Cry, the Beloved Country
An aspiring young physician, Robert Merivel found himself in the service of King Charles II and saves the life of someone close to the King. Merivel joins the King's court and lives the high life provided to someone of his position. Merivel is ordered to marry his King's mistress in order to divert the queens suspicions. He is given one order by the king and that is not to fall in love. The situation worsens when Merivel finds himself in love with his new wife. Eventually, the King finds out and relieves Merivel of his position and wealth. His fall from grace leaves Merivel where he first started. And through his travels and reunions with an old friend, he rediscovers his love for true medicine and what it really means to be a physician.
"Merivel" (Robert Downey Jnr.) is an aspiring doctor who just happens to be in the right place at the right time. Charles II (Sam Neill) has just been restored to Britain's post-Cromwellian thrones and is rather fond of his spaniel. It's poorly, the doctor makes it better and next thing he's enjoying the life of a libertine at the king's court. Now the king has a reputation as a bit of a Lothario, so he decides to get his favourite physician to marry one of his mistresses so as to turn the he...