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The Physician (2013)
Director: Philipp Stölzl
Writers: Jan Berger (screenplay), Noah Gordon (novel)
Cast: Tom Payne, Stellan Skarsgård, Olivier Martinez, Ben Kingsley, Emma Rigby
Genre: Historical Drama Adventure
Synopsis (spoiler free): In the slums of medieval 11th century London, a poor boy is orphaned when his mother dies of the mysterious 'side sickness'. The boy is left to fend for himself best he can. When a traveling 'barber surgeon' comes to town the barber begrudgingly takes the boy as an apprentice. As Rob Cole the boy, becomes a man he encounters a group of learned Jews who tell him of an advanced medical school in far away Persia. He takes on the arduous journey to Persia and disguises himself as a Jew, as Christians are killed on sight. There he hopes to learn the secrets of the medical school.
The Physician (2013)
Writers: Jan Berger (screenplay), Noah Gordon (novel)
Cast: Tom Payne, Stellan Skarsgård, Olivier Martinez, Ben Kingsley, Emma Rigby
Genre: Historical Drama Adventure
Synopsis (spoiler free): In the slums of medieval 11th century London, a poor boy is orphaned when his mother dies of the mysterious 'side sickness'. The boy is left to fend for himself best he can. When a traveling 'barber surgeon' comes to town the barber begrudgingly takes the boy as an apprentice. As Rob Cole the boy, becomes a man he encounters a group of learned Jews who tell him of an advanced medical school in far away Persia. He takes on the arduous journey to Persia and disguises himself as a Jew, as Christians are killed on sight. There he hopes to learn the secrets of the medical school.
Ibn Sina (Ben Kingsley) the master of the medical school and his student Rob Cole (Tom Payne).
Rob Cole (Tom Payne) and Rebecca (Emma Rigby) share a fleeting
moment of peace amongst the threats of religious zealots and the plague.
moment of peace amongst the threats of religious zealots and the plague.
This is one of the best films I've seen this year. The Physician is a German cinema film, shot in English language and based on the successful novel by Noah Gordon. Exterior shots were filmed in Morocco and to this 21st century person looks like ancient Persia.
History told through the human experience... and that's what I appreciated most in this film, it's a very believable look at ancient history. It's a unique telling of how the middle east kept alive the medical and scientific knowledge that the ancient Greeks had amassed. This knowledge was erased from Europe by the Catholic Churches' desire to keep the masses in the dark...hence the term Dark Ages.
The Physician is a tale of one brave soul with a quest for knowledge and the desire to help the sick. He risk his life learning modern science in the time when his own countrymen would have called him a demon for studying the medical arts. Rob Cole is fictional but Ibn Sina and his learned school in Persia is factual.
Looks stunning while not going over the top. A film like this one could have easily went over the top with Hollywood block buster CG effects and grandiose edge of your seat scenes...This is not that type of movie! Being made by German cinema it's sensible! Balanced and beautiful to look at it. It has just enough excitement to keep the story going but never loses sight that it's telling an important story of what was lost during the Dark Ages.
History told through the human experience... and that's what I appreciated most in this film, it's a very believable look at ancient history. It's a unique telling of how the middle east kept alive the medical and scientific knowledge that the ancient Greeks had amassed. This knowledge was erased from Europe by the Catholic Churches' desire to keep the masses in the dark...hence the term Dark Ages.
The Physician is a tale of one brave soul with a quest for knowledge and the desire to help the sick. He risk his life learning modern science in the time when his own countrymen would have called him a demon for studying the medical arts. Rob Cole is fictional but Ibn Sina and his learned school in Persia is factual.
Ibn Sina the Persian is regarded as the most significant thinker and writer of the Islamic Golden Age. He systematically studied the ancient teachings of Greece, Rome and India. His writings: The Book of Healing and The Canon of Medicine became a standard medical text at many medieval universities and remained in use as late as 1650.
Ben Kingsley was excellent as Ibn Sina, he's a fine actor and well suited to this role. Tom Payne who I hadn't seen much of, is amazing in this. He plays his part with a somber, reflective look...the look of a man who sees the pain around him and wishes to help. Emma Rigby is a Jewish girl sent off on an arranged marriage to an older man she doesn't love. She encounters Rob as they travel across the desert in a caravan. Her plight is like many women of the time, she's viewed as a commodity.
Looks stunning while not going over the top. A film like this one could have easily went over the top with Hollywood block buster CG effects and grandiose edge of your seat scenes...This is not that type of movie! Being made by German cinema it's sensible! Balanced and beautiful to look at it. It has just enough excitement to keep the story going but never loses sight that it's telling an important story of what was lost during the Dark Ages.