Director: Philipp Stolzl

Cast: Tom Payne, Stellan Skarsgard, Emma Rigby, Ben Kingsley

Running Time: 2 hours 30 minutes 

Rating: 15

Release date: October 5th, 2015 on DVD

Both science and religion have found themselves intertwined within the narratives of many great films throughout the history of cinema, with our curious human nature remaining faithfully hungry for answers either beyond our control or out of our knowledgeable grasp.

It’s within Philipp Stolzl‘s epic adventure THE PHYSICIAN that these two well versed subject matters find themselves thrown together, challenged and fought for in the 11th century World. 

Beginning in the Dark Age of England, young Rob (Tom Payne) experiences death at the touch of his hand when he feels the cold wave of eternal sleep wash through his Mother moments before she dies from appendicitis. With his two younger siblings sold for labour work, Rob’s confusion at his new found, supernatural skill inspires him to seek the care and company of a local healer, Barber (Stellan Skarsgard). It’s within Barber’s initially reluctant care that Rob learns the way of barber surgeons, practicing medicine while dodging the Church’s watchful eye as “witchcraft” trembles from the lips of the skeptical. 

When Barber begins to lose his eyesight only to be cured by an impossibly skilled healer, Rob feels compelled to work on his craft and put his gift to good use. With a blessing from Barber,  he decides to travel far across the globe to Egypt where he believes the great healer Ibn Sina (Ben Kingsley) resides. Knowing that Christians are forbidden in the Muslim land Rob pretends to be a Jewish student in order to be tolerated within the country and able to study under Ibn Sina. 

During his travels, Rob encounters a beautiful Spanish girl named Rebecca (Emma Rigby) who, despite being betrothed to another, falls in love with the English student and is cared for by him when the Black Plague descends upon the city, wiping out hundreds of patients per day. It’s during this time that Rob must put his skills into practice, learn all he can from Ibn Sina and fight the restrictions of religious power in order to save as many as he can.

The visuals throughout the entire film are completely superior in their splendor. From the ashen children in a steely grey England to the shimming desert with its deadly golden sand, the rolling hills of the snow scattered mountains to wholly stunning interiors of Egypt’s exquisite architecture; the scope of the film and its ambitions are exceptional.

There’s a great deal of juxtaposing visuals when travelling with Rob and there’s are wondrously enjoyable, it’s with great pleasure that one is able to experience the luxuries of Egypt’s wealth against the gruesome realities of the physical effects of the Black Plague.

The vision from Stolzl and cinematography from Hagen Bogdanski is masterful, with its stunning establishing shots and incredible locations; it’s clear to see the pure skill and talent that has gone in to making the film as aesthetically pleasing as its is.

Alongside this, the film comes with an enjoyable score, suitably enabling the audience to comfortably shift from one location to another; soaking in the atmosphere with both visual and musical satisfaction, with original music composed by Ingo Ludwig Frenzel. 

While the film delivers outstanding visual excellence, the narrative is not without its frustrations. There are many interesting factors that will appeal to both general film fans and history buffs, but lack of clear direction stops it from being wholly clear in its intentions. For example, while Rob’s supernatural talents for feeling death’s final wave are intriguing, Stolzl never truly commits to the exploration of the subject; it feels neglected and at times confusing. The same goes for Rob’s relationship with Rebecca, while both Payne and Rigby do a convincing job of creating some romantic tension between the two of them, the side story feels a little forced and a last ditch attempt at creating a romantic subplot. 

The main plot of science vs religion in the exploration of health and healing, however, is thoroughly enjoyable and this is generally thanks to a great performance from Ben Kingsley. With his stoic presence and effortless sense of superiority, Kingsley pulls focus to the main story line and when Rob and Ibn Sina are arrested under accusation of being necromancers, the tension and drama kicks up a notch; albeit feeling a little too late over half way through the two and a half hour running time. 

It’s most frustrating that such an intriguing narrative is hindered by disappointing editing and a less than impressive script from Jan Berger. However, there is such ambition and great vision from Stolzl that enables THE PHYSICIAN to be enjoyable still. The conflict between religious constraints and the beginning of Man’s exploration of the body and it’s wondrous function is not only entertaining but wholly inspired and perhaps with stronger dialogue and a more focused screenplay, the subject could have been transformed into a completely epic historical adventure, one that Stolzl would have well deserved. 

Still, the film’s incredible visuals absolutely warrant sincere praise, as there is astonishing consistency in its high quality as one feels mesmerized for the glossiest of colours and varied, impressive cinematography. Accompanied by an endearing performance from young Tom Payne, there’s great pleasure to be had within a good, but potentially great, historical adventure. 

Verdict

The Physician is released on DVD through Arrow Films on Monday October 5^th

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