text: An Enemy of the People by Jack O'Brien |Anne Gee Byrd, Richard Easton, Mitchell Edmonds | 12233025439 | VHS | Barnes & Noble® Books by Author Books by Series Collectible Editions Coming Soon by Date Coming Soon by Subject New Releases NY Times Bestsellers Signed Books Top Books of the Month
  Director: Jack O'Brien Cast: Anne Gee Byrd, Richard Easton, Mitchell EdmondsJack O'Brien,
  Enemy of the People available in VHS
  Set in a small Maine town in 1883, this made-for-TV production tells the tale of an honest physician's attempt to warn his community about a public hazard that politicians and investors want to hide. The story begins with Thomas Stockman, M.D. (John Glover), who is awaiting results of the university's analysis of a water sample he took from a local spa. The spa promises to bring the town a windfall of tourist dollars, but he suspects that illnesses among the first users of the spa resulted from contaminated water. When the university confirms the presence of "infectious organic matter," Dr. Stockmann proposes to publicize the report and close the spa in order to make improvements that will purify the water. He believes the public will embrace him as a hero for discovering the pollution. But his brother, Mayor Peter Stockmann (George Grizzard), insists that the spa remain open, calling his brother a niggling busybody who would ruin the town with a false report. Besides, it would cost an enormous sum to rectify the problem. At first, a reform-minded newspaper editor, Hovstad, backs the doctor, saying his report will not only disclose the problem at the spa but will also expose corruption among local power brokers who back the spa. But Hovstad withdraws his support after the mayor tells him the loss of tourism would force merchants to curtail their newspaper advertising. Meanwhile, the townspeople turn against the doctor because the mayor claims the spa improvements would force a substantial tax increase. At a town meeting, almost everyone sides against Dr. Stockmann and agrees to boycott his medical practice. That evening and into the following morning, angry citizens stone the doctor's house as the film moves toward its conclusion.
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  Anne Gee Byrd Citizen
  Mitchell Edmonds Citizen
  John Glover Dr. Stockman
  George Grizzard Mayor Peter Stockman
  Byron Jennings Hovstad
  Valerie Mahaffey Mrs. Stockman
  James Morrison Captain Horster
  Robert Phalen Drunk
  Nina Siemaszko Polly Stockman
  Robert Symonds Morten Kiehl
  Christopher Pettiet Morton Stockman
  Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's 1882 drama about a man willing to risk everything to tell the truth receives loving treatment in this made-for-TV motion picture adapted by Arthur Miller. An Enemy of the People (Ein Folkfiende) is a tightly knit drama, with all of the action taking place in a home, a newspaper office, and a barn used for a town meeting. John Glover reaches into the depths of his acting skill to portray Dr. Thomas Stockmann, who discovers that the local spa contains disease-causing bacteria. The discovery threatens the town's economic survival and the pocketbooks of local investors, including the physician's own brother, Mayor Peter Stockmann (George Grizzard). Glover's character is totally honest as he insists on publishing the report. But he is also somewhat flawed in his stubborn zealotry and in his overweening pride in his status as guardian of public health and welfare. The result is a riveting study of the human psyche as it responds to an ethical dilemma. Meanwhile, Dr. Stockmann's brother, Mayor Peter Stockmann Grizzard, gives the audience what Ibsen intended: a self-seeking politician skilled at masquerading lies as truth and capable of betraying his own brother. As the conflict slowly builds -- and the ideals of the townspeople, including reform-minded newsmen, crumble under the weight of Mayor Stockmann's machinations -- the story reaches an explosive climax in which Dr. Stockmann stands alone against an angry mob. Arthur Miller does justice to the original Ibsen play as he moves the setting to Maine of 1883 while retaining the names of the characters.
  An Enemy of the People 5 out of 5 based on 0 ratings. 1 reviews.
  To all people who want this movie; If you want the one with Steve McQueen in it be specific.Barnes&Noble says this is the one shown that has Steve McQueen in it.It isn't. I ordered it and was sent the same title but with people I had never heard of before.The movie with Steve McQueen&Charles Durning in it is great.I'm letting you all know about Barnes&Noble's screw up,to save you all the aggravation of finding it's not the one you may think you have ordered and having to wait another 3 weeks to get the right one.