The Hospital (1971)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Arthur Hiller

Writer:

Paddy Chayefsky (writer)

Release Date:

29 September 1972 (Denmark)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Madness, Murder and Malpractice.

Plot:

Black comedy in which a suicidal doctor struggles to find meaning in his life while a murderer stalks the halls of his hospital.

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | Black Comedy | Suicidal | Doctor | Rape

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 6 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Dr. Bock
Diana Rigg	...	Barbara
Barnard Hughes	...	Drummond
Richard Dysart	...	Dr. Welbeck
Stephen Elliott	...	Dr. Sundstrom
Andrew Duncan	...	William Mead
Donald Harron	...	Milton Mead
Nancy Marchand	...	Mrs. Christie
Jordan Charney	...	Hitchcock
Roberts Blossom	...	Guernsey
Lenny Baker	...	Dr. Schaefer
Richard Hamilton	...	Dr. Ronald Casey
Arthur Junaluska	...	Mr. Blacktree
Kate Harrington	...	Nurse Dunne
Katherine Helmond	...	Marilyn Mead

Also Known As:

Right Smack Into the Wind (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content and drug references.

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Canada:PG (Ontario) | USA:GP (original rating) | USA:PG-13 (re-rating) (1997) | Finland:S | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Simcha Productions

Trivia:

Barnard Hughes appears in a dual role in this movie. In addition to his role as Drummond, he also plays (under make-up and hairpiece) hysterectomy surgeon Dr. Mallory.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the Emergency Room, the dead patient's eyes and head change positions between the time Mrs. Cushing and Dr. Spezio look at him.

Quotes:

Herbert Bock: You know, when I say impotent, I don't mean merely limp. When I say impotent, I mean I've lost even my desire to work. That's a hell of a lot more primal passion than sex. I've lost my reason for being... my purpose. The only thing I ever truly loved.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Best! Movies! Ever!: Hospitals (#1.13)" (2007)

This hospital reminds me of the one in Idabel, Oklahoma

May I never have to go to this hospital [or hospice, if I want to be politically correct] [which ass coined this asinine phrase, anyway?], for anything other than directions on how to get out of town. George C. did a masterful job playing the burned out, over worked cynic who has come to the conclusion that his life has been a waste, but is helpless to change his environment or conditions even when given a golden opportunity [which probably wasn't so golden anyway]. I got several laughs out of this brutally black comedy, however at the same time was sobered and often chilled to the marrow because I fear this very atmosphere pervades most houses of healing even as I write.