CBHD often receives requests from educators and other individuals for popular resources that engage bioethics through various media (fiction, film, and television). In this edition, we offer a recap of materials relevant to clinical ethics that have premiered on the silver screen or television. Readers are cautioned that the films represent a wide variety of genres and may not be appropriate for all audiences. The reason for the rating classification is provided where available. Viewers are encouraged to read annotations/synopses available through such websites as www.movieweb.com or www.imdb.com. If there is a film you think we missed, email us at info@cbhd.org.

Clinical Ethics

• Awakenings (Released 12/90, PG-13) 
• A Clockwork Orange (Released 2/72, R)
• The Constant Gardener (Released 8/05, R for language, some violent images and sexual content/nudity)
• Doc Hollywood (Released 8/91, PG-13)
• The Doctor (Released 7/91, PG-13)
• Dying Young (Released 6/91, R)
• Elephant Man (Released 10/80, PG)
• Extreme Measures (Released 9/96, R for violence, language, some nudity, and graphic ER activity)
• Heartsounds (Released 9/84, PG)
• The Hospital (Released 9/72, PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual content and drug references)
• K-Pax (Released 10/01, PG-13 for a sequence of violent images, brief language, and sensuality)
• Losing Isaiah (Released 3/95, R for drug related material and brief strong language)
• Miss Evers' Boys (Released 2/97, PG for theme and related elements)
• My Sister's Keeper (Released 6/09, PG-13 for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, sensuality, language, and brief teen drinking)
• Passion Fish (Released 10/92, R)
• A Place for Annie (Released 5/94, PG for thematic elements and language)
• Regarding Henry (Released 7/91, PG-13)
• Something the Lord Made (Released 5/04, NR)
• The Verdict (Released 8/82, R)

Patient’s Rights / Informed Consent

• Children of a Lesser God (Released 10/86, R)
• Coming Home (Released 2/79, R)
• Do You Remember Love? (Released 5/85, NR)
• Elephant Man (Released 10/80, PG)
• Erin Brockovich (Released 3/00, R for language)
• Good Will Hunting (Released 1/98, R for strong language, including some sex-related dialogue)
• Iris (Released 1/02, R)
• Miss Evers’ Boys (Released 2/97, PG for theme and related elements)
• My Left Foot (Released 10/89, R)
• My Life (Released 11/93, PG-13 for mature subject matter)
• Normal (Released 1/03, NR)
• One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Released 2/76, R)
• Philadelphia (Released 12/93, PG-13 for some graphic language and thematic material)
• Rain Man (Released 12/88, R)
• When a Man Loves a Woman (Released 3/94, R for language)

Updated January 2012