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An Enemy of the People

Play trailer Poster for An Enemy of the People G 1978 1h 43m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
In this adaptation of a Henrik Ibsen play, Dr. Thomas Stockmann (Steve McQueen) is a small-town physician who realizes that the local tourist destination, a hot spring, is dangerously contaminated. Thomas warns his brother Peter (Charles Durning), the town's mayor; Peter, however, is more concerned with cashing in on the spring than ensuring public safety. In order to keep the spring open, Peter and the town council destroy Thomas' reputation as he tries to tell the public of his discovery.

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An Enemy of the People

Critics Reviews

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Nigel Andrews Financial Times 03/07/2023
McQueen manages at once to look totally out of place and to give the best performance in the film. Most of his fellow actors seem dead behind the eyes. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com 08/20/2024
3/5
...Steve McQueen cultivated a persona that was about the defiant nature of the human spirit, and if you’re game for putting that particular jigsaw together, this is a significant, absorbing piece of filmed theatre… Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 08/23/2020
3/4
...an erratic yet rewarding endeavor that is perhaps more relevant now than ever before. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 07/29/2008
C+
Even though it's not an exciting venture, it's at least tolerable and watchable Go to Full Review Phil Hall Film Threat 10/28/2005
3.5/5
Underappreciated and barely-released version of Ibsen's drama, with a rather hirsute Steve McQueen playing against type in a fine performance. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Blu B @RT43513976 Aug 8 A Deep Cut Drama Classic. Acting is really good overall. Best part is the drama between McQueen and Durning. I wish there was even more honestly. Cinematography is solid with decent direction. But it's very small scale, intimate, and I wish maybe there was a bit more on location stuff or actually showing the actual springs. It's shot like a play it feels like and it works butt I wish there was a bit more production value. Music is good too but I wish it was a bit more distinct. Excellent editing and very well paced. This is a slow burn the entire way and it reminds me of a character you'd see Gregory Peck play and suprisngly McQueen is really good in this role being so subdued but stern. It's got lots of underlying commentary about profits and ethics. The whole thing feels like your watching a novel or play on screen. Scenes go on for very long periods too and it really keeps focus. It does get a little weak when McQueen isn't around in the middle but he's in the rest from there on out. Anyone who is a fan of the source material, dramas, the director, or any actors in this should check this out. It's unlike any Steve McQueen film I've seen and really showcases his talent as a true actor beyond action flicks. Very impressed and suprised. Was not expecting this high quality. See more 09/07/2015 Still as relevant today as the play was over a 130 years ago, perhaps even more so... See more s r @ScottR 09/04/2015 A film that tries to makes you think about mobocracy, but through an environmental approach. It was repetitive, but tolerable. See more 10/28/2011 I saw this movie once in 1978 or 1979 at MCAS New River. I enjoyed it, but I have not seen it since. See more 02/12/2008 Decent flick about the cost of being a whistleblower, a bit tedious and not that gripping. Only for McQueen fans. See more Read all reviews
An Enemy of the People

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Cast & Crew

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George Schaefer

Director

Steve McQueen

Doctor Thomas Stockmann

Charles Durning

Peter Stockmann

Bibi Andersson

Catherine Stockmann

Richard Dysart

Aslaksen

Michael Cristofer

Hovstad

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An Enemy of the People

An Enemy of the People (1977) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this adaptation of a Henrik Ibsen play, Dr. Thomas Stockmann (Steve McQueen) is a small-town physician who realizes that the local tourist destination, a hot spring, is dangerously contaminated. Thomas warns his brother Peter (Charles Durning), the town's mayor; Peter, however, is more concerned with cashing in on the spring than ensuring public safety. In order to keep the spring open, Peter and the town council destroy Thomas' reputation as he tries to tell the public of his discovery.
Director
George Schaefer
Producer
George Schaefer
Screenwriter
Alexander Jacobs
Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co
First Artists, Solar Productions
Rating
G
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 17, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 4, 2012
Runtime
1h 43m
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