It has been only a few minutes since I turned off my television after having watched “Goodbye, Farewell, Amen”, the last episode of M.A.S.H. And even though I have watched this movie previously, on at least three other occasions, I found myself weeping as much, if not more, upon this viewing as before. Perhaps this is because it has been so long since the last episode first aired, and even though the men and women of the 4077th were simply characters on the screen, I miss them. And perhaps I miss them more now than before because one of the television channels here in Canada, “Prime”, has just finished running the M.A.S.H. series daily.

“Goodbye, Farewell, Amen” is the two and a half hour long conclusion to M.A.S.H., which originally aired for 10 seasons, five times as long as the Korean war, the war around which the series was set. The movie is set during the final few days of the Korean war. The movie takes us through the truce talks, to the time when the main characters must say their last goodbyes.

For me, watching this last episode of M.A.S.H. could be compared to saying goodbye to a friend. Even though they were but characters on a screen, we all got to know these characters, we learnt from them, laughed with them, and cried with them. We were allowed into their world once a week, and were able to feel their joys, and their heartbreaks. Even though they were but characters on a screen, they became our friends.

Much of this movie is broken into smaller storylines, each one focusing on a different character from the series”

Hawkeye (Alan Alda)
The opening of the movie sees “Hawkeye” undergoing psychiatric care. It takes much prodding from the doctor, Sidney Freedman, before they are able to get to the root of the problem: an incident that took place on a bus as the group were returning from a day trip to a nearby beach. Throughout the remainder of the movie, we see Hawkeye return to base, at first feeling inadequate in his roll as a surgeon.

B.J. (Mike Farrell)
It is at this time, while Hawkeye is undergoing treatment at a psychiatric unit, that truce talks start once again. Also during this time, B.J.receives orders allowing him to return to the States. In leaving immediately, he will be able to make it home in time to be a part of Erin, his daughter’s first birthday. And while his departure is quick, not allowing him to say goodbye to Hawkeye, his best friend, the man that kept him sane while he was serving his time in Korea, he is sent back due to a mix up with the orders.

Charles (David Ogden Stiers)
With the talk of truce, the characters of the 4077th begin to make plans for their future. Charles, never happy unless his place is at the top, applies for a prominent position at Boston Mercy, the finest hospital in Massachuettes. At first, he fears he will miss this opportunity because another doctor has also applied, but later in the movie he is is thrilled to learn that he has been chosen. However, he also learns that he got the position based on a telegram sent by Margaret to a close family friend. Instead of being thankful, Charles is resentful of Margaret’s meddling.

While out walking one morning, Charles comes across a band of musicians who surrender to him. Upon hearing their abilities, Charles spends much of his free time working with the group, trying to hone their talents in classical music. Later, after the men have been taken to a P.O.W. camp, we learn that these band members were killed while in the back of a truck. It is at this time that Charles declares that while music was once his solace, he will never been able to listen to it again. It took many years, but the character of Charles learnt the values of compassion and humility.

Klinger (Jamie Farr)
Throughout this movie, Klinger spends much of the time trying to help Soon-Lee, a Korean woman who first arrived at the 4077th after she has been accused of shooting offences. It takes her a while to convince Max that she is innocent, that instead, she is searching for her family. While trying to help her find her family, Max and Soon-Lee fall in love, and are later married.

Father Mulcahy (William Christopher)
During some heavy shelling around camp, the Father risks his life to free some P.O.W.’s who are locked in a makeshift prison in plain view. When a shell goes off too close to him, Father Mulcahy is left almost deaf in both ears. Not wishing to be sent home, he asks B.J. not to tell anyone of the problems. Although soon after the incident we see Father Mulcahy questioning God’s purpose, we later learn that after the war, he will focus his career on helping the deaf.

Margaret Houlihan (Loretta Swit)
In wanting to please her father, Margaret spends much of the movie preparing for jobs in different parts of the world. At first, she learns that her father has set up a position for her in Korea, and later, in Belgium. Finally, Margaret decides for herself, deciding upon a nursing job in the States.

Colonel Potter (Harry Morgan)
Potter’s main role’s in the final few days before peace is to keep the 4077th running as smoothly as it had before. But this is hampered when a tank is driven into camp. This causes a problem when enemy gunmen attempt to destroy the tank, putting the lives of all at the hospital in jeopardy. Potter also has to organise the final two bug-outs for the camp.

Movie Highlights:

This movie is definitely one that is emotionally charged. During so much of the movie, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I was happy for these characters that they were finally able to go home, see their families once again, but saddened that this came at the expense of not being able to see one another again, at least not for a while.

The characters in this final episode remained true to their characteristics displayed throughout the earlier episodes. We see Hawkeye true to his comedic form, even while receive psychiatric help. And we see his moments of true compassion and feeling. We witness B.J.’s joy of being sent home, able to be reunited with his family once again. And we see his total disappointment at being sent back to the 4077th. We see Margaret listening to the advice of her father in making decisions on her future. And we see the strong willed Margaret who finally decides to do what SHE wants to do. We see the arrogant Charles, never willing to accept help from others. And we see his compassionate side. We see Farther Mulcahy’s commitment to the children of the orphanage close to the 4077th. And we see his questioning of his place in Korea and in the church. We see Potter in charge of his troops. And we see him allowing his wife to take charge for a while. We see Klinger’s excitement to be out of the army. And we see him decide to stay in Korea out of love for Soon-Lee.

The movie is filled with poignant scenes, scenes that really touched me, scenes that I will always associate with this movie. None are as touching as the final goodbyes between Hawkeye and Margaret, and then Hawkeye and B.J.. And true to M*A*S*H form, even these moments are filled with good humour.

Not only is the movie much longer than the original series episodes, but the overall production quality seems to be improved also. The best example of this is when the troops return to the original site of the 4077th, after having relocated to a new position. After finding the camp still smoking after fire as swept through the area, the camera pans around slowly, allowing viewers to see the reaction by a number of the characters. This scene was haunting in its reality, the expressions on the faces of those involved.

The movie is a fitting farewell to the characters, and we are even given an insight as to the futures of the men and women of the 4077th. This comes during the final dinner scene. It is at this time that Colonel Potter asks the remainder of the characters to tell everyone what their future plans include. This gave a good feeling of closure to the movie.

This is a must see movie for fans of the long running series. It is well produced, well written, and true to the earlier episodes.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older