CinemaSerf

Although GW Pabst was unable to the escape the Nazis and had to remain making films under the supervision of the Ministry of Propaganda, it's pretty clear that this director was simply not just going to toe the party line. Here he presents us with quite a straightforward biopic of the eponymous Swiss man, vilified by the established scientific profession, who worked with homeopathy and other types of more traditional methods of treating illness - spurning the modern day (16th Century) more invasive, shall we say, techniques espoused by the medical elite. Werner Krauss is well cast in the title role and the film takes us through his many confrontations with his peers and the wealthy German nobles and businessmen who, many of them, made their business (and sustained their wealth) from the pain, suffering and even death of their fellow citizens. Had it not been for the fact that is was produced under Dr. Goebbels' auspices, then this would most likely be considered as a merely adequate story of medical advancements that takes a well focussed series of swipes at the selfishness and thoughtlessness of the ruling classes coupled with the ignorance of an incredibly superstitious proletariat. It drags at times and there is romantic element that tries, though not very hard, to inject some humanity into what is essentially quite a dry piece of cinema. Still, perhaps it is just time that has tempered the potency of this film - watch it and see what you think. I enjoyed it.