Definitely Not Vietnam Month opens with one of the greatest films ever to be made that definitely wasn't about the Vietnam War. Robert Altman's 1970 debut M*A*S*H was the tale of the 4077th Army hospital in the Korean - repeat Korean - War. It defied cinematic conventions, with no story arcs, overlapping dialogue, and a cynical attitude to life right from the opening song. The studio didn't expect much, but it was a critical and commercial hit, spawning a long-running sitcom and putting rocket boosters under the careers of not just Altman but also stars Donald Sutherland and Elliott Gould.
Duncan and Rob weren't sure how it had aged, but guest Joe Twyman, who spent three years as a "Fobbit" in Baghdad, argues that it's the most authentic portrayal of life on a military base that he's ever seen.
Next week, Definitely Not Vietnam Month continues with an obscure 1977 film called Star Wars.
","author_name":"Robert Hutton & Duncan Weldon - War Movies Fans"}