The Plague (1992)
"La peste" (original title)

In the 1990s, a South American city is rocked by the imminent outbreak of a plague. While many attempt to flee the city, Dr Bernard Rieux sends his sick wife away and does his best to care ... See full summary »

Director:

Luis Puenzo

Writers:

Albert Camus (novel), Luis Puenzo,

Stars:

William Hurt, Sandrine Bonnaire, Jean-Marc Barr

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Hurt	...	Doctor Bernard Rieux
Sandrine Bonnaire	...	Martine Rambert
Jean-Marc Barr	...	Jean Tarrou
Robert Duvall	...	Joseph Grand
Raul Julia	...	Cottard
Jorge Luz	...	Old Man with the cats
Victoria Tennant	...	Alicia Rieux
Atilio Veronelli	...	Dr. Horacio
Francisco Cocuzza	...	Miguel
Laura Palmucci	...	Miguel's Wife
Norman Erlich	...	Dr. Castel
Marcos Woinsky	...	Doctor Grunewald
Duilio Marzio	...	Judge Orbon
Pancho Ibáñez	...	Newscater
Horacio Fontova	...	Attendant

Storyline

In the 1990s, a South American city is rocked by the imminent outbreak of a plague. While many attempt to flee the city, Dr Bernard Rieux sends his sick wife away and does his best to care for the plague's victims. The plague means different things to different people: to the doctor, it's a disease to be cured. To a pair of French journalists, it's a breaking news story. To religious leaders, it's punishment for sins. As the sense of isolation and hopelessness grow, Dr Rieux and his associates begin to question their previously-accepted feelings of justice, loneliness, and love.

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Plot Keywords:

plague | doctor | military | bubonic plague | disease | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

France UK Argentina

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 August 1992 (France)

Also Known As:

The Plague

Filming Locations:

Argentina

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compagnie Française Cinématographique (CFC), The Pepper-Prince Ltd., Oscar Kramer S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

148 min 122 min (cut) 105 min (cut) 115 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Jean Tarrou: [bed ridden] The sound... The sound of the plague, can you here it?

User Reviews

stands alone

Well, well, well...

After having read so many different views about this film, I just had to add my own. Lots of people are disturbed that it's so far from the book. Usually I hate that myself, but in this instance I am somehow easily able to compartmentalize, and see the film as something separate. I think it can be viewed on it's own as a great film, and I find it something that I will watch again, and again. I've also read that many people find the erotic elements gratuitous, but I've always found that 'sex and death' is a close 'idea relationship', in the human psyche.Sex and or intimacy are affirmations of life, in the face of it's opposite. People do lots of strange things when faced with death and the possibility of death, especially when it is expected, and in such a familiar form... what reasonably educated person doesn't know what this type of disease involves? I find that I can live with the changes of story and time setting in this film, and feel that it is just a fascinating movie which it is easy to view as an entirely 'stand alone' piece in it's examination of different personalities in crisis.