An Enemy of the People (1978)

A scientist stands against an entire town when he discovers their medicinal spa is polluted.

Director:

George Schaefer

Writers:

Arthur Miller (as adaptation for the American stage by), Alexander Jacobs (screenplay by)

Stars:

Steve McQueen, Bibi Andersson, Charles Durning

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve McQueen	...	Dr. Thomas Stockmann
Bibi Andersson	...	Catherine Stockmann
Charles Durning	...	Peter Stockmann
Richard Dysart	...	Aslaksen (as Richard A. Dysart)
Michael Cristofer	...	Hovstad
Michael Higgins	...	Billing
Eric Christmas	...	Morten Kiil
Robin Pearson Rose	...	Petra Stockmann
Richard Bradford	...	Captain Forster
John Levin	...	Ejlif Stockmann
Ham Larsen	...	Morten Stockmann
Louise Hoven	...	Randine
Glenn Ransom
Leon Charles
Harry Frazier

Storyline

It's winter in a small southern Norwegian town in the late nineteenth century. After years of struggling, Dr. Thomas Stockmann and his family - his wife Catherine, their young adult daughter Petra, and their two adolescent sons Ejlif and Morten - have returned to town after being away for five years up north, he now well respected and successful as the medical resident of the Health Institute at Kirsten Springs, where he is also a board member. He devised the springs and institute as a center of therapeutic benefits on his own, but developed it with his brother, the town mayor, Peter Stockmann, who is the board chair. They have reinvigorated what was the financially crumbling town. Peter takes credit for giving Thomas this air of respectability, something that has never been important to Thomas, who would rather be seen as a man of conviction in doing the right thing. In this respect, Petra takes after her father. Thomas often writes articles for the local activist newspaper, The ...

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Plot Keywords:

based on play | pollution | altruism | reference to jesus christ | reference to galileo | 

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Taglines:

The story of a man of courage.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Steve McQueen wanted his wife Ali MacGraw to star opposite him, until they broke up just before production began.

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Quotes

Dr. Thomas Stockmann: I want you to realize something, Peter. In a democracy, this hat doesn't belong to you. It belongs to the people and it's passed from hand to hand. You can't give any orders! Not until the people have spoken!

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Connections

Version of ITV Play of the Week: An Enemy of the People (1957)

User Reviews

McQueen fans were robbed by Warner Brothers

First and foremost, I have waited 6 months to get this film and to watch it, I finally watched it and it was well worth the wait.

The film follows the Ibsen play very well, although I was a little disappointed with the way the film ended, it followed the story, but I don't think it was as effective as the book.

Steve McQueen is probably the only person who could bring Dr Thomas Stockman to life in the way he does. It's just a crying shame that this film never reached the cinemas (Warner Brothers didn't know what to do with it, after a few negitive reviews). Although Steve tried to get it realized in the art cinemas, it never reached the wider audience.

If you get the chance to see this film, then see it you will not be disappointed with it, Steve deserved an Oscar for his performance, (and also Papillon and the Sand Pebbles). No idea how many copies of this film are available, but I was lucky to get it imported, and I'm glad that I was able to get my hands on a copy

10 out of 10 for me

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 March 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

An Enemy of the People

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Artists, Solar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White (opening and end sequence) Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1