A black doctor battles prejudice and a deadly epidemic in a hostile small town.
STIGMA
The curse that begins with a kiss.
A black doctor ex-convict returns to the all-white town he knows as home and discovers a deadly disease threatening the citizens. He must fight prejudice and time if he is to save the town.
Quick Answer
Stigma is a 1972 American crime drama thriller directed by David E. Durston about a black doctor confronting a deadly outbreak of syphilis and racial hostility in a remote California town.
Programmer's Pick
Stigma delivers a heady mix of medical menace and small-town paranoia, with Philip Michael Thomas tackling both a virulent outbreak and virulent racism. David E. Durston steers this exploitation drama into uncomfortably relevant territory—think white coats, white lies, and very little neighborly love.
— SassyFlix Programmer
Overview
Why This Matters
Stigma features early work from Philip Michael Thomas, more than a decade before his breakout role on Miami Vice, and explores themes of racism and sexually transmitted disease under the direction of David E. Durston.
Cast & Crew
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Why Cult
A super form of syphilis threatens a town, and the hunt for the carrier drives the tense plot.
The film foregrounds the struggles of a black doctor confronting open racism and institutional resistance.
A conspiracy of silence and a bigoted sheriff add layers of intrigue and menace to this rural setting.
Expect elements of sexual aggression, nudity, and a raw approach to taboo subjects characteristic of early '70s exploitation cinema.
Scene Gallery
Threat File
Questions from the Vault
Who directed Stigma? +
Stigma was directed by David E. Durston.
When was Stigma released? +
Stigma was released in 1972.
How long is Stigma? +
Stigma has a runtime of 93 minutes.
What genre is Stigma? +
Stigma is a crime, drama, mystery, and thriller film.
Where can I watch Stigma? +
Stigma is available to stream on SassyFlix.
