AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE

US, 1978, 98 minutes, Colour.
Steve Mc Queen, Bibi Andersson, Charles Durning, Richard Dysart.
Directed by George Schaeffer.

An Enemy of the People is based on the Henrik Ibsen's play, adapted for the American stage by celebrated playwright Arthur Miller. This film was a special project of Steve Mc Queen who was executive producer - only a few years before his untimely
death.

The film was beautifully designed by Eugene Lourie, with an atmosphere of Norway in the late 19th century. The colour photography is muted, with prevailing browns and sepia which give a distinctive tone to the film. The text of play is well preserved and the film is an interesting example of a filmed play. However, the film was considered too slow for cinema audiences when completed and was on the shelf for several years (television and video make for a much more acceptable presentation of the film).

Steve Mc Queen, almost thoroughly disguised by long flowing hair, beard and glasses is the honorable doctor. Bibi Andersen gives some Scandinavian authenticity to the film as his wife. Charles Durning is effective as the ambitious Mayor. Of interest screenwriter Michael Christopher appears as the radical journalist who finds that he is not nearly as radical as he thought. (Christopher wrote such screenplays as the Shadow Box and the adaptation of Tom Wolf's Bonfire of the Vanities.) This is a good opportunity to see one of Ibsen's classic plays, not so well known as Hedda Gabbler or A Doll's House, but focusing on social issues, so distinctive of the
late 19th century.

1. The work of Ibsen? The focus on society, demolition and radicalism, democracy? Relevance in the 19th century? 20th Century?

2. The atmosphere of 19th century Norway, the colour photography and its sepia tones, the town, decor, costumes and make-up? Musical score?

3. The use of Ibsen's text, adapted by Arthur Miller, opened up for the screen? The relevance for contemporary audiences? 19th century perspective, 20th century?

4. The title and its tone, irony for Dr Stockman? The theme of the people, J, democracy, the majority being right - and the examples of Christ's death, Galileo’s theories?

5. The portrait of the family to open the film: Katherine, the devoted wife, work in the household, her father and his eccentricity, taking the food? The children coming home from school? The visitors and the meal? The visit of the Mayor? Thomas's arrival with the children? Audiences identifying with the family, its spirit, the Joyful mood? The contrast with the change and the ironies of the final sequences?

6. Steve McQueen? as Doctor Thomas Stockman? His relationship with his wife, love for her and her loyalty to him? The boys playing with him, the discussions at the meal? Petra, older, social-minded? The letter? His love for his family? The background of being in the north, with poor people, ideas and ideals? The background of his radical stances, anti-authority? Peters, the cool friendship, their being brothers? The physical examination and Peter's health? The visitors at the table, sharing radical ideas? The sympathetic captain? The letter, his going to read it, his stances? The information about the springs, the water, the pollution? The reactions at the table, his seeming to be alert, people wanting to publish his findings, the benefit for the town? The issue of the poisoning of the water and the environmental and business consequences?

7. The publishers, at the meal, their enthusiasm? Thomas's document? The hopes, the mood? The publisher and his constant theme of moderation? The expectations, the caution? The visit of the Mayor, his presence and their reaction, his alternate document, trying to cover the truth? The news about the tax, the popularity of the scheme, the survival of the paper? Their changing their attitude, fearful of risks? Their processes of rationalising? Thomas's arrival, Peter hiding? Their change of heart, attitude? Thomas's reaction, realisation that Peter was there? The confrontation?

8. The character of the Mayor, his relationship with Thomas? Power, the hat and the cane? His visit to the household and his arrogance? His visit to the paper, not expecting it to be clean? His role in the town, people's esteem? The question of money? Trying to ignore the scientific findings? His resentment against his brother and his stances?

9. The meeting, the captain and his friendliness and housing the meeting? The hostile crowds? Thomas not able to speak? His family there in support? The electing of the publisher as the cautious chairman? Under the influence of the Mayor? The handling of the crowd, the alleged non-violence? The Mayor and his speech, twisting motivations, condemning his brother, condemning the findings? The visionary speech about the future of the town? The appeal to greed? The majority voting? The tone of the meeting, people's hostility, the vote? The captain standing by Thomas? The people turned against him - and his being declared an enemy of the people?

10. Thomas's speech on majority rule and democracy, the decision to leave, going to America, the hopes for democracy and right to free speech? The stones for the window, the cold house, the kids and the fighting, Petra expelled from school? The prospects of the United States - but Katherine not wanting to go?

11. Katherine's father, eccentric behaviour, buying up all the stock (indicating that people did know the truth)? His reputation, owning the stock, the challenge to Thomas to do something about it and vindicate himself? The reputation of his father and grandfather and the tannery and the poisoning of the town? His challenge to Thomas - the truth about the possibilities of the poison, the food? His resentment towards his brother?

12. The publishers and their return, trying to make good their stance? Trying to get Thomas to be in charge - of the corruption? The deals? Peter and his visit, the cold, wanting an apology for Thomas's reinstatement?

13. Thomas and his decision to stand by the truth and right, the support of his family? Not going to America? The final photograph of the family together? Audiences identifying with this stance?

14. The presentation of a 19th century classic onscreen, audience accessibility, the relevance especially in the 70s and 80s with the focus on the environment, on big business and fraud, financial collapses?