The Plague (1992). From Albert Camus to Luis Puenzo

Abstract

The Plague shows how a city’s life is disrupted after an epidemic of plague has been declared. However, the film goes much further than this and reflects how disaster and misfortune can release people’s better feelings and attitudes to struggle against adversity and survive a situation they consider unjust. The main character, Dr. Rieux, remains in the city because to flee would be to desert, and he truly feels the need to fight against such appalling circumstances brought about by the bubonic plague, a plague able to banish the hopes and cull the lives of hundreds of innocent people. Fear stalks the streets but as well as Dr. Rieux there are others willing to stay and combat the horror. The common efforts finally manage to vanquish the evil, to the delight of all. Nevertheless, the doubt remains as to whether the threat remains and might spring up again some time.