This is a great example of a Dutch "Heimat" film and I am using the German term because it has some traction in English, based on a book I have no yet read, but seeing how it lead to two films, I am going to keep my eyes open if I ever browse a second-hand store again. One first note, there is very little about this film that is saccharine or light-hearted, there is some humor in it, but it mostly deals with the troubles of life, death, suicide, syphilis, gypsies, etc mostly seen from the eyes of a rude, but respected village doctor. The description on the IMDB page is not accurate and I get the impression someone watched the first 15 minutes of the film and then wrote the plot, there is no animosity between the villagers and the doctor, there is no major struggle, his wife dies, he learns he is getting fired and just gives up.