An Enemy of the People

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An Enemy of the People

G

1978

1h 43m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

60%

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5 Reviews

53%

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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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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

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.

Mar 7, 2023

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

...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…

Rated: 3/5

Aug 20, 2024

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an erratic yet rewarding endeavor that is perhaps more relevant now than ever before.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 23, 2020

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Even though it's not an exciting venture, it's at least tolerable and watchable

Rated: C+

Jul 29, 2008

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Phil Hall

Film Threat

Underappreciated and barely-released version of Ibsen's drama, with a rather hirsute Steve McQueen playing against type in a fine performance.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 28, 2005

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Blu B

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/08/25

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Audience Member

Still as relevant today as the play was over a 130 years ago, perhaps even more so...

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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s r

A film that tries to makes you think about mobocracy, but through an environmental approach. It was repetitive, but tolerable.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

I saw this movie once in 1978 or 1979 at MCAS New River. I enjoyed it, but I have not seen it since.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

Decent flick about the cost of being a whistleblower, a bit tedious and not that gripping. Only for McQueen fans.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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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

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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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