dctrevans
Joined Oct 2006
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dctrevans's rating
I hadn't seen this since I was a young teenager in the early 1970s and on rewatching it yesterday I realised that this film, along with Richard Gordon's book "Doctor in the House", inspired me to apply for medical school. Mind you, if I'd behaved like the students and doctors portrayed here I would have been struck off. I sure kissing patients, even private ones is not encouraged any more. It's not at all far fetched. If anything a rather restrained and gentle version of medical life.
The film is a succession of set-piece comedy sketches some of which are very creaky in a Carry On Doctor style but what must have got to the younger me was the time Simon Sparrow spent as a locum GP in Scotland (poached fish - I've certainly had some of them from patients) and his reassurance to a scared pre-operative patient which I used as a model in my own career.
The film is a succession of set-piece comedy sketches some of which are very creaky in a Carry On Doctor style but what must have got to the younger me was the time Simon Sparrow spent as a locum GP in Scotland (poached fish - I've certainly had some of them from patients) and his reassurance to a scared pre-operative patient which I used as a model in my own career.
I saw this on TV for the first time in 1973 when I was aged 13 and noted in my diary at the time that it was 'the best film ever". And I'd already seen The Dambusters so that was praise indeed. Viewing it for the second time aged 63 I see no reason to change my opinion. Ustinov is marvellous as the blundering amateur criminal. Mercuri has that indefinable star quality and the heist scene is ridiculously tense: truly memorable. What could possibly go wrong. I'm shortly to be visiting the Topkapi Palace and this has given me an idea. The book that the film is based on by Eric Ambler is excellent as well.
A film that takes us back to a Britain of medium sized businesses striving to make their way in the world of post WW2 austerity. Yesterday's Britain - a better Britain. You stand or fall by your own efforts and do not expect the State to bail you out.
What makes people do their duty above all other alternatives? Well, in order to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and when so many people's livelihoods depend upon your applying your training to the ultimate challenge all other considerations take a back seat. Hawkins' ability to exude a veneer of calm professionalism and blank out his fear for his wife and boys is unparalleled. A very moving scene at the end.
What makes people do their duty above all other alternatives? Well, in order to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and when so many people's livelihoods depend upon your applying your training to the ultimate challenge all other considerations take a back seat. Hawkins' ability to exude a veneer of calm professionalism and blank out his fear for his wife and boys is unparalleled. A very moving scene at the end.