An Enemy of the People

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An Enemy of the People

G

Released Mar 17, 1978

1h 43m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

60%

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5 Reviews

52%

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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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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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

Hovstad

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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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