The Citadel (1938)

With a heart brimming with idealism, young Dr. Andrew Manson (Robert Donat) embarks on a fledgling medical career, seeking the delicate balance between providing quality care to his patients and maintaining fair working conditions. After a brief stint under the tyrannical reign of Dr. Page's (Basil Gill) wife (Dylis Davies) in Wales, Manson finds himself drawn to the coal-blackened heart of a local mining town. As the newly appointed mine doctor, Manson is confronted by a chorus of persistent coughs echoing through the soot-laden streets. He quickly grows suspicious of the ineffectual 'pink medicine' prescribed by his predecessor and, driven by his insatiable curiosity and commitment to his patients, resolves to investigate further. Ignoring the apathetic response from the local hospital, Manson, spurred on by his equally idealistic wife Christine (Rosalind Russell), a spirited schoolteacher, transforms their humble abode into a makeshift research hub. Their relentless investigation reveals the invisible enemy: silica dust, a silent killer lurking in the depths of the mine, causing tuberculosis among the miners. Despite their discovery, the couple face an uphill battle, as both the miners and the miner's board dismiss their findings, longing for the simplicity of the pink medicine. Disheartened, Manson abandons the mine and the whispers of the Welsh hills for the clamor of London city. In London, after an arduous struggle, Manson stumbles upon a lucrative path, guided by an old colleague. He soon finds himself submerged in a society where the wealthy, often suffering more from a longing for attention than any physical ailment, are willing to pay handsomely for his services. This newfound wealth clouds Manson's once clear vision, a change that doesn't sit well with his devoted wife, Christine. However, a personal tragedy, borne out of medical incompetence, strikes close to the Mansons, forcing the doctor to peer through the fog of hypocrisy and deceit that shrouds the medical practice in London. Dr. Manson is left to confront his own reflection, questioning the path he's trodden, torn between the allure of wealth and the call of his original ideals.

The Citadel is a drama movie featuring Robert Donat.

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