The Physician (2013)

The Physician (2013) is a historical drama film directed by Philipp Stölzl, based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Noah Gordon. The film is set in the 11th century and follows the journey of a young man from medieval England who seeks to become a physician in a time when medical knowledge was rudimentary and much of it was based on superstition and religious dogma.

Plot Overview:
The story centers around Rob Cole, a young orphan who grows up in medieval England during the time of the Middle Ages. After the death of his parents from the plague, Rob is taken in by a barber-surgeon, Barak, who teaches him the basics of medicine and surgery. Rob, fascinated by medicine and determined to become a physician, learns that the healing practices of the time are often primitive, and he dreams of a life that can offer him more knowledge and a deeper understanding of the human body.

Rob’s journey takes him to the heart of the Muslim world, where medicine is far more advanced. The film depicts his travels from England to Persia (modern-day Iran), where he studies under the guidance of Ibn Sina, a famous physician, philosopher, and scholar of the time. Ibn Sina (played by Stellan Skarsgård) is depicted as a learned and enlightened figure, possessing medical knowledge far ahead of its time.

In his pursuit of knowledge, Rob faces numerous challenges, including the danger of his journey, religious and cultural barriers, and the moral dilemmas that arise as he must navigate his personal beliefs and the choices that define his future. Along the way, Rob becomes entangled in a forbidden romance with Mary (played by Emma Rigby), a young woman who is part of a secretive religious community.