The Citadel (1938) :
Brief Review -
King Vidor's gutsy attempt to expose dishonest doctors in the peak era of legendary biopics on great doctors and scientists. Vidor's The Citadel exposes the medical scams and greed of doctors in dramatic fashion, but what makes this film special is the period when it was made. We had films like "The Story Of Louis Pasteur" (1936), Dr. Ehlrich's Magic Bullet" (1940), "Edison The Man" (1940), and to some extent "The Life Of Emile Zola" (1937), if I may add that film to the list, which told us about the great works these good men had done. Every invention was once called a joke, and every scientist/doctor was once called a madman. But as they say, you have to be mad enough to create history, and that's what these people did. King Vidor's drama even uses the references of these people to prove that having a degree or name in the registrar is not important as long as you are trying to serve humanity through your undying spirit and useful knowledge. The Citadel is about a doctor who tries to make a difference but is oppressed by fraudulent doctors. He continues his struggle and carries out great work, but finds no prosperity. Suddenly, his fate takes a huge turn, and he becomes wealthy, only to forget his motive and sacrifice the passionate doctor in him. This is a basic plot with basic ups and downs that are seen in thousands of films, be it any genre. Yet, The Citadel makes a difference because it remains one of its kind to show the guts to expose corruption in the medical profession. Moreover, it pledges to serve humanity in any way possible and also teaches that maybe money is not what you are looking for as a reason for happiness in your life. Robert Donat is fine, and Rosalind Russell looks cute. Their chemistry works even better with those unbeatable expressions of Russell. Vidor has had many pathbreaking classics in the silent era, but he was the same person who was ready to take on challenges in the talkie era, and this film proves it. A little incomplete, though.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.
King Vidor's gutsy attempt to expose dishonest doctors in the peak era of legendary biopics on great doctors and scientists. Vidor's The Citadel exposes the medical scams and greed of doctors in dramatic fashion, but what makes this film special is the period when it was made. We had films like "The Story Of Louis Pasteur" (1936), Dr. Ehlrich's Magic Bullet" (1940), "Edison The Man" (1940), and to some extent "The Life Of Emile Zola" (1937), if I may add that film to the list, which told us about the great works these good men had done. Every invention was once called a joke, and every scientist/doctor was once called a madman. But as they say, you have to be mad enough to create history, and that's what these people did. King Vidor's drama even uses the references of these people to prove that having a degree or name in the registrar is not important as long as you are trying to serve humanity through your undying spirit and useful knowledge. The Citadel is about a doctor who tries to make a difference but is oppressed by fraudulent doctors. He continues his struggle and carries out great work, but finds no prosperity. Suddenly, his fate takes a huge turn, and he becomes wealthy, only to forget his motive and sacrifice the passionate doctor in him. This is a basic plot with basic ups and downs that are seen in thousands of films, be it any genre. Yet, The Citadel makes a difference because it remains one of its kind to show the guts to expose corruption in the medical profession. Moreover, it pledges to serve humanity in any way possible and also teaches that maybe money is not what you are looking for as a reason for happiness in your life. Robert Donat is fine, and Rosalind Russell looks cute. Their chemistry works even better with those unbeatable expressions of Russell. Vidor has had many pathbreaking classics in the silent era, but he was the same person who was ready to take on challenges in the talkie era, and this film proves it. A little incomplete, though.
RATING - 7.5/10*
By - #samthebestest.