Catch-22

Series 1 - Episode 1

Review

by Alison Graham

Captain John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott) has had enough of flying missions during the Second World War, he can’t take any more of the danger and the madness. After frequent thwarted attempts to claim illness, he decides there is only one way out, to fake insanity. But there’s a catch. Catch-22 to be exact. “That’s some catch, that Catch-22,” he marvels at the medic who’s explains its complexities.

It’s probably the best known line in Joseph Heller’s magnificent satire that features an array of eye-popping characters, including the brutal, parade-obsessed Lieutenant Scheisskopf, played with gimlet-eyed fury by George Clooney (one of Catch-22’s executive producers).

Heller’s novel has been filmed, not successfully, in the past, but this version is sharp and smart (the combat sequences are vivid and terrifying) and Abbott is an excellent Yossarian – a clever, frightened man baffled and angered by the pointlessness of what he is asked to do.

Summary

Comedy drama based on Joseph Heller's seminal anti-war novel, telling the story of US Air Force bombardier Yossarian, who soon realises the real enemy are the military bureaucrats who keep increasing the number of missions he must fly. Christopher Abbott stars, with Kyle Chandler, Hugh Laurie, Tessa Ferrer and George Clooney, who also acts as executive producer and director on a couple of episodes.

Cast & Crew

Yossarian Christopher Abbott

Scheisskopf George Clooney

Colonel Cathcart Kyle Chandler

Major de Coverley Hugh Laurie

Nurse Duckett Tessa Ferrer

Milo Daniel David Stewart

Aarfy Rafi Gavron

Orr Graham Patrick Martin

Major Major Lewis Pullman

Nately Austin Stowell

Clevinger Pico Alexander

McWatt Jon Rudnitsky

Kid Sampson Gerran Howell

Doc Daneeka Grant Heslov

Lt Colonel Korn Kevin J O'Connor

Marion Scheisskopf Julie Ann Emery

Chaplain Tappman Jay Paulson

Dunbar Josh Bolt

Peele Ian Toner

Mudd Freddie Watkins

Crosby Giacomo Rocchini

Director Grant Heslov

Dramatised By Luke Davies

Dramatised By David Michod

Writer Joseph Heller

Drama

Full Episode Guide

Meet the cast of Catch-22

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Accessibility Links

Series 1 - Episode 1

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Meet the cast of Catch-22

When is Channel 4's Catch-22 starring George Clooney on TV?

How does Channel 4's Catch-22 differ from the novel?

13 books you need to read before they become TV series and movies in 2019

Channel 4 to air George Clooney’s Catch-22 TV adaptation in 2019

George Clooney returning to TV in Catch-22 adaptation

Catch-22

Series 1 - Episode 1

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Meet the cast of Catch-22

When is Channel 4's Catch-22 starring George Clooney on TV?

How does Channel 4's Catch-22 differ from the novel?

13 books you need to read before they become TV series and movies in 2019

Channel 4 to air George Clooney’s Catch-22 TV adaptation in 2019

George Clooney returning to TV in Catch-22 adaptation

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