FILM REVIEWS

“The Hospital,” arguably the only good film that Arthur Hiller had made, is a darkly humorous satire, centering on Dr. Herbert Bock (George C. Scott, well cast), a bitter, suicidal surgeon in a New York hospital.

Paddy Chayefsky’s screenplay captures the chaos of everyday life in an urban hospital.  Patients at the hospital die, often due to carelessness, ineptness, and malpractice of the staff.

In a usbplot, Bogg, a lonely man, falls for Barbara Drummond (British actress Diana Rigg), the daughter of a patient (played by Borodaway actor Barnard Hughes).

Meanwhile, a crazy, mysterious killer is stalking the hospital, killing staff members.

The sceondary cast includes Nancy Marchand as the head nurse, Andrew Duncan, Stephen Elliott, and Tessa Hughes.

In addition to Chayefsky’s Oscar, “The Hospital” garnered a Best Actor nomination for Scott, who won the Oscar the year before for “Patton.”

Oscar Nominations: 2

Original Screenplay: Paddy Chayefsky

Actor: George C. Scott

Oscar Awards: 1

Original Screenplay

Oscar Context

The winner of the Best Actor Oscar was Gene Hackman for “The French Connection,” which also won Best Picture and Best Director.

Rating: PG.

Running time: 103 Minutes.

Released: December 17, 1971

DVD: September 16, 2003