The Best of Men is a British historical drama (based on a true story) which premiered on British television (BBC) in 2012. It is the story of the man who founded the Paralympic Games.
Here is some basic information about this drama:
** Directed by Tim Whitby
** Screenplay written by Lucy Gannon
** Musical score composed by Mark Russell
** Released on DVD in 2013
** Run time: 90 minutes
The cast includes the following:
The first group
** Eddie Marsan as Dr Ludwig Guttmann (1899-1980)
** George McKay as Private William Heath
** Bob Brydon as Corporal Wynne Bowen
** Richard McCabe as Dr Cowan
The second group
** Leigh Quinn as Nurse Carr
** Niamh Cusack as Sister Edwards
** Nicholas Jones as General Blake
** Tracy-Ann Oberman as Else Guttmann – Ludwig’s wife
This drama is the story of the man who founded the Stoke Mandeville Games for Disabled Persons which later developed into the Paralympic Games.
His name is Ludwig Guttmann.
He was a Jewish doctor – a neurologist - who managed to escape from Nazi Germany in 1939, shortly before the outbreak of World War II. He settled with his family in England.
In 1943, he was asked to establish a department for patients with spinal injuries at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The department opened in 1944.
This drama covers a short but highly significant part of his life: the time from 1944 to 1948.
The story begins when Guttmann arrives at the hospital in 1944 and ends when the first Stoke Mandeville Games for Disabled Persons are held in 1948, while the Olympic Games are held in London.
The Best of Men - an unusual movie about an unusual topic - is captivating, dramatic, as well as emotional.
The script is well-written and the actors play their
roles well. In addition, it is based on a true story.
While praising the movie in general, I have to emphasize two factors which give it an incredible drive and power:
The first factor is the actor Eddie Marsan who looks like the real Doctor Guttmann and who is very convincing in this role.
The second factor is the musical score composed by Mark Russell which supports the general story very well.
At this point, I think it is time to explain the title. During a staff meeting at the hospital, Dr Guttmann proposes to hold the Stoke Mandeville Games for Disabled Persons.
His colleague Dr Cowan is against it. He says the Olympic Games are for those who are the best in running, the best in jumping, and so on.
What about Dr Guttmann’s patients?
In which field are they the best?
Guttmann’s answer is short and to the point:
“They are the best of men.”
This movie is a powerful combination of sadness and fun. The patients are sad, because their spinal cord has been injured. Guttmann tries to help them.
He gives them a purpose. He gives them hope. He gives them something to live for. He brings fun into their lives again. He cares for them, but he is also honest - sometimes brutally honest – with them.
He realises sport can be a way to help these patients come back to life. He puts them in wheelchairs and soon they are shooting with bow and arrows, throwing javelins and even playing basketball.
This is a great drama!
I think it will make a big impression on you.
What do reviewers say about it?
On IMDb it has a rating of 79 per cent.
On Amazon there are at the moment more than 250 ratings of this product, more than 100 with reviews.
The average rating is 4.5 stars which corresponds to a rating of 90 percent.
I understand the numerous positive reviews and I agree with them.
I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars (100 percent).
PS. For more information, see the following items:
Spirit of Stoke Mandeville:
The Story of Sir Ludwig Guttmann
by Susan Goodman
(1986)
Hitler’s Gift: The True Story of the
Scientists Expelled by the Nazi Regime
by Jean Medawar and David Pyke
(2012)
*****
The Best of Men
A historical drama which
premiered on British television
(BBC) in 2012
*****
The German doctor who
escaped from Nazi Germany and
came to the UK where he founded
the Paralympic Games
Ludwig Guttmann
(1899-1980)
*****
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