BEHIND THE MASK

UK, 1958, 99 minutes, Colour.
Michael Redgrave, Carl Mohner, Niall Mc Guinness, Tony Britton, Vanessa Redgrave, Ian Bannen, Brenda Bruce, Lionel Jeffries.
Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst.

Behind the Mask refers to the surgeons behind their operating masks. This is an interesting, if very low-key, portrait of hospital, interns, administration fights, problems, patients. It is the serious side of Doctor in the House and the others in this series, so popular in England in the '50s. The Americans do this kind of thing far more spectacularly and sensationally: The Young Doctors, The Interns etc. This type of film was sent up in the American parody, Young Doctors in Love.

The film, attractively photographed in colour, focuses on a particular hospital and its operations. The cast is strong, led by Sir Michael Redgrave and Tony Britton. Of interest, Vanessa Redgrave (aged 20) appears as the heroine - almost unrecognisable in view of her later career. She was not to make another film until Morgan, almost nine years later. There is a strong supporting cast led by Lionel Jeffries, Niall Mc Guiness, Ian Bannen.

The film doesn't offer anything particularly new - but is a pleasing enough presentation of the hospital genre, British '50s style.

1. Audience interest in hospital films? The life of the staff? Comparisons with other films of this kind? In comparison with television treatments in later decades?

2. Colour photography, the atmosphere of the hospital, the film's attention to detail of the hospital life, the operations? Musical score?

3. The title and the focus or, operations, surgery, the persons and their lives and conflicts behind the masks?

4. Philip as the central character: his relationship with Pamela, love for her, the examination for the Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, his success? The patronage of Sir Arthur? His postponing the engagement? His being manipulated by his future father-in-law? His agreement to be interviewed for the post? The tour of the hospital? Getting to understand the personalities, Sir Arthur's administration, the clash with Isherwood? The members of staff? The friendship with Carl, concern about him, Elizabeth and the debts, lending him money, interviewing Elizabeth, believing Carl about the drugs, his war experience? Going to his rescue, helping him? The inquiry, his being the scapegoat? His doing the honourable thing? The delay of his engagement, its finally being announced, the relationship with Pamela? The concern about the patients? Mrs. Johnson and his taking over the operation for Sir Arthur? The other patient, Carl's inadequacy with the anaesthetic, his being absent from her death? Sir Arthur's heart attack? His decisions, staying in the hospital, fighting the factions?

5. Sir Arthur and his administration of the hospital, his plans for his successor, his promoting Philip, postponing the engagement? His manner of running the hospital? The clash with Isherwood and his faction? The rounds, the students, the televised failure in the operation - intentional or not? succeeding? His presence on the Board, the report about the patient’s death? His heart attack? His pride in his daughter? Philip carrying on his tradition?

6. Pamela and her love for Philip, relationship with her father? Support of Philip, the postponement, the announcing of the engagement? Her decision for her father?

7. Carl and his feeling discriminated against, his Polish background, the war experience, the drugs? Arrival in England, the lent money, her turning against him, her frustrated love, the pressure on him? His position in the hospital, success with the anaesthetic, the operation and its failure, his stealing the drugs and his collapse, his being responsible for Philip's absence?

8. Isherwood and his place in the hospital, faction against Sir Arthur, his presence at the operation, the offer of the job to Philip, the final interview? Troy and his work as secretary, finding formulas for compromise?

9. The younger members of the staff: the tour, Greenwood and his help, helping with Carl? The nurses, the members of the operating theatre? The students and their rounds, watching the televised operation?

10. The Board and the investigation, Sir Oswald and his arrangement, the member from the government? The inquest, the investigation and inquiry?

11. The life of the hospital, Johnson, her dilemma, the operation, details of the operation? success?

12. The life of a hospital, personnel, equipment, ethos?