PIC of the Week – The Hospital
Article series by Ray Schillaci
1971 was such a rich year for movies that would be considered classics from the ’70s: A Clockwork Orange, Straw Dogs, Five Easy Pieces, The French Connection to name just a few. We also had a profound group of films that fell into a very popular cult category: Billy Jack, Harold and Maude, Two-Lane Blacktop, THX 1138, and Ken Russell’s film banned in some countries and heavily cut in others (like here in the U.S.), The Devils. That’s not even considering the popular mainstream movies: Fiddler on the Roof, Dirty Harry, Diamonds Are Forever, Summer of ’42, Nicholas and Alexandra.
It’s easy to see how a pedigree film like The Hospital could have been overlooked. But, Twilight Time Movies now gives us a Blu with the chance to witness the brilliance of director Arthur Hiller (The Americanization of Emily, Love Story), writer Paddy Chayefsky (Network, Marty), and George C. Scott (Patton, The Hustler) in a satire on hospitals, doctors, and the broken system during that era. Chayefsky won an Oscar for Best Screenplay, and Scott was nominated for Best Actor. Interesting note, Chayefsky not only narrated the film, but was one of the producers and had control over casting and content.
George C. Scott plays a Chief of Medicine at a hospital whose life is a complete mess. His wife leaves him, children do not want to have anything to do with him, and his hospital is falling apart. Aside from that, the hospital has had two doctors and a nurse die under questionable circumstances. The good doctor also is dealing with impotence, thoughts of suicide and an affair with a patient’s daughter. What the old saying? “Don’t sh*t where you eat.”
I know, it doesn’t sound like a pleasant experience. But, Paddy Chayefsky makes it all worthwhile. Here’s a film that polarized many critics and audiences alike due to its crazy shift in tone. The first half is filled with a very dark sense of humor, and eventually becomes so bleak that the humor is drained and the picture turns quite serious. It’s a daring movie, and one worth watching, especially with other great performances by Diana Rigg (1960s hit TV series The Avengers, Game of Thrones) and Barnard Hughes (Lost Boys, Where’s Poppa?).
Twilight Time Movies give us a 1080p HD picture with English 1.0 DTS-HD MA audio. Not much to brag about, but it’s better than its previous home video releases. Special features are also sparse which is a real shame. Only an isolated music and effects track, and a theatrical trailer.
Now, the crazy thing, Amazon is selling this Blu for $59.99 or a purchase of an SD version from Amazon Video at $13.99 or rental at $2.99. And, it should be noted that this is a limited release with only 3000 printed. If you wish to purchase this classic piece of ’70s cinema, check out the lowest price at Twilight Time Movies at $29.95.
