Heavy-handed adaptation of the Henrik Ibsen play (which is no comedy to begin with). McQueen took a chance getting away from his action roles to portray a noble 19th-century doctor but it doesn't work. Thomas (McQueen) learns the local tannery is contaminating the water in the hot springs that brings tourists into the town. His brother, the mayor (Durning), warns him to keep quiet but Thomas can't and ends up the town pariah.