Steve McQueen in An enemy of the people

[31cify]

I can't think of any other reason that drove Steve to want to do An Enemy Of The People except to prove, maybe to himself to start with, and maybe to the public too, or to Hollywood, that he was more than just the physical type. It was four years since The Towering Inferno, Steve chose to appear in this movie that dumbfounded the industry. A very odd state of affairs for McQueen.

[eddiejr1o5]

many moons ago, i was blessed to have video taped off of the airwaves, the "Movie Loft" airing of "An Enemy of the People". Some interesting comments were made during the breaks. I hope to transfer it someday.

[peterwatsonkent]

great performance...as always by Mcqueen.

I wish I could watch the entire movie!!!

[Metisse66]

A must have for any Steve McQueen fan is the new book 'Steve McQueen A tribute to the King of Cool' the Special addition included a recording of a 1978 lecture given by McQueen on An Enemy of the People at Loyola Marymount University which is simple fascinating and truly insightful.

[Rexicano]

@Metisse66

Why recommend a disaster for McQueen;

it was terrible.

And the crew were incompetent; never have I seen a Boom Mike appear so often in a film. Ibsen is more like Igmar Bergman territory....and there's even one of his fav actresses in this.

McQueen was out of his element...a great actor for certain type films but for Ibsen...not.

McQueen made too many crap films and his attempt to do an Art film flops. Also sad he was 2 years from death and went for the Quack Doctors in Mexico.

[Bigum99]

In today's world, this issue could be replaced by Global Climate Change. The individual would be Dr. James Hansen, the noted NASA scientist that has been waging a battle to get this issue in front of political action, largely to no avail.

I purchased this DVD and it is worthwhile to vie in total.

[JubalCalif]

Steve McQueen in the right role could be quite effective. It's a real shame that Warner Bros never gave this rarely scene film a wide release. It was obviously a labor of love for the late great Mr McQueen & all those involved.. I'm sure he knew it wouldn't be a box office smash. Thus, one has to admire him for wanting to stretch his wings as an actor. He certainly doesn't look like the McQueen we know with all that long hair, bushy beard & extra poundage! THANKS for posting! :)

[Kelly14UK]

@JubalCalif More art house than box office. Anyway, it's brilliant stuff. Especially liked Glen Garry Glen Ross too.

[JubalCalif]

@Kelly14UK

I second that emotion, Kelly! I admire the late great Mr McQueen for working outside the box! Glen Garry Glen Ross was helped by a powerful script by playwright/screenwriter David Mamet & one of the most talented male casts ever assembled for a 90's movie: Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alan Arkin, Kevin Spacey, Ed Harris, Alec Baldwin, Jonathyn Pryce, etc. THANKS so much for your thoughtful & insightful comment. CHEERS! :)

[TheMaguire33]

we performed this play when i was in college. i played as hovstad. the story is such an inspiration. it's a classic.

[macsm]

interesting. Will have to watch this one...

[goback3spaces]

I saw this whole film back in the day. Was amazed at how good McQueen was as Dr. Stockmann. His style is unaffected, direct, emotionally honest. Makes you wonder what sort of career he might've had if he hadn't spent all his time doing action flicks.

[maureencora1]

Another one of Steve McQueen range as an actor.

[yojisekimoto]

　数名の男が、トーマスにつかみかかる。騒然となる広場。ピーター­が必死に割って入り、男達を止める。

ピーター「もういい、たくさんだ！　静かに！　暴力はいかん！」　それでも仲々おさまらない群衆。

トーマス　「私の口を封じても、全て、他の町の新聞が私の報告書を載せるだ­ろう！」　「ゆるせん」「ひどい」　の怒声。

ホフステッド「あなたはこの町を滅したいんだろう！」　群衆、騒ぐ、一人の男がメモを持って行き、アスラクセンに手渡す­。

トーマス　「この町を繁栄させるために、真実と自由を殺すというなら、いっ­そのこと滅びてしまえ！」

『映画芸術』No.343より

[yojisekimoto]

町民「革命を起したいのか、そうだろ？」

トーマス　「違う！　私は多数が正しい、という嘘に反対しているんだ！　多数は常に間違っている！」　ワー、ワー、と非難の声を挙げる群衆。

トーマス　「イエスの処刑を黙って見ていた多数は正しかったか？　地球が太陽の回りを回っていると誰が信じた？　ただ、ガリレオを笑っただけだ。自分達の誤りに気附くのに五十年­もかかった。いいか、多数は決して正しくないんだ！」

ホフステッド「（出て）私は、−彼の所で何回も食事をした。しか­し、これまでだ！　今日限りで縁を切る！」

草帽子の男「よく言った、ホフステッド！」

トーマス　「私は証明する、水は有毒なのだ！」

[Hendrikdevuile]

This was originally a play by the Norwegian naturalist dramatist Henrik Ibsen. I also thought of "Jaws" when I recognised its origin. In the latter case the town concillors and businessmen don't want to scare away tourists with tales of the man-eating shark, in this case it is a question of hushing up dangerous water-pollution with its probable effects on the revenues of a health resort. A topical subject even if the play was written in 1882(cf. Erin Brockovich,Pelican Brief & A Civil Action)!

[dustinblythe]

In a classic example of right place at the wrong time, this movie was released just before "Jaws", which had a remarkably similar plot. Even McQueen's appearance is similar to Richard Dreyfuss in "Jaws". The studios did not get it and they dumped it. It played well on college campuses, but by the time it hit college towns most of the students were away on break.

[danelectroman70]

yeah, this is a rare one made around the time of his semi-retirement. it was chosen by him not for financial reasons, as he was pretty well off enough to not work then and probably right before his cancer diagnosis. it used to get shown on sunday afternoon tv back in the day. if you find an old video store thats selling its vhs stock you might find a copy.

[Wizzydoofer]

His one and only film as a director, he was good.

[shirazhound]

Didn't direct this, George Schaeffer did. The film McQ was going to direct was called DEAJUM'S WIFE but he never did. I understand the studio and public's reaction to this. Did McQ think this was gonna be a box-office bonanza.Personally, I like the film, but it shoulda been a small Masterpiece Theatre vanity project before he cut his hair, shaved, dropped the beer gut and got down and dirty in a big screen blockbuster

[drainingthepool]

you tell 'em Steve !

[31cify]

@drainingthepool 

[4thtroika]

Where did you get this?