Outbreak: Anatomy of a Plague 2011
Distributed by National Film Board of Canada, 1123 Broadway, Suite 307, New York, NY 10010; 800-542-2164
Produced by Kenneth Hirsch
Directed by Jefferson Lewis
DVD , color, 52 min.
Jr. High - General Adult
Health Sciences, Plague, Smallpox, Quebec History
Date Entered: 01/26/2012
Reviewed by Gerald Notaro, University Librarian, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, University of South Florida, St. PetersburgIf sex sells, fear comes a close second. This documentary opens with stern narration (Colm Feore), sirens, and masked lab researchers meant to grab immediate attention and alert of pandemic H1N1 warnings. Outbreak: Anatomy of a Plague is a sort-of documentary, co-simulating the real, an 1885 smallpox outbreak in Montreal with a modern-day flight attendant experiencing flu-like/chicken pox symptoms. Though she recovers briefly, she infects all around her, no one suspecting smallpox. Every breath from everyone infected spreads the deadly virus. Interspersed with enacted scenes is commentary by actual experts. Their initial concern is that smallpox would never be recognized or diagnosed by contemporary medical personnel. Smallpox has no cure; only vaccination and quarantine are effective controls of the contagion. Without isolation, the virus will quickly spread. Though technically proficient, this documentary is mostly supposition and speculation, and overlong, even in this abridged edition. A marginal purchase.