Stigma

I recently watched Stigma (1972) on Tubi. The storyline centers on a small, isolated town that welcomes a new Black doctor. He offers medical services for little to no cost as he tries to build up his practice. When he uncovers a deadly outbreak of venereal disease spreading through the community, he does his best to educate the townspeople. But the question looms: will they listen to a Black doctor?

The film is written and directed by David E. Durston (I Drink Your Blood) and stars Philip Michael Thomas (Miami Vice), Josie Johnson (Fingers), Peter Clune (Blast of Silence), and Diane Baker (Marnie).

Imagine an entire movie built around the premise of venereal disease-definitely not what I was expecting. The film opens strong with a memorable scene involving an old man, and there's a wild sex education video that stands out. The classroom segments discussing STDs are surprisingly bold, and the main character's efforts are easy to root for. There's also a solid test scene with the old man and some nice moments of camaraderie throughout.

In conclusion, Stigma is a unique and unpredictable film. It wasn't what I expected, but it held my attention. I'd give it a 6/10.

Phillip Michael Thomas is superb as a doctor trying to stop the outbreak of a major epidemic. The fight scenes are great, the prostitutes are hilarious, as well as the sheriff. The actor playing the deranged lighthouse keeper is absolutely stunning. His portray was absolutely Oscar worthy (supporting). The death scene on the lighthouse was well played. I would have focused more on the sheriff's slutty daughter, however not every screenplay can be perfect. This is a great film to watch on a Sunday afternoon. The DVD print is a bit scratched, however legible. I give this film ***** this film should be studied in film school. Bravo

A young black doctor (Philip Michael Thomas), who made the mistake of performing an abortion that went wrong, travels to an isolated coastal community for a gig with a mentor whereupon he faces unforeseen challenges, including prejudice and a mysterious outbreak.

"Stigma" (1972) is a drama with some seedy aspects despite taking place in a traditional white bread community. While not a blaxploitation flick, the protagonist angle was obviously influenced by that genre, à la the soon-to-come "The Beast Must Die." The set-up is reminiscent of "In the Heat of the Night" with some elements that would influence "The Wicker Man," which (surprisingly) wouldn't debut until the next year. Then there's the youthful "free love" aspect of, say, "The Harrad Experiment," which also came out the next year.

The film features a little comedy, an anti-racist message, a bit o' softcore nudity and some thrills in the last act, but the public service announcement concerning VD is laid on a little too thick. Less is more. Still, Philip Michael Thomas is very good as the protagonist and seems older than 22 (which was his age during shooting).

At the end of the day, it's an interesting window into life in America in 1971, when the flick was shot. The zenith of the "free love" counterculture era was just two years prior and "Stigma" shockingly shows the natural consequences of that mentality and lifestyle.

The writer/director took a maverick Indie approach to the material and should've gone on to greatness, but he didn't, unfortunately. Thankfully, we have this unique flick to remember him by.

The movie runs 1 hour, 33 minutes, and was shot entirely in Massachusetts-Cambridge, Boston, Cape Cod (island town) and Nantucket.

GRADE: B-

Philip Michael Thomas gives a surprisingly good performance as Calvin Crosse, a doctor fresh out of prison for performing an illegal abortion. Crosse has been given a second chance by his former teacher, who is conducting some sort of research on an island. Unfortunately, Crosse arrives at the island, inhabited by redneck fishermen distrustful of outsiders, to find his mentor dead and a mystery about some contagion that is ravaging the island. Of course, the audience soon figures out what that contagion is.

Stigma is a slow burn film that is somewhat better made than what many would be viewers might think. Many viewers (including this one) approach this film to see the type of over the top thrills of I Drink Your Blood, Stigma director David Durston's rabies movie. However, Stigma is more concerned with characters and capturing the local atmosphere of the island. There are concessions to cheap thrills of course. The most obvious example is the inclusion of a documentary on the long term effects of untreated syphilis, found footage which will have some audience members gagging.

Stigma is no lost classic, but a viewer could do much worse. While episodic at times, Stigma holds the viewer's interest for most of its running time. This is largely because of Philip Michael Thomas, an underrated actor giving it his all in the role of Calvin Crosse.

This is a VERY unusual one - nothing psychedelic or bizarre or even 'out there', just atypical, unique. I wouldn't call it a thriller at all. I see some people call it exploitation - no, it's really not at all either, though I can see how it can be confusing with a bit of its style and content. This is just a drama with a small budget, a few 'tense' moments, and a nonchalance and unusual frankness with its nudity and sexual content. It has a clear primary goal that it achieves unquestionably and admirably: to inform about a serious topic whilst still being entertaining and interesting - it also wants to do that while being a compelling drama, and it does and is. I actually picked this thinking it was going to be meh and being okay falling asleep to it, but it grabbed me and had me the whole time.

There were times when the directing felt amateurish, like he was a bit out of his depth and either didn't know what he was going for or didn't know how to achieve what he was going for, but it didn't at all detract from the movie and actually gave it a bit of charm. Then there were times (much more of these) that it was handled with such a deft touch I was impressed and taken slightly aback.

This movie did at least a handful of things I've not seen done in a movie before. Highly recommended for anyone all of that sounds good to. Not to hype it or anything, it's still just a 'good' movie.

6.5/10