An Enemy of the People (1978)

I can understand the studio's apprehension to show this film in the States. After all, it lacks the story elements that are supposed to make a film marketable. The only thing it does have is fantastic writing (from a play by Henrik Ibsen) and a story that has a lot to say about human nature and the destructive power of the people.This story is set in Norway in the 19th century. A town is anticipating becoming rich as a spa town and there is a minor unanticipated glitch. The doctor who works for the spa owners (Steve McQueen) had the water tested and has found it's filled with harmful bacteria which is the result from runoff from a nearby tannery. At first, most of the folks he tells seem appreciative that this was discovered. But over time, selfish self-interest turns the town into a lynch mob and the power of the majority turns out to be a dangerous thing.This story is a HUGE change of pace for McQueen and it is relatively slow paced. But it also is brilliant and incredibly insightful...and packs a very, very strong emotional impact as you watch. Exceptional and well worth seeing...even if it is among McQueen's least known films.

There really isn't any point to this. Everyone so instantly turns against Steve McQueen's character that there is nothing to discuss. There is no conflict of ideas. Just a man who has the truth on his side being quickly beaten down and crushed.I guess if your world view is as pitch black as this, you'll get right on board. Otherwise, you won't have any use for it. Strange what the point of Henrik Ibsen, who wrote the play, or Arthur Miller, who adapted it to English, is.This was McQueen's passion project. But, for what reason, only he could know. He gives a good enough performance, but that doesn't change what the play is about.**** (4 Out of 10 Stars)

I was a little disappointed to say the least when I finished this. It was almost like watching an ABC after School Special on "sticking to your principals".This has shades of the Salem Witch Trials all through it. Not the witches part obviously but the the town frenzy aspect and the few who are shunned and judged wrong regardless of obvious evidence. The town morons who are just too stupid to think for themselves and so the town hierarchy speak for em and they believe every word they say.If this would have went in another direction, like say, half-way through they were to fast forward a year and see the results of the tourist season at the spa to see the outcome of the "bad water" then I would have liked this or at least respected it a little more. But as it is and was left to us, I can certainly see why this a a forgotten Mcqueen film. It was just a little over dramatic for my taste.If you like plays, as this obviously was, and you enjoy a lot of talking and some over-acting thrown in, then this one's for you.

As every McQueen fan knows,this is the one that we all want to see...The one film that brought McQueen out of the quiet years,the one film he fought hard to bring to the big screen only for the studio to pull it after a limited release because the character didn't seem to suit McQueens fans...Well after finally seeing the film you realize just how wrong and short sighted there where... McQueen is playing Dr Thomas Stockman,trying the speak out against the greedy town's people who don't want to hear the truth about their water in the prosperous spring spa as it will drive away all the tourists with their cash...McQueen is standing up to impossible odds..not refusing to stand down or bend his principles...This is the type of character McQueen played in nearly all his other roles.Before i saw the film i did think that perhaps McQueen wouldn't be suited to the "serious acting role" that Dr Thomas Stockman required...boy was i wrong..McQueen gives an outstanding performance...one of the best of his career & this film should be brought back out on a special edition DVD(along with Tom Horn) so all the fans can see the tour de force the film really is....A mention must also go to the supporting cast,particularly Charles Durning who's greed & corruption really sparks against McQueens honest Doctor...also nice to see the man in a suitcase Richard Bradford in a good strong role as the Captian.In closing this is a great movie & if you have to bid a lot on e-bay for it then do so......