The Citadel (1938)

80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(353 ratings)

Robert Donat stars as Dr. Andrew Manson in this adaptation of A.J. Cronin's best-selling novel. Manson devotes himself to treating the residents of a poverty-stricken Welsh mining community. Tuberculosis runs rampant in the village, and Manson is determined to help stem its tide and bring good… More Robert Donat stars as Dr. Andrew Manson in this adaptation of A.J. Cronin's best-selling novel. Manson devotes himself to treating the residents of a poverty-stricken Welsh mining community. Tuberculosis runs rampant in the village, and Manson is determined to help stem its tide and bring good health back to people who desperately need it. Through a series of unforeseen circumstances, Manson eventually leaves the community and begins working out of London, where he looks after wealthy hypochondriacs who don't really need his services but are willing to pay from them. While Manson gains money and prestige, he has turned his back on his friends, his wife (Rosalind Russell), and the people who need him most in the process. To give the film a more realistic "English" atmosphere, MGM shot The Citadel at their British studios, although they did import an American director (King Vidor) and leading lady (Russell) for the occasion. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 52 min.
Directed By: King Vidor
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1936 Wide
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Though it has Vidor's favorite theme of personal rebirth and his enduring country/city dichotomy, it lacks his usual fire.
Variety Staff, Variety
Picture is studded with many brilliantly human and dramatic sequences.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A gripping portrait of both idealism and its disillusionment.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Sweetened with a happy ending, it's still an effective piece of work, thanks to Donat's typically sturdy performance and Vidor's powerful direction.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
With the exception of compromised ending, King Vidor's film is a good version of Cronin's novel, well acted by Robert Donat as the doctor and the the rest of the cast, including Rosalind Russell and Rex Harrison.

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Featured Audience Ratings

cody f

Great flick. A solid story and top notch acting. I highly recomend this movie.

Cast

            Robert Donat as Andrew Manson

            Rosalind Russell as Christine Manson

            Ralph Richardson as Dr.Denny

            Rex Harrison as Dr. Lawford

            Emlyn Williams as Owen

            Francis L. Sullivan as Ben Chenkin

            Mary Clare as Mrs. Orlando

            Cecil Parker as Charles Every

            Nora Swinburne as Mrs. Thornton

            Athene Seyler as Lady Raebank

            Felix Aylmer as Mr. Boon

            Joyce Bland as Nurse Sharp

            Percy Parsons as Mr. Stillman

            Basil Gill as Dr. Page

            Joss Ambler as Dr. A.H. Llewellyn

            Angela Baddeley
            
            Jane Barrett
            
            Edward Chapman as Joe Morgan

            Penelope Dudley-Ward as Toppy LeRoy

            Joan Kemp-Welch
            
            Eliot Makeham
            
            Bernard Miles as Miner

            Leslie Phillips
            
            Charles Quartermaine
            
            Kynaston Reeves as Doctor

            Josephine Wilson
            
            Haidee Wright
            
            Bombardier Billy Wells
            
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