Hoxsey: How Healing Becomes a Crime

Hoxsey: How Healing Becomes a Crime is a 1988 groundbreaking documentary that scrutinizes the long-standing clash between orthodox and alternative medicine. Directed by Ken Ausubel and featuring interviews with Peter Barry Chowka and Max Gail, this film is an in-depth exploration of a controversial cancer treatment that was developed by Harry Hoxsey, an American entrepreneur.

The film presents the saga of the Hoxsey Therapy, a natural cure for cancer championed by Harry Hoxsey in the early 20th century. Hoxsey claimed to have a herbal remedy, passed down through his family, capable of treating some types of cancers. His claims, however, were vehemently repudiated by the American Medical Association (AMA). This scuffle between the establishment and alternative medicine is the pivotal theme of the documentary, rung out clearly in the film’s subtitle: "How Healing Becomes a Crime".

The movie delves deep into the roots of the feud, meticulously tracing Hoxsey's journey from the establishment of his first clinic in 1924 to the eventual closure of all his clinics in the United States under the pressure from the authorities and American Medical Association. Hoxsey, a non-physician, became famously referred to as the ‘quack’ in the medical world, his treatments consistently questioned and ridiculed by official medicine.

Through the interviews of Peter Barry Chowka, a medical journalist, and Max Gail, an actor as well as a passionate advocate for holistic healing methods, the documentary provides valuable perspectives on this clash of beliefs. Chowka adds the depth of investigation and presents an impartial look at both sides of the controversy, providing the facts while leaving the audience to draw their own conclusions. On the other hand, Gail infuses a more personal element into the narrative with his emotional stories of fighting the establishment for the right of patients to choose their own treatment paths.

While the movie certainly looks at the pitfalls and the potential dangers of unregulated alternative treatments, it also forcefully questions the monopoly of orthodox medicine and the role of giant pharmaceutical companies in defining what is considered valid treatment. The film isn’t so much a clear endorsement of the Hoxsey Therapy as it is a critique of the medical establishment's antagonistic stance towards alternative medicine. It raises substantial questions about the right to health and freedom of choice in medical treatment, bringing the audience face to face with issues that are still relevant today.

Supported by archival footage and interviews with patients, scientists, doctors, and Hoxsey himself, the documentary presents a balanced and comprehensive perspective of this ongoing controversy. Notably, the film also follows Mildred Nelson, Hoxsey’s nurse who moved the treatment to a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico after the closure of the U.S clinics. This move essentially turned a local controversy into a global one, further complicating the narrative and adding another layer to the discussion.

The narrative style of the movie is engaging, blending personal stories with a hard-hitting examination of the medical industry. While it makes for an emotional journey, it’s the larger context of this personal battle that gives the film its real weight. The story serves as a provoking launch-pad into a broader critique of the power dynamics inherent within the medical field.

Overall, Hoxsey: How Healing Becomes a Crime is by no means a light watch, but it rewards viewers with its detailed examination of a fascinating piece of medical history and a multi-faceted debate that continues to rage on. It's a serious, thought-provoking film that challenges viewers to question their preconceptions about medicine, health care, and the complex dance between politics and health.