The Hospital
United Artists | Release Date: December 14, 1971 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
72
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews
Positive:
4
Mixed:
3
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Rolling StonePeter Travers
This blisteringly cynical satire, written by Paddy Chayefsky, is one of the darkest movies ever made, a cold-eyed lament for a society torn apart by upheavals of the Sixties. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
It has been criticized for switching tone in midstream, but maybe it's only heading for deeper, swifter waters. Read full review
75
TV Guide MagazineStaff (Not Credited)
The laughs are sardonic, and the reality of Chayefsky's heavy-handed message (i.e., hospitals treat their patients badly) eats away at the viewer. But even when it falls flat, it's still an interesting watch. Read full review
70
The New York TimesVincent Canby
Although Mr. Chayefsky has written a very contemporary melodramatic farce, his political sympathies have their roots in the liberalism of 20 years ago. Read full review
60
The New YorkerPauline Kael
The picture strains for seriousness now and then, but even when it makes a fool of itself it's still funny.
50
Time OutStaff (Not Credited)
It starts off with some marvellously cruel moments, and Scott's performance towers over the proceedings throughout. But Hiller's direction is pretty shoddy, while the script eventually loses its way and begins to look increasingly hysterical, at the same time shamelessly trivialising Scott's crisis. Read full review
50
VarietyStaff (Not Credited)
The heavily sprayed-on sociological angle is that hospitals today treat patients like baggage. Read full review
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