The original voices behind creations often despair when their work takes on a new life that strays from their vision. This was the case with the creator of “M*A*S*H,” as the transition from book to screen saw significant shifts in tone and character interpretation—changes that did not sit well with the original author.
Robert Altman, the director who crafted the film adaptation of “M*A*S*H,” held reservations about the television series that followed. His issue lay in the perceived trivialization of themes he valued highly in his cinematic piece. Likewise, Richard Hooker, the pen name of H. Richard Hornberger, who authored the book, shared a similar disillusionment with the series, particularly with the characterization of Hawkeye Pierce by actor Alan Alda.
As recorded in Hornberger’s obituary by the The New York Times, his son William Hornberger conveyed his father’s dissatisfaction:
”He liked the movie because he thought it followed his original intent very closely. But my father was a political conservative, and he did not like the liberal tendencies that Alan Alda portrayed Hawkeye Pierce as having. My father didn’t write an anti-war book. It was a humorous account of his work, with serious parts thrown in about the awful kind of work it was, and how difficult and challenging it was.”
Admirers of the film’s sardonic stance might not resonate as much with the TV series’ lighter and more forthrightly anti-war narrative. The show saw Gary Burghoff revisiting his role as Ensign Walter Eugene “Radar” O’Reilly from the movie, yet even he presented a Radar quite distinct from his original portrayal. Donald Sutherland’s Hawkeye, which was more aligned with Hooker’s depiction, was eschewed in favor of Alda’s representation, featuring a significant lean towards social and political progressivism.
FAQ: M*A*S*H – Differences Between Book, Film, and TV Show
- Did the original author of M*A*S*H appreciate the film adaptation?
Yes, H. Richard Hornberger approved of the film adaptation as he felt it closely matched his original intention. - What were the main contentions of the author with the TV series?
The author disagreed with the liberal portrayal of Hawkeye Pierce and the series’ anti-war tone, which he believed diverged from the book’s humorous yet serious recount of his experiences as a surgeon. - Who from the movie cast appeared in the TV series?
Gary Burghoff, who played Radar, was the only actor to reprise his role from the film to the series. - How did the character of Hawkeye differ between the book, film, and series?
The book’s Hawkeye was not explicitly anti-war; the film retained that nuance, but the series gave Hawkeye a more socially and politically progressive angle that did not align with the author’s conservative views.
Conclusion
The transformation of “M*A*S*H” from a novel to a film, and finally to a TV series, reveals the complexities of adaptations and the potential divergence from the original author’s intentions. H. Richard Hornberger’s discontent with the portrayal of Hawkeye in the television series is a testament to the impact that changes in character and thematic focus can have on the creators of the source material. Though the M*A*S*H TV series found a place in the hearts of many viewers with its blend of humor and anti-war sentiment, it simultaneously alienated the very individual whose experiences formed the backbone of the narrative. This dynamic underscores the subjective nature of storytelling and reception, as well as the ownership and legacy of creative works.