enjoy both, in either order. Perhaps film-book-film. The second viewing will be clearer once you've read the much more in-depth escapades of the many wonderful characters, but there's a great deal to enjoy in the film as well. Arkin was perfectly cast.
Thank you ! So far everybody who has read it has enjoyed it very much.
But the reason I want to read it first is only not to be "prisoner" of the cast. I always find distracting when I read a book knowing both the actors AND the characters they play. That's the reason I'm eventually reading right now THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV : to enjoy (or not) at last Richard Brooks' movie and to enjoy (or "no not" ) at last Jean Simmons in it !
This must be one of the very, very few movies starring Jean Simmons I haven't watched yet !
Both the movie and book are brilliant. The movie didn't try to be the book. Nichols knew it had to be cinematic. I love them both. As a side note, I met Heller when he was speaking at the University of Oklahoma. My favorite professor was escorting him around campus, and he invited me to have lunch with them. Heller was wonderful.
Maj. Major Major Major : Sergeant, from now on, I don't want anyone to come in and see me while I'm in my office. Is that clear? First Sgt. Towser : Yes, sir. What do I say to people who want to come in and see you while you're in your office? Maj. Major Major Major : Tell them I'm in and ask them to wait. First Sgt. Towser : For how long? Maj. Major Major Major : Until I've left. First Sgt. Towser : And then what do I do with them? Maj. Major Major Major : I don't care. First Sgt. Towser : May I send people in to see you after you've left? Maj. Major Major Major : Yes.
) at last Jean Simmons in it ! 
