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Morality thriller. When John Harris's (Michael Craig) daughter is injured in a boating accident, only a blood transfusion will save her. Unfortunately, this goes against his religious beliefs, and as a result the child dies. Taken to court by local Dr. Brown (Patrick McGoohan), Harris eventually wins the case, but at what cost.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Really quality handling of a sensitive theme - is it (again) a Basil Dearden directed early 60's feature? If it is (I think so) it follows on soon after "Victim" with Dirk Bogarde which looked face-on at the issue of blackmail against gays in the post war Britain of 50's & early 60's. Like Victim we have a situation that seems unjust and needing addressing and a committed decent professional (here its Patrick McGoohan) decides to take the issue on in "vigilante" fashion. But there are no villains here - the "fanatic" here (today we would use the term high commitment group member or something like that) played by Michael Craig is also a victim as his daughter Ruth (and all associated with the event) and the film shows this. No particular group is attacked, its just that the church group Michael Craig belongs to are "bible literalists" who see the Old Testament command to drain blood from any animal before it is eaten (and an all too brief mention of this in the book of Acts (Acts 15 I think) to mean that blood transfusions are out. The arguments used are still used today and well-put but the court scene at the end where Craig has to defend himself & his faith is the "crucible" and the key point of the film.
I felt that this was an excellent film and the performances - Craig especially - were superb. This is an unjustly forgotten film.
I felt that this was an excellent film and the performances - Craig especially - were superb. This is an unjustly forgotten film.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Zordana
I first saw this wonderful film back in the 60's and i've never forgotten it. Absolutely brilliant then and now. Haven't been able to find it anywhere until i spotted it on Amazon - well done, you've made an old lady very happy. LOL
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By C. Kingswell
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
'Life For Ruth' is a very well-written and thought-provoking film. Christian Scientists and Jehovah's Witnesses believe that blood transfusions go against God's law. They rely on an interpretation of the Bible ( Acts 15 : 19-21 ) which states that '( the Gentiles ).. should abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood'. Most of us, I assume, would interpret abstaining from blood as not eating or drinking blood, but, as mentioned in the film, the meaning of the word 'eat' in the original Hebrew scriptures is 'to absorb into the body'. Therefore, both these religious sects believe abstaining from blood includes blood transfusions.
Michael Craig and Janet Munro play the parents of Ruth, an 8-year-old girl whose life becomes threatened and can only be saved if she has a blood transfusion. Her father refuses to give his permission and, although her mother relents shortly afterwards, it is too late and the child dies. Patrick McGoohan plays the doctor who is so outraged that he has the father brought before the Court on a charge of manslaughter.
There have been numerous real-life cases where a child has died because of the parents' beliefs. Their argument is that, in allowing a blood transfusion, they are denying the child eternal life after death.
Michael Craig and Janet Munro play the parents of Ruth, an 8-year-old girl whose life becomes threatened and can only be saved if she has a blood transfusion. Her father refuses to give his permission and, although her mother relents shortly afterwards, it is too late and the child dies. Patrick McGoohan plays the doctor who is so outraged that he has the father brought before the Court on a charge of manslaughter.
There have been numerous real-life cases where a child has died because of the parents' beliefs. Their argument is that, in allowing a blood transfusion, they are denying the child eternal life after death.
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