The Citadel-1938-Robert Donat-Dubjax

An idealistic young doctor (Robert Donat) battling the slum conditions of a Welsh mining village marries the local schoolteacher (Rosalind Russell) and moves to London, where he is corrupted by the moneyed ease of a society practice. Adapted from AJ Cronin's bestseller, this solid MGM drama makes for thoroughly satisfactory viewing. Donat - the handsome British star with the memorable speaking voice who died at 53 from a brain tumour after suffering chronic asthma - is perfectly cast, as are Ralph Richardson as his friend, Cecil Parker as a bungling surgeon and, in smaller roles, Rex Harrison, Emlyn Williams, Mary Clare and Francis L Sullivan. Impeccably directed by King Vidor, the picture was voted the year's best by the New York Film Critics.