Crisis (1950)

Crisis is a 1950 drama film about an American couple who become embroiled in a revolution. It was based on the short story "The Doubters" by George Tabori.

Dr. Eugene Ferguson (Cary Grant), a renowned American brain surgeon, and his wife Helen (Paula Raymond) are vacationing in Latin America when a revolution breaks out. They are taken against their will to the country's dictator, Raoul Farrago (José Ferrer), who urgently needs a life-saving operation. Over the next few days, while Ferguson trains assistants for the operation, he witnesses various acts of brutality by the regime, especially by Colonel Adragon (Ramón Novarro), but his Hippocratic Oath compels him to do his best.

Roland Gonzales (Gilbert Roland), the rebel leader, kidnaps Helen to pressure her husband into making a fatal surgical "mistake", but his message to Ferguson is intercepted by Isabel Farrago (Signe Hasso), the patient's wife, and the operation is a success. Fortunately for the doctor, Helen is released unharmed when Farrago dies soon afterwards and his government is overthrown.

This is an interesting and thought-provoking story. Even though it was made in 1950, many of the statements and circumstances are timely to the world today. Dictators still rule and are also overthrown. But are their replacements any better than they were? And what about the medical oath that doctors take? Are they bound to save the life of even the worst tyrant?

Cary Grant is a likeable Dr. Ferguson. He goes about his daily life with a sense of calmness and understanding. Even though he is troubled by the situation, he remains calm, cool, and collected. Jose Ferrer as Farrago shows here once again his greatest acting capability.