In a city in South America an outbreak of bubonic plague occurs. While people try to flee and the military close the city, an idealistic doctor decides to stay and help the sick. In the ever-changing circumstances, he puts up a brave fight, being helped by others but also involving them without being able to control the situation.
Acting
Raúl Juliá's twitchy, desperate Cottard steals every scene
Production
Argentina-shot decay feels authentically suffocating
Writing
Adapting Camus for 1992 somehow works and doesn't
Director
Luis Puenzo
William Hurt
Doctor Bernard Rieux
Robert Duvall
Joseph Grand
Raúl Juliá
Cottard
Sandrine Bonnaire
Martine Rambert
Jean-Marc Barr
Jean Tarrou
Victoria Tennant
Alicia Rieux
Jorge Luz
Old Man with the cats
Atilio Veronelli
Dr. Horacio
Francisco Cocuzza
Miguel
Norman Erlich
Dr. Castel
Marcos Woinsky
Doctor Grunewald
Duilio Marzio
Judge Orbon
Horacio Fontova
Attendant
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Puenzos filmed in Argentina during economic crisis; the real decay seeps into every frame. The military presence feels lived-in, not costume.
AR
