Biyograficim
İbni Sina: Hekim

The Physician (Der Medicus)

Movie · 2013 · 4 people

Philipp Stölzl directed İbni Sina: Hekim, known internationally as The Physician (German: Der Medicus), a German adventure and historical drama from 2013. It adapts Noah Gordon's 1986 novel of the same name, which sold more than 21 million copies worldwide, and is in English. It opened in German cinemas on 25 December 2013, was sold to 21 countries, and earned its producers a Bogey Award for reaching one million viewers in its first ten days.

The story is set in the 11th century. Young Rob Cole has a natural gift, and his mother dies of a mysterious illness. Bader (Stellan Skarsgård) persuades him to leave, and on the road the boy learns juggling tricks and various medical methods. Eventually this is not enough, so Rob turns towards Persia, to the school of the great physician Ibn Sina in Isfahan, where being a Christian bars his way. Tom Payne plays Rob, Ben Kingsley is Ibn Sina and Olivier Martinez is Shah Ala ad-Daula; Fahri Yardım, Makram Khoury and Ercan Durmaz are also in the cast.

Stölzl co-wrote the script with Jan Berger, and UFA was involved in production. An extended two-part version aired on Das Erste on 29 and 30 December 2014. Payne and Stölzl reunited for the sequel Der Medicus 2 (2025).

DirectorPhilipp Stölzl
Production companyUFA

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Cast

Only cast members with a profile on this site are listed.

Tom Payne Tom Payne Actor · 43 years old Fahri Yardım Fahri Yardım Actor · 46 years old Makram Khoury Makram Khoury Film actor · 81 years old Ercan Durmaz Ercan Durmaz Actor · 61 years old

Titles sharing this cast

Through different eyes

History & Society Lens Asks about the period, the social background and what the work reflects.

For anyone curious about how knowledge travelled between faiths and regions in the 11th century, the film offers an engaging frame. Ibn Sina's school in Isfahan is portrayed as one of the great centres of learning of its day, while the obstacles facing a young Christian who wants to study there show how religious identity could decide who got an education. It is worth remembering, though, that the story comes from Noah Gordon's novel and Rob Cole is the novel's hero. Ibn Sina was a real historical figure, but the world around him here is a novelist's interpretation. Better watched as an adventure fed by history than as a history lesson.

Action & Thriller Fan Puts pace, tension and set pieces first; little patience for slow drama.

If you like a road story, this one flows nicely. Rob's journey, the juggling tricks, the route that stretches all the way to Persia: every stop brings a new place and a new obstacle. It is not a classic battle film, but the dose of adventure is just right. The pace seems to dip in some of the drama-heavy stretches. Once Ben Kingsley's Ibn Sina enters, the film takes on a whole different weight.

Family Viewer Asks whether the whole household can watch it; cares about humour and heart.

A historical adventure that works well with teenagers. Its curiosity about learning, knowledge and medicine sends a lovely message. There is illness and death in it, though: early on, Rob's mother dies of a mysterious disease. Some heavy moments may upset young children. Better suited to kids of middle-school age and up, and to adults. The film is in English, so keep that in mind too.

These are not reader reviews: they are short editorial takes written from different viewer perspectives with AI assistance. Reader reviews are below.

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