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With the exception of Burns and Houlihan, almost everyone in the camp has an easy-going attitude, and Colonel Blake allows his staff to operate on a level that approaches hedonism at times. I think it makes sense that these men and women, who have to deal with death and despair all day and night while working, are allowed to blow off steam when they can. Hawkeye, Duke, and Trapper John are extremely skilled surgeons - oftentimes succeeding where less talented or less motivated doctors may have failed - and perform their duties with the utmost care and understanding, but when they're off duty, they mostly behave like drunken frat boys. It's an interesting dynamic and I loved watching it unfold.

MASH succeeds on nearly every level and a lot of that success can be attributed to the wonderful work of the fine cast. The three leads are practically perfect, with Sutherland, Gould, and Skerritt playing off each other with the ease of real life best friends. Sutherland is probably the standout, and Hawkeye is definitely the most interesting character, but Gould runs a very close second. Both inhabit their characters to such an extent that it's easy to forget you're watching two men act and that may be the highest praise available. When I get around to the series, it's going to be a very tough act to follow in these two's footsteps.

Duvall, one of the most talented actors of his or any generation, is predictably great, but I would have liked to see more of his character. Burns is such a different kind of doctor and person and, despite him being just an average surgeon and a hypocrite, I was disappointed to see his character sent away at about the halfway point of the film. He provided a perfect foil for Hawkeye and company to torment.

Of the supporting cast, I'd like to highlight two performances: Burghoff's Radar and Auberjonois' Father Mulcahy. Radar is given some terrific lines and moments to shine and I particularly loved his interactions with Colonel Blake. You can tell immediately that Radar has been assisting the Colonel for a long time as he anticipates all his needs and questions, answering them before the Colonel even finishes asking. Burghoff has a fantastic deadpan delivery and had me laughing rather consistently.

I usually have a hard time seeing Auberjonois without thinking of his character on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, but now I might immediately think of Father Mulcahy first when I see him next. Mulcahy is a sweet, gentle man who does his best to care for the spirits and souls of the men and women in his camp, but also understands they don't need to be judged or condemned for their actions. Auberjonois has such an expressive and caring face and he uses it to embody Mulcahy with an instantly likeable charm. A good portion of the script was improvised, and Auberjonois added at least one memorable moment on his own - when Mulcahy blesses a Jeep before some men depart the camp - after reading about a real life chaplain who routinely did the same. It's a small moment, but an effective one. It shows the lengths that Mulcahy will go to protect the people in his charge.

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