Catch-22 (miniseries)

Catch-22 is a satirical dark comedy miniseries based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Joseph Heller. It premiered on May 17, 2019, on Hulu in the United States. The series stars Christopher Abbott, Kyle Chandler, Hugh Laurie, and George Clooney, who is also an executive producer alongside Grant Heslov, Luke Davies, David Michôd, Richard Brown, Steve Golin, and Ellen Kuras. The series was written by Davies and Michôd and directed by Clooney, Heslov, and Kuras, with each directing two episodes.

Catch-22
Genre
Based onCatch-22
by Joseph Heller
Developed by
Written by
  • Luke Davies
  • David Michôd
Directed by
Starring
Composers
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Italy
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes6 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • George Clooney
  • Grant Heslov
  • Luke Davies
  • David Michôd
  • Richard Brown
  • Steve Golin
  • Ellen Kuras
CinematographyMartin Ruhe
Running time41–46 minutes
Production companies
Release
Original network
Original releaseMay 17, 2019 (2019-05-17)
External links
Website

Premise

John Yossarian (Christopher Abbott) is a United States Army Air Forces bombardier in World War II, furious that thousands of people are trying to kill him and that his own army keeps increasing the number of missions he must fly. He is trapped by the bureaucratic rule Catch-22, which considers a willingness to fly dangerous combat missions to be insane, yet a request to be relieved of duty on the grounds of insanity to be the process of a rational mind, so any such request must be denied.[2]

He chose bombardier hoping the war would finish before his lengthy training but now sits exposed in the nose of a B-25 dropping bombs on strangers who are trying to kill him, unless he is avoiding flying by feigning illness, sabotaging his intercom, self-inflicted illness, or clandestinely moving the bomb line so it appears their target has already been captured.

The events occur in the Mediterranean theatre of World War II while the fictional 256th US Army Air Squadron is based on the (fictionalized) island of Pianosa, in the Mediterranean Sea, and conducting bombing raids over heavily defended fascist controlled Italy. Events are largely on base and in the air; there are later events in Italy and early scenes of basic training in the US.

Cast and characters

Starring

Also starring

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byTeleplay byOriginal release date
1"Episode 1"Grant HeslovLuke Davies & David MichôdMay 17, 2019 (2019-05-17)
2"Episode 2"Ellen KurasLuke Davies & David MichôdMay 17, 2019 (2019-05-17)
3"Episode 3"Ellen KurasLuke Davies & David MichôdMay 17, 2019 (2019-05-17)
4"Episode 4"George ClooneyLuke Davies & David MichôdMay 17, 2019 (2019-05-17)
5"Episode 5"Grant HeslovLuke Davies & David MichôdMay 17, 2019 (2019-05-17)
6"Episode 6"George ClooneyLuke Davies & David MichôdMay 17, 2019 (2019-05-17)

Production

Development

Around 2014, producer Richard Brown, writer Luke Davies and writer-director David Michôd discussed properties that they would like to tackle in limited series format similar to True Detective, which Brown had just executive produced. Davies brought up Heller's novel, which the trio agreed would benefit from a longer treatment than the two hours of Mike Nichols' 1970 feature film. The screen rights to the novel were held by Paramount Television where Anonymous Content had a deal. Davies and Michôd co-wrote the adaptation, which Brown developed at Anonymous. Michôd was originally set to direct until he became unavailable as a long-gestating feature film of his moved forward in production. The producers asked George Clooney to direct. He, along with his producing partner and frequent collaborator Grant Heslov, came on board as directors and executive producers.[3]

On November 16, 2017, the production was announced.[4][5] On January 12, 2018, it was announced that Hulu was in negotiations for the series[6] and two days later it was confirmed that the production had been given a six episode order.[3][7][8] On March 16, 2018, it was announced that Ellen Kuras was joining Clooney and Heslov in directing. They each directed two episodes, and Kuras also served as an executive producer.[9] On May 7, 2018, it was announced that Italy's Sky Italia was joining the production as a co-producer.[10][11]

Casting

Alongside the series order announcement, it was reported that in addition to directing the series George Clooney had been cast in the role of Colonel Cathcart.[4] On March 9, 2018, it was announced that Christopher Abbott had been cast in the lead role of John Yossarian.[12][13][14][15] On April 3, 2018, it was announced that Hugh Laurie had joined the main cast in the role of Major de Coverley.[16][17] On April 13, 2018, it was announced that Clooney would no longer be playing the role of Colonel Cathcart and would instead assume the smaller supporting role of Major, (later Colonel and eventually General), Scheisskopf. It was simultaneously announced that Kyle Chandler would be replacing him in the role of Cathcart.[18] On May 3, 2018, it was reported that Daniel David Stewart, Austin Stowell, Rafi Gavron, Graham Patrick Martin, Pico Alexander, Jon Rudnitsky, Gerran Howell, and Lewis Pullman had joined the supporting cast as members of the "Merry Band."[19] A few days later, it was announced that Tessa Ferrer and Jay Paulson had been cast as Nurse Duckett and The Chaplain, respectively.[20] Towards the end of the month, it was reported that Giancarlo Giannini had been cast in the role of Marcello.[21] On June 13, 2018, it was announced that Harrison Osterfield had been cast in the role of Snowden.[22] On July 9, 2018, it was reported that Julie Ann Emery had been cast in the recurring role of Marion Scheisskopf.[23]

Filming

Principal photography was scheduled to commence at the end of May 2018 in Sardinia and Viterbo in Italy.[10][24] On July 10, 2018, George Clooney was struck by a car while riding a motorcycle to the set of the series. He was taken to a hospital in Olbia where he was released later that same day.[25][26] Filming for the series concluded on September 4, 2018, in Santa Teresa Gallura, Italy.[27][28]

Aircraft

Four original aircraft were sourced for the filming of the miniseries: two North American B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain military transport, and a Junkers Ju 52 transport.[29]

  • B-25J Mitchell – 44-30423 (N3675G) "Photo Fanny," manufactured in the United States by North American Aviation. Sourced from Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, California, USA. Portrayed in the miniseries as the fictional "Fly Me Hight!"[29]
  • B-25J Mitchell – 45-8898 (N898BW) "Axis Nightmare," manufactured in the United States by North American Aviation. Sourced from Tri-State Warbird Museum in Batavia, Ohio, USA.[29]
  • C-47A Skytrain – 42-100884 (TS423/N147DC) "Mayfly," manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company in the United States. Sources from Aces High in North Weald, England.[29]
  • Ju 52/3m – T.2B-212 (F-AZJU), manufactured by Junkers in Germany. Sourced from Jean-Baptiste Salis, in La Ferte-Alais, France.[29]

By comparison, the 1970 film adaptation of Catch-22 featured 18 original B-25 Mitchells. Seventeen were in flying condition and one non-flyable example was destroyed in the filming of the crash landing scene. Fifteen of the 18 bombers used in that film remain intact to this day.[30]

Release

Marketing

On December 19, 2018, a series of images from the series were released.[31] On February 11, 2019, the first teaser for the series was released.[32] The series premiered on May 17, 2019.[33]

Distribution

In the United Kingdom, the series aired on Channel 4.[10] In France, it aired on Canal+.[34] In Australia, it was streamed on Stan. In Canada, it was streamed on Citytv Now.[35]

Reception

At the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 87% based on 68 reviews, with an average rating of 7.32/10. The website's critical consensus states, "Though not quite as sharp as Joseph Heller's seminal novel, Catch-22's handsomely rendered, hilariously horrifying exploration of war still soars thanks to its stellar cast and reverent adherence to its source material."[36] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 70 out of 100, based on 32 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[37]

Accolades
Ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
American Society of Cinematographers Awards Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Motion Picture, Miniseries or Pilot Made for Television Martin Ruhe (for "Episode 5") Nominated [38]
Art Directors Guild Awards Television Movie or Limited Series David Gropman Nominated [39]
Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Limited Series Catch-22 Nominated [40]
Best Actor in a Limited Series or Television Movie Christopher Abbott Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Television Movie George Clooney Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Limited Series or Television Film Catch-22 Nominated [41]
Best Actor – Limited Series or Television Film Christopher Abbott Nominated
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special Jerry Ross, Doug Mountain, Byron Wilson, Chris Assells, Jeff Fuller, Michael Alexander, Clayton Weber, Catherine Harper and Catherine Rose (for "Episode 1") Nominated [42]
Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role Matt Kasmir, Brian Connor, Dan Charbit, Matthew Wheelon Hunt, Alun Cummins, Gavin Harrison, Giovanni Casadei, Remi Martin and Peter Farkas (for "Episode 4") Nominated

See also

References
  1. "Harry & Rupert Gregson-Williams Team Up to Score Hulu's 'Catch-22'". Film Music Reporter. February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  2. Rice, Lynette (January 14, 2018). "George Clooney will star in and produce 'Catch-22' for Hulu". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  3. Andreeva, Nellie (January 14, 2018). "Hulu Nabs 'Catch-22' Limited Series Starring George Clooney From Anonymous Content & Paramount TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  4. Petski, Denise (January 14, 2018). "George Clooney To Star In, Direct 'Catch-22' Limited Series For Paramount TV & Anonymous Content". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  5. Mitovich, Matt Webb (November 16, 2017). "George Clooney to Star in Catch-22 Limited Series Adaptation". TVLine. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  6. Goldberg, Lesley (January 14, 2018). "George Clooney's 'Catch-22' Lands at Hulu With Series Pickup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  7. Levin, Gary (January 14, 2018). "George Clooney is in a 'Catch-22' on Hulu (and now you can watch 'ER' there, too)". USA Today. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  8. Kreps, Daniel (January 14, 2018). "George Clooney to Lead 'Catch-22' Series for Hulu". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  9. Andreeva, Nellie (March 16, 2018). "'Catch-22': Ellen Kuras Boards George Clooney's Hulu Limited Series As Director". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  10. Vivarelli, Nick (May 7, 2018). "Sky Italia, Britain's Channel 4 Board George Clooney's TV Adaptation of 'Catch-22'". Variety. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  11. White, Peter (May 7, 2018). "UK's Channel 4 & Sky Italia Board George Clooney's 'Catch-22' After Deal With Paramount Television". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  12. Andreeva, Nellie (March 9, 2018). "'Catch-22': Christopher Abbott To Star As Yossarian In George Clooney's Hulu Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  13. Otterson, Joe (March 9, 2018). "Christopher Abbott to Star in George Clooney's 'Catch-22' Series at Hulu". Variety. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  14. Boucher, Ashley (March 9, 2018). "George Clooney's 'Catch-22' on Hulu Casts Christopher Abbott As Lead". TheWrap. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  15. Goldberg, Lesley (March 9, 2018). "Hulu's 'Catch-22' Enlists 'Girls' Grad to Star Opposite George Clooney". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  16. Holloway, Daniel (April 3, 2018). "Hugh Laurie Joins George Clooney in 'Catch-22'". Variety. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  17. Andreeva, Nellie (April 3, 2018). "'Catch-22': Hugh Laurie To Co-Star In George Clooney's Hulu Limited Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  18. Andreeva, Nellie (April 13, 2018). "'Catch-22': Kyle Chandler To Star In Hulu Series As George Clooney Switches Roles". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  19. Petski, Denise (May 3, 2018). "'Catch-22': George Clooney's Hulu Limited Series Casts Its Merry Band". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  20. Petski, Denise (May 8, 2018). "'Catch-22': Tessa Ferrer & Jay Paulson Cast In George Clooney's Hulu Limited Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  21. Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (May 21, 2018). "'Catch-22': Giancarlo Giannini To Co-Star In George Clooney's Hulu Limited Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  22. Petski, Denise (June 13, 2018). "'Catch-22' Casts Harrison Osterfield; Noel Fisher Heads To 'Castle Rock'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
  23. Petski, Denise (July 9, 2018). "'Catch-22': Julie Ann Emery Set To Recur In George Clooney's Hulu Limited Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  24. Jarvey, Natalie (April 25, 2018). "Hulu Beyond 'Handmaid's Tale': Execs and Stars on a Promising Yet Uncertain Future". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  25. Messia, Hada; Delgrossi, Sara (July 10, 2018). "George Clooney involved in scooter accident in Italy". CNN. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  26. Tartaglione, Nancy (July 10, 2018). "George Clooney Suffers Minor Injury In Bike Crash Near Italian Set Of 'Catch-22'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  27. Russian, Ale (September 4, 2018). "George Clooney Is All Smiles as He Wraps Filming in Italy After Scary Scooter Crash". People. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  28. Hein, Michael (September 4, 2018). "George Clooney Celebrates Filming Wrap in Italy a Month After Scooter Crash". Pop Culture. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  29. "Catch-22 Remake - Warbirds Over Sardinia!". Warbirds News. June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  30. "North American B-25J-20NC (TB-25N) Mitchell Carol Jean". NASM. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  31. Petski, Denise (December 19, 2018). "'Catch-22': George Clooney's Hulu Limited Series – First Photos". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  32. Goldberg, Lesley (February 11, 2019). "'Catch-22': Hulu Unveils First Look at George Clooney-Kyle Chandler Limited Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  33. Malone, Michael (February 13, 2019). "George Clooney 'Catch-22' Begins on Hulu May 17". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  34. Wiseman, Andreas (July 30, 2018). "Canal+ Scores French Rights To George Clooney's 'Catch 22' Series From Paramount". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  35. "There's Only No Way Out. Catch-22 Premieres May 18, Streaming Exclusively on Citytv Now" (Press release). Toronto: Rogers Media. April 29, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  36. "Catch-22: Miniseries (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  37. "Catch-22 (2019)". Metacritic. CBS. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  38. McNary, Dave (November 25, 2019). "'Legion' Leads TV Nominations for American Society of Cinematographers Awards". Variety. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  39. Giardina, Carolyn (February 1, 2019). "'Parasite,' 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' Win Art Directors Guild Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  40. "Critics' Choice Awards 2020: Fleabag, Watchmen, When They See Us, Unbelievable Among TV Nominees". TVLine. December 8, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  41. "Golden Globes: Full List of Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  42. "Catch-22". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
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