A ★★★★½ review of Life for Ruth (1962) (original) (raw)

★★★★½

Reza Said’s review published on Letterboxd:

Life For Ruth (Basil Dearden, 1962) 9/10

Dearden continues with his series of films on social issues - racial prejudice in "Sapphire" (1959), homosexuality in "Victim" (1961) and here he tackles the conflict of religion and medical ethics in a heartrending but thought provoking drama. A young child is injured in a boating accident. The doctor (Patrick McGoohan) requests permission to give the child a blood transfusion in order to save her life but the girl's father (Michael Craig) refuses on religious grounds. The hapless mother (Janet Munro) reluctantly stands by her husband but secretly goes to the hospital to give permission. She is too late and the child dies. The doctor files suit and the child's father is brought on trial for manslaughter. Superbly acted film explores the moral issues of the right of religion deciding over human life. The tightly written screenplay - based on a true case and on a book - strives to present all the points of view in a fair and compelling manner without resorting to condemn or ridicule religion. A deeply disturbing but ultimately satisfying film.