Film was based on a series of novels by the pseudonymous "Dr. Richard Hooker," a real doctor whose tour of duty in Korea served as the basis for the books. Television spin-off was a critical and commercial success for 11 seasons on CBS while becoming a favorite in syndication. The series was even farther removed from the original source material than the movie was. Although initially something of a black comedy and an ensemble piece similar to the film, "M*A*S*H" would eventually become a gentler, more socially conscious and humanistic show revolving around lead Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye Pierce while performing directing and writing duties as well. Wayne Rogers played Trapper John for three seasons before leaving due to difficulties in contract negotiations and his general unhappiness with the direction of the show. Rogers had initially agreed to the series with the understanding that he would co-star with Alda and felt that he had essentially become no more than Alda's sidekick. Gary Burghoff reprised his role as Radar O'Reilly, the only actor from the movie to do so. Other characters taken from the film were Lt. Col. Henry Blake (played by McLean Stevenson), Maj. Margaret Houlihan (Loretta Swit), Maj. Frank Burns (Larry Linville), and Father John Mulcahy (William Christopher. The series final episode "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen," in which Hawkeye finally had a nervous breakdown and the Korean War ended, was seen by the largest audience ever for a single television program. Just as Hooker's novel produced several stateside sequels, "M*A*S*H" produced the sequel "After M*A*S*H," starring several of the series' regulars for a cople of uneventful seasons. Episodes of "M*A*S*H," including the finale, are available on videocassette. Dr. David Sachs served as the film's medical advisor. Color by DeLuxe; shot in a widescreen process. Released in USA February 1970. Reviewed in the Monthly Film Bulletin July 1970. Originally rated R by the MPAA, with a running time of 116 minutes; re-released in 1973 with an MPAA PG rating (running time: 112 minutes), and new title music by Ahmad Jamal. Copyright 1969 Aspen Productions, Inc. Rated BBFC X by the British Board of Film Censors.