Hospital (1970 film)

Hospital, also known as Hospital: A Film by Frederick Wiseman, is a 1970 direct cinema documentary film directed by Frederick Wiseman. The film provides an unedited, observational look inside the Metropolitan Hospital in New York City, a large public hospital serving a predominantly poor and minority community in East Harlem.

The film explores the daily operations of the hospital, showcasing the interactions between doctors, nurses, patients, and administrators. It does not offer a narrative in the traditional sense, but rather presents a series of vignettes that capture the challenges and complexities of providing healthcare in an under-resourced environment.

Viewers witness a wide range of medical situations, from routine check-ups to emergency room crises, births, and deaths. The film also highlights the social and economic factors that contribute to the patients' health problems, such as poverty, drug addiction, and inadequate housing.

Hospital is considered a significant work of documentary filmmaking and a powerful commentary on the state of healthcare in America at the time of its release. It is notable for its unflinching portrayal of the realities faced by both healthcare providers and patients in a large urban hospital. The film received critical acclaim for its realism and its ability to provoke thought and discussion about important social issues. It is part of Wiseman's body of work examining institutions and their impact on individuals and society.