 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
M*A*S*H* (1970)
- Review Date: December 4, 2007
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 1970
Common Sense Media says
Rollicking, biting, satirical classic is so 1970.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this classic film is excellent -- and also shows the marks of its time (1970) and the era in which it was set (the Korean War in the 1950s) with considerable sexist, racist, and xenophobic behavior. Hawkeye and Trapper John sexually harass Hoolihan because she disagrees with their free-wheeling behavior. Duke calls a black neurosurgeon a "negro boy" and Hawkeye and Trapper John speak gibberish Japanese. There's also considerable sex and brief nudity, as well as lots of surgery-related blood and gore.
What's the story?
Robert Altman's rollicking war satire gets rolling when newly drafted surgeon "Hawkeye" Pierce (Donald Sutherland) arrives in Korea and immediately sets out to prove he's no military man. He steals a Jeep, kids around with Duke Forrest (Tom Skerritt), and joins forces with fellow surgeon and rebel "Trapper" John McIntyre (Elliott Gould). They make short work of by-the-book officers like Frank Burns (Robert Duvall) and head nurse Margaret "Hot Lips" Hoolihan (Sally Kellerman), mostly by forms of humiliation that would today be considered sexual harassment. In short, they don't let being located in a war zone stop them from having fun.
Is it any good?
It's easy to see why this blockbuster film became such a great TV show. Its series of wacky antics – including the pseudo suicide of a well-endowed dentist and golfing in Japan -- resemble nothing so much as a series of TV shows. There's no plot other than undoing the rigidness on which the military depends.
While this is all fun, it's also likely to be offensive to many viewers. The extreme sexism and sexualization of the female nurses, the homophobic comments about a man who thinks he might be gay, and the condescending attitudes about people of color may be accurate for their time, but are likely to mar some people's enjoyment of the film.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the role of satire in American culture. How is this film a satire of war? What's fun about satire and what's not? What other movies use biting satire to make an important point? Do they do it as well as this movie does?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
M*A*S*H
When my dad first showed this movie to me I loved it. Super funny and the cast is fantastic. An instant classic for sure.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 1 year old
July 4, 2010
AGE
NOT FOR KIDS
I don't recommend having your movie if you are forever, THIS SHOULD BE R for people never watching this.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Great family movie for young teens!
This is a great movie; it's almost a farce of the 'war movies' that glamorized war. There are poignant moments, and elements of graphic war scenes, but a thoughtful 13 yo would love this movie!
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
this classic comedy is not for little kids
this movie is rated PG not R. this old comedy is not for little kid at all though
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment |
| Director: | Robert Altman |
| Cast: | Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Robert Duvall, Sally Kellerman, Tom Skerritt |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 116 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 20, 1970 |
| DVD release date: | September 7, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
