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[Kids Say 3 Reviews](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/catch-22#tab-18356c5e-06c3-4dd5-9b0e-95710f618d532) ### Common Sense Media Review  By **[Brian Costello](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/bio/brian-costello)** , based on child development research. [How do we rate?](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/our-mission/about-our-ratings) age 17+ Classic, violent black comedy about the follies of war. ## Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this 1970 adaptation of Joseph Heller's classic satire of warfare and the military presents an unsentimental picture of war. There are several scenes of graphic violence, including a shot of a dying soldier's bloody intestines, plus a man being cut in half by a fighter plane. Soldiers go to… ## Why Age 17+? Language While not constant, soldiers and officers do say "bastard" and "s Sex, Romance & Nudity Soldiers are seen frequenting brothels. There are two instances of full-frontal Violence & Scariness Plentiful scenes of soldiers injured, dead, or dying. A man's stabbing is sh Drinking, Drugs & Smoking Characters smoke cigarettes quite regularly, as was the norm of the era, and one Products & Purchases Not present ## Any Positive Content? Positive Messages War and its accompanying bureaucracy, rather than being glamorized, is scorned a Positive Role Models Yossarian, for all his loud claims of insanity, emerges as one of the few who ke - ### Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this 1970 adaptation of Joseph Heller's classic satire of warfare and the military presents an unsentimental picture of war. There are several scenes of graphic violence, including a shot of a dying soldier's bloody intestines, plus a man being cut in half by a fighter plane. Soldiers go to brothels and there are a couple scenes of nudity. Though dark, the movie includes plenty of black humor, which takes some of the edge off the violence. While not right for every teen, the film provides an excellent opportunity to discuss the harsh realities of warfare along with the film's deeper, timeless message. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly [Family Movie Night emails](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/newsletters) . - ### Language a lot While not constant, soldiers and officers do say "bastard" and "son of a bitch" from time to time. "F--k" is used once, as is the middle finger. **Did you know you can flag iffy content?** Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide. [Get started](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews) Close - ### Sex, Romance & Nudity a lot Soldiers are seen frequenting brothels. There are two instances of full-frontal female nudity, and one of a male's naked backside. **Did you know you can flag iffy content?** Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide. [Get started](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews) Close - ### Violence & Scariness a lot Plentiful scenes of soldiers injured, dead, or dying. A man's stabbing is shown twice in the film. A scene of an injured and dying soldier inside a bomber as Yossarian tries to save his life, is shown repeatedly, and is later revealed to have his side open and bloody, with exposed intestines. A prostitute's body is found on the street after having been thrown out an open window by a character who has raped her. Rape is discussed, but not shown. A pilot in a propeller plane swoops too low and is shown graphically cutting a man in half at the waist with his wing. Shortly after, the pilot commits suicide by flying into the side of a hill. **Did you know you can flag iffy content?** Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide. [Get started](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews) Close - ### Drinking, Drugs & Smoking some Characters smoke cigarettes quite regularly, as was the norm of the era, and one of the main characters is always seen with a pipe. While on leave from the base, the characters are seen drinking wine. **Did you know you can flag iffy content?** Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide. [Get started](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews) Close - ### Positive Messages a little War and its accompanying bureaucracy, rather than being glamorized, is scorned and ridiculed. - ### Positive Role Models very little Yossarian, for all his loud claims of insanity, emerges as one of the few who keeps his sanity and humanity in a world turned topsy-turvy by the ravages of war and the bureaucracy of the military. Other characters stand as examples of the harm that warfare does to people. ## Where to Watch ## Videos and Photos -  Catch-22 ### Catch-22 ## Parent and Kid Reviews [See all](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/catch-22/user-reviews/adult) - [Parents Say (4)](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/catch-22#tab-6385b193-206f-4727-8678-1c92e80b7a130) - [Kids Say (3)](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/catch-22#tab-6385b193-206f-4727-8678-1c92e80b7a131) age 17+ Based on 4 parent reviews ![]() ### ![]() ### [See all 4 parent reviews](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/catch-22/user-reviews/adult) age 15+ Based on 3 kid reviews ![]() ### ![]() ### [See all 3 kid reviews](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/catch-22/user-reviews/child) ## What's the Story? Captain John Yossarian ([Alan Arkin](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Alan%20Arkin)) is trying to end his tour of duty as a bombardier in World War II Italy, but every time he gets closer to reaching the required number of missions, "the brass" raise the number of flight missions needed to achieve this goal. He claims to be crazy and requests that he flies no more missions due to this, but by claiming to be crazy and unable to fly, he shows that he is rational and sane and must fly. Such is the CATCH-22, the no-win situation Yossarian finds himself in as he's mired in warfare and military bureaucracy with his fellow comrades in the absurdities of battle and day-to-day survival. Show more ## Is It Any Good? **Our review:** **Parents say** ( [4 Parent Reviews](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/catch-22/user-reviews/adult) ): **Kids say** ( [3 Kid Reviews](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/catch-22/user-reviews/child) ): The film version of *Catch-22* \-- while firmly rooted in the countercultural tenor of the early 1970's -- stands the test of time almost as brilliantly as the classic 1961 novel. Coming off the success of [*The Graduate*](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-graduate), director [Mike Nichols](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Mike%20Nichols) and screenwriter Buck Henry's next project was an adaptation of Joseph Heller's classic antiwar dark satire. The film boasts an all-star cast (for 1970, anyway) of everyone from Alan Arkin to [Orson Welles](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/orson%20welles), [Bob Newhart](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Bob%20Newhart) to [Martin Sheen](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Martin%20Sheen). Its evergreen comments on the devastation of war, the absurdity of bureaucracy, and the blind greed of those who profit from others' misery hold up even today. *Catch-22* isn't so much a linear plot as it is a collection of instances involving revolving cast of characters responding to war in their own ways. There is Dobbs (played by [Jon Voight](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Jon%20Voight)), who finds the markets and the money to be made in the "opportunity." There is Orr (played by a very young [Bob Balaban](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Bob%20Balaban)), who views his plane crashes as "practice runs" for a future escape. And then, there is Yossarian, who, for all his glib talk and outrageous antics and claims of insanity, emerges as the only character who seems sane surrounded by so much craziness. Show more ## Talk to Your Kids About ... - Families can talk about the term "Catch-22." Since the release of this classic novel by Joseph Heller in 1961, the term is used to describe many situations besides those encountered during war. What are some examples of "Catch-22" in day-to-day life? - As the film's hero, how does Yossarian compare to other heroes in war movies? How is *Catch-22* a different sort of war movie than others you've seen? Do you think it translates well from the book? - How does *Catch-22* use satire to make profound comments on war, bureaucracy, and definitions of sanity? Show more ## Movie Details - **In theaters** : June 24, 1970 - **On DVD or streaming** : May 22, 2001 - **Cast** : [Alan Arkin](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Alan%20Arkin) , [Bob Newhart](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Bob%20Newhart) , [Martin Balsam](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Martin%20Balsam) - **Director** : [Mike Nichols](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Mike%20Nichols) - **Studio** : [Paramount Pictures](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/category/movie/studio/paramount-pictures-29178) - **Genre** : [Classic](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/category/movie/genre/classic-69) - **Run time** : 122 minutes - **MPAA rating** : R - **Last updated** : January 14, 2025 Show more ## Did we miss something on diversity? Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update. Catch-22 ### Suggest an Update Your privacy is important to us. We won't share this comment without your permission. If you chose to provide an email address, it will only be used to contact you about your comment. See our [privacy policy](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/our-mission/privacy-policy) .  ## What to Watch Next  ###  ###  ###  ### [See all](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/movies-based-on-books) ## Movies Based on Books  ###  ###  ###  ### [See all](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/best-family-drama-movies) ## Best Family Drama Movies  ###  ###  ###  ### [See all recommended movie lists](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-lists) Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. 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### Common Sense Media Review age 17+ Classic, violent black comedy about the follies of war. Parents Need to Know Why Age 17+? Any Positive Content? ## Videos and Photos -  - [(4)](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/catch-22#tab-6385b193-206f-4727-8678-1c92e80b7a130) - [(3)](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/catch-22#tab-6385b193-206f-4727-8678-1c92e80b7a131) age 17+ Based on 4 parent reviews ![]() ![]() age 15+ Based on 3 kid reviews ![]() ![]() ## What's the Story? Captain John Yossarian ([Alan Arkin](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Alan%20Arkin)) is trying to end his tour of duty as a bombardier in World War II Italy, but every time he gets closer to reaching the required number of missions, "the brass" raise the number of flight missions needed to achieve this goal. He claims to be crazy and requests that he flies no more missions due to this, but by claiming to be crazy and unable to fly, he shows that he is rational and sane and must fly. Such is the CATCH-22, the no-win situation Yossarian finds himself in as he's mired in warfare and military bureaucracy with his fellow comrades in the absurdities of battle and day-to-day survival. ## Is It Any Good? **Our review:** The film version of *Catch-22* \-- while firmly rooted in the countercultural tenor of the early 1970's -- stands the test of time almost as brilliantly as the classic 1961 novel. Coming off the success of [*The Graduate*](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/the-graduate), director [Mike Nichols](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Mike%20Nichols) and screenwriter Buck Henry's next project was an adaptation of Joseph Heller's classic antiwar dark satire. The film boasts an all-star cast (for 1970, anyway) of everyone from Alan Arkin to [Orson Welles](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/orson%20welles), [Bob Newhart](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Bob%20Newhart) to [Martin Sheen](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Martin%20Sheen). Its evergreen comments on the devastation of war, the absurdity of bureaucracy, and the blind greed of those who profit from others' misery hold up even today. *Catch-22* isn't so much a linear plot as it is a collection of instances involving revolving cast of characters responding to war in their own ways. There is Dobbs (played by [Jon Voight](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Jon%20Voight)), who finds the markets and the money to be made in the "opportunity." There is Orr (played by a very young [Bob Balaban](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Bob%20Balaban)), who views his plane crashes as "practice runs" for a future escape. And then, there is Yossarian, who, for all his glib talk and outrageous antics and claims of insanity, emerges as the only character who seems sane surrounded by so much craziness. ## Talk to Your Kids About ... - Families can talk about the term "Catch-22." Since the release of this classic novel by Joseph Heller in 1961, the term is used to describe many situations besides those encountered during war. What are some examples of "Catch-22" in day-to-day life? - As the film's hero, how does Yossarian compare to other heroes in war movies? How is *Catch-22* a different sort of war movie than others you've seen? Do you think it translates well from the book? - How does *Catch-22* use satire to make profound comments on war, bureaucracy, and definitions of sanity? ## Movie Details - **In theaters** : June 24, 1970 - **On DVD or streaming** : May 22, 2001 - **Cast** : [Alan Arkin](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Alan%20Arkin) , [Bob Newhart](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Bob%20Newhart) , [Martin Balsam](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Martin%20Balsam) - **Director** : [Mike Nichols](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/Mike%20Nichols) - **Studio** : [Paramount Pictures](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/category/movie/studio/paramount-pictures-29178) - **Genre** : [Classic](https://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/category/movie/genre/classic-69) - **Run time** : 122 minutes - **MPAA rating** : R - **Last updated** : January 14, 2025 ## Did we miss something on diversity? Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by