The Citadel (1938)
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80% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
65% of users liked it
(369 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
- Directed By
- King Vidor
- Genres
- Drama, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jun 1, 1936 Wide
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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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.
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Variety Staff, Variety
Picture is studded with many brilliantly human and dramatic sequences.
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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.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A gripping portrait of both idealism and its disillusionment.
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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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Robert Donat
as Andrew Manson
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Rosalind Russell
as Christine Manson
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Ralph Richardson
as Dr.Denny
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Rex Harrison
as Dr. Lawford
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Emlyn Williams
as Owen
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Francis L. Sullivan
as Ben Chenkin
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Mary Clare
as Mrs. Orlando
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Cecil Parker
as Charles Every
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Nora Swinburne
as Mrs. Thornton
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Athene Seyler
as Lady Raebank
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Felix Aylmer
as Mr. Boon
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Joyce Bland
as Nurse Sharp
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Percy Parsons
as Mr. Stillman
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Basil Gill
as Dr. Page
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Joss Ambler
as Dr. A.H. Llewellyn
- Angela Baddeley
- Jane Barrett
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Edward Chapman
as Joe Morgan
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Penelope Dudley-Ward
as Toppy LeRoy
- Joan Kemp-Welch
- Eliot Makeham
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Bernard Miles
as Miner
- Leslie Phillips
- Charles Quartermaine
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Kynaston Reeves
as Doctor
- Josephine Wilson
- Haidee Wright
- Bombardier Billy Wells
