MISS EVERS' BOYS

US, 1997, 118 minutes, Colour.
Alfre Woodard, Laurence Fishburne, Craig Sheffer, Joe Morton, E.G. Marshall, Ossie Davis.
Directed by Joseph Sargent.

Miss Evers' Boys is an Emmy Award-winning telemovie focusing on an episode in United States medical history. In the 1930s, a foundation offered money to contribute to the cure of African- American men infected with syphilis in Macon County, Alabama. However, because of the Depression, finances were withdrawn. The American government proposed a study of these men, so that they went without treatment and observations were made to compare them with what happened in a Norwegian study in the early 20th century with white males. As time went on, the process continued so that the men would complete the study only with their deaths and autopsies.

The film focuses on Eunice Evers, a nurse who worked well with people, who supported the initial program, who was asked to participate in the experiment and study, who, against her wishes, went along with it but wanted to be of service to the men in their illness and suffering. Joe Morton is Dr Sam Brodus, the African- American doctor who wanted the study to be a focus on the similarities between African- Americans and white men. Craig Sheffer is the white doctor, the researcher, who participated in the experiment. The framework of the film is a senate inquiry in the '70s, set up to examine the scandal once it broke in the media.

The film is very well made, serious of intent, explaining the motivation of the people who ran the experiment, focusing on Miss Evers and the humanitarian to the study. By implication, it shows the blindness of people in their own times, working with goodwill, but who do not see the broader consequences of their experiment.

Alfre Woodard is excellent as Miss Evers, and Laurence Fishburne, executive producer, is one of the main subjects of the study.

Joseph Sargent has directed many films and, especially, telemovies such as Choices of the Heart.

1. The impact of this film? In the '90s? Re-creating events of the '30s and '40s, a senate inquiry of the '70s? A perspective on American health during the 20th century?

2. The title, the focus on Eunice Evers, her relationship with the men, the band called after her, her staying with the men for forty years?

3. The Alabama locations, the period, Washington? Musical score, the songs during the credits, the song-and-dance routines? Echoes of The Cotton Club?

4. The framework of the film, the senate inquiry, the senator and his questions, the reaction of the other members of the inquiry? Miss Evers and her testimony? Dr Brodus present in the court? Her reminiscences, her justification of Dr Brodus, her explanation of the history, of her own involvement, her own personal story?

5. The portrait of Eunice Evers, at home, her relationship with her father, caring for him, his protectiveness, not liking Caleb, finally urging her to go north when it was too late for her to move? Her work as a nurse, qualification, her oath, her dedication? The arrival of Dr Douglas, Dr Brodus and his enthusiasm? The financial grant, her going round the countryside, meeting the men in the fields, the barns, urging them to come for treatment? Her persuasive manner, her understanding? Able to explain medical procedures in their own words? The beginnings of the treatment, the improvements? Her relationship with the band, her friendship with Caleb, the schoolroom scene, her initials, remembering his tormenting her at school? The other members of the group, Willie and his dancing, the competition, their winning, her taking them? Her discussions with Dr Douglas? The change of financial arrangements, her having to be let go, her working as a domestic like her mother? The brief scene of the women at tea and her serving them? The new situation, her being persuaded by Dr Brodus, her unwillingness to lie, her care for the men? The nature of one hill after another and when was the time to stop? Her care for the men, the spinal tap for Willie and his pain? The men running away? Her relationship with Caleb, going to the club, her dancing? His going to the military, her not going with him? Her inability to tell him the truth? The work with the men, the years passing, the change of policy, her discovering the truth about it being a lifelong test? Her giving the penicillin to Hardman, his death, Dr Brodus's willingness to cover it up? The return of Caleb, her inability to leave the men, trying to do what was right?

6. Dr Brodus, well-trained, interested in health, his concern about racism? His care for the men, the syphilis? Dr Douglas? The change of policy, his going to the meeting in Washington, Dr Douglas persuading him? The Tuskegee study? Relationship with Eunice Evers, her being let go, the return, the spinal tap sequence, the cover-up for Hardman's death? His presence at the inquiry?

7. Dr Douglas, the white man in the Alabama town, at the drinking fountain? His work, researcher, erudite, not a good manner with people? The Cotton Club, his later visit and the dance? His growing friendship with the men? The change of policy, the meeting, his persuading Dr Brodus about the study, his participation, telling the truth to Eunice?

8. Caleb, his family background, his brother being lynched, working for the widow and her children? His having to work in the cotton fields instead of going to school? Memories of schooldays? The attraction towards Eunice, talking with her, taking her out? The musical routine and their winning? His being with her at the dance, her inability to tell him the truth of the study? His going away to the war, absent for five years, the return, unable to persuade her to leave? His going north, never marrying?

9. The men and the spread of syphilis, the map, the bad blood disease, their fears, treatment? The scenes of the therapy - and its not being real therapy? Blood tests, spinal taps? The refusal of penicillin even when it was available? Their being too ill?

10. A portrait of the American South, racism? A portrait of American health and experiments, goodwill during the '30s, the discovery of the discrimination inherent in the study? Cover-ups, exposure? A reconsideration of what people took for granted as good and seeing its limitations?