MovieChat Forums > MASH (1970) Discussion > Who were the best/worst in this movie?

Who were the best/worst in this movie?

posted 15 years ago by ExplorerDS6789
11 replies | jump to latest

Who were the best actors in terms of how they played their character, and who were the worst actors in similar terms?

Here are mine:

BEST
Elliott Gould-
Really gave Trapper a gruff, cynical edge, while still remaining likeable.

Sally Kellerman-
Military perfectionist and emotional, she was top notch. However, her performance in the latter half of the film sucked.

Gary Burghoff-
Was given little to work with, but he really pulled it off. His exchanges with Colonel Blake were hilarious, and even though the movie version of Radar is a nasty little man, he's still likeable to a degree.

Robert Duvall-
Great as always. His Frank Burns appears to be a nice guy, but underneath it all, he's a real SOB. He plays it subtly, and I think it worked well.

Jo Ann Pflug-
Greatest screen depiction of a floozy I've ever seen.

Tom Skerritt-
I always wondered why Duke was never on the show.

Rene Auberjonois-
No match for Bill Christopher, but he's still great as the clueless camp priest.

WORST
Donald Sutherland-
he gave Hawkeye only one emotion. He spoke deadpan. The character was supposed to have a personality. Alan Alda is worlds better than Donald. Just think, James Garner was originally going to play Hawkeye, but Sutherland lobbied hard for the role... only to louse it up.

Roger Bowen-
Ordinarily Roger is a good character actor, but he was completely lifeless as Henry. Much like Sutherland's Hawkeye, Roger gave little energy or spirit to his character, making him out to be a reserved, withdrawn doofus with no real purpose in the film, except that the 4077th needs a commanding officer.

Whoever played the "How do you want your steak cooked" nurse

David Arkin- Why was he even in this movie? His character did nothing but get in the way or get shoved aside.

Michael Murphy- Why was he even in this movie? He didn't contribute anything either.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] popeye9000 14 years ago

I also disagree that Sutherland was one of the worst. I'd place him up at the top, equal with Gould.

I never did warm to the TV show and never really thought much of Alda as an actor.

[–] Paul_Ke 14 years ago

I disagree with your Donald Sutherland stance too. He had plenty of personality. For example, I love how passionately he tells off Hotlips for being a "regular army clown." That's not deadpan. Donald Sutherland is a wonderful actor, and he's great in this movie. Don't get me wrong, I love Alan Alda too. I don't think he's better or worse than Donald Sutherland, just different...just as the movie and TV show are so different--different medium, different time and culture, different attitude. Each requires a different kind of protrayal of Hawkeye.

[–] shieldsdraeger 8 years ago

Michael Murphy. He was an example of the situational ethics(I know that's a dirty word
for some people) necessary in that kind of situation. True the hospital is financed by
a whore house, but a least he's trying to help the common people.

David Arkin. His Volmer is another very officious, by the book, incompetent being made
fun of. Radar is the more effective aide for Col. Blake.

Roger Bowen. He seems at times to be out to lunch, but he's really quite competent. He
knows what needs to be done and doesn't allow himself to be hamstrung by regs.

[–] freebird1987 8 years ago

How is Dish a floozy? She only cheated on her husband once with Painless.

I thought the "How do you want your steak cooked" nurse was funny.

[–] ExplorerDS6789 8 years ago

How is Dish a floozy? She only cheated on her husband once with Painless.

Oh, I don't know, I'm thinking she and Hawkeye may have been knocking boots once or twice.

I thought the "How do you want your steak cooked" nurse was funny.

But another take wouldn't have hurt.

[–] freebird1987 8 years ago

Oh, I don't know, I'm thinking she and Hawkeye may have been knocking boots once or twice.

I think she only almost slept with Hawkeye.

[–] ExplorerDS6789 8 years ago

I think she only almost slept with Hawkeye.

True, but I think they rounded second base a time or two, like when Ho-Jon interrupts them to tell Hawkeye that Trapper arrived.

[–] freebird1987 8 years ago

Elliot Gould did an amazing job as Trapper. I wish Wayne Rogers' portrayal of Trapper was more similar to Elliot Gould's.

As for David Arkin and Michael Murphy, I believe they're in the movie because they're both really good friends of Robert Altman.

[–] ExplorerDS6789 8 years ago

Elliot Gould did an amazing job as Trapper.

I'll say. I think he and Sally Kellerman were the best performers in the movie. Kellerman got a nomination, I wonder why Gould didn't.

I wish Wayne Rogers' portrayal of Trapper was more similar to Elliot Gould's.

Unfortunately Rogers was quickly reduced to Alan's shadow and echo.

As for David Arkin and Michael Murphy, I believe they're in the movie because they're both really good friends of Robert Altman.

Yeah, I recall seeing Arkin in several other Altman productions.

[–] freebird1987 8 years ago

Yeah, I recall seeing Arkin in several other Altman productions.

MASH, Nashville, All The Presidents Men, and Popeye.