Watch The Young Doctors

The Young Doctors is a 1961 American medical drama film that follows the lives of several young doctors as they navigate their personal and professional struggles in a busy urban hospital. The film stars Fredric March, Ben Gazzara, and Dick Clark in his first dramatic role, and was directed by Phil Karlson. The movie begins with Dr. David Coleman (Fredric March), a seasoned and respected doctor, receiving a call in the middle of the night about a patient who needs immediate surgery. As he rushes to the hospital, the audience is introduced to Dr. Alexander "Alex" Lennox (Ben Gazzara), a young and ambitious surgeon who is confident in his abilities. However, Dr. Lennox's overconfidence leads him to make a mistake during surgery, causing the patient to die. This sets the tone for the rest of the film as the young doctors struggle to balance their professional responsibilities with their personal lives.

The hospital is a bustling and frenetic environment, filled with patients and doctors alike rushing from one emergency to the next. In this setting, the young doctors face a multitude of challenges and ethical dilemmas. For example, Dr. Charles Dornberger (Dick Clark) must choose between his loyalty to his mentor, Dr. Coleman, and his desire for professional advancement. Dr. Lennox must confront his own mortality and the consequences of his actions in the operating room. And Dr. David Coleman is faced with the possibility of retirement as he begins to feel the physical and emotional toll of a lifetime of medical practice.

Throughout the film, the young doctors support and challenge each other as they navigate their personal and professional lives. They form romantic relationships, deal with addiction, and confront the societal biases that affect their patients' care. The film is not without its moments of levity, however. There are humorous interludes in which the doctors rib each other and play pranks, which serve to break up the tense atmosphere of the hospital.

The performances in The Young Doctors are exceptional. Fredric March shines as the stoic and compassionate Dr. Coleman, a man who has dedicated his life to his patients but is beginning to feel the weight of his years. Ben Gazzara is equally impressive as the impulsive and arrogant Dr. Lennox, a man whose ambition threatens to overshadow his talent. And while Dick Clark is better known as a television personality, he delivers a surprisingly nuanced performance as Dr. Dornberger, a young doctor looking to prove himself in the shadow of his mentor.

The film's direction is also noteworthy. Director Phil Karlson treats the hospital as its own character, with sweeping shots of its bustling halls and frenetic operating rooms. He employs a documentary-style approach to capture the chaos and urgency of the medical profession. The film's score, composed by Jerry Goldsmith, is a perfect accompaniment to the frenzied action on screen, heightening the tension and emotion of each scene.

While The Young Doctors is undoubtedly a product of its time, with its occasional sexism and outdated medical practices, it remains a compelling and heartfelt drama. The film's exploration of the relationships between doctors and patients, as well as the ethical dilemmas inherent in the medical profession, is as relevant today as it was in 1961. The Young Doctors is a poignant and thoughtful exploration of the human side of medicine, and is well worth a watch for fans of medical dramas or classic cinema.

The Young Doctors is a 1961 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.