The film's themes of ethical integrity, personal responsibility and devotion to duty remain as relevant today as they did a half century ago when the film was released and the novel it is based on was published. Unfortunately, because of cinematic limitations, the film can only give a somewhat superficial treatment of these themes, along with many others that are in Gerald Green's novel but are omitted from the film altogether.
The most glaring examples are the background material on the doctor's life gathered by Thrasher as part of the research for the show. This series of vignettes include his immigration to America, his life as a youth and young man, his studies in medical school, early days in private practice, his betrayal by a trusted colleague, his struggles with depression and attempted suicide, and his deteriorating practice coupled with neighbors who are totally devoid of ethics and scruples. They give a much more complete picture of why the doctor stubbornly clings to his high personal morals at the expense of material betterment, plus Thrasher's ultimate own embracing of these values.
The novel also expands on the power of the new medium of television and the immense power of the spoken word that can be used for good or evil. The little subplots of corporate politicking and backstabbing still have a ring of truth to them some 50 years later.
Finally, the novel offers good social commentary on the changing morals of postwar American society and the emergence of problems that still have eluded solution to this day. Examples include the troubled marriage of Woody and Anne (the pressures to succeed and changing morals of their contemporary sophisticated urban world drive both of them into extramarital affairs, including one between Thrasher and Alice Taggert) plus the expanding juvenile delinquency, drug addiction and social squalor that had started to transform many urban neighborhoods, including the doctor's Brooklyn neighborhood.
Overall, I would heartily encourage those who liked the film to give the novel a look. It will greatly enhance the experience brought by the film and provide a read that although dated, still has a fresh message for today.
The most glaring examples are the background material on the doctor's life gathered by Thrasher as part of the research for the show. This series of vignettes include his immigration to America, his life as a youth and young man, his studies in medical school, early days in private practice, his betrayal by a trusted colleague, his struggles with depression and attempted suicide, and his deteriorating practice coupled with neighbors who are totally devoid of ethics and scruples. They give a much more complete picture of why the doctor stubbornly clings to his high personal morals at the expense of material betterment, plus Thrasher's ultimate own embracing of these values.
The novel also expands on the power of the new medium of television and the immense power of the spoken word that can be used for good or evil. The little subplots of corporate politicking and backstabbing still have a ring of truth to them some 50 years later.
Finally, the novel offers good social commentary on the changing morals of postwar American society and the emergence of problems that still have eluded solution to this day. Examples include the troubled marriage of Woody and Anne (the pressures to succeed and changing morals of their contemporary sophisticated urban world drive both of them into extramarital affairs, including one between Thrasher and Alice Taggert) plus the expanding juvenile delinquency, drug addiction and social squalor that had started to transform many urban neighborhoods, including the doctor's Brooklyn neighborhood.
Overall, I would heartily encourage those who liked the film to give the novel a look. It will greatly enhance the experience brought by the film and provide a read that although dated, still has a fresh message for today.