M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television
Brimming with clips and interviews, M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television offers a look back at the beloved television series which aired from 1972 to 1983, far outlasting the length of the war in which the sitcom about a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital was set. So iconic, many today forget M*A*S*H, inspired by Richard Hooker's 1968 novel, was a movie before a TV-series (which the documentary touches on briefly).
More celebration than investigation, director John Scheinfeld's documentary covers the creation of the series, it's casting, balancing the show's humor with the harsh realities of its setting, the show's early struggles to find an audience, its core cast (both original and those brought in as replacements over the show's run), and the show's attempt to push the boundaries of what a television show could do.
Along with numerous clips highlighting the show's style and characters, the documentary also includes a collection of both new and archival interviews from the likes of executive producers Larry Gelbart and Gene Reynolds, along with stars Alan Alda, Gary Burghoff, William Christopher, Jamie Farr, Mike Farrell, Wayne Rogers, McLean Stevenson, Loretta Swit, and others.
If there's not much new in terms of new insight or revelation, and the show's largely-forgotten spinoff AfterMASH isn't mentioned at all, there's still plenty of classic moments and discussion about the show's legacy collected in one spot for fans. The Blu-ray release of the film also includes several short special features further highlighting specific characters, the show's final episode, and its legacy.
- Title: M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television
- IMDb: link
