Amazon Sales - Something the Lord Made

List Price: $14.98
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Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
Starring: Alan Rickman, Mos Def, Kyra Sedgwick, Gabrielle Union, Merritt Wever
Directed By: Joseph Sargent

Average Customer Rating:

Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audience Rating: Unrated
Binding: DVD
Brand: Warner Brothers
EAN: 9780783124049
Format: Closed-captioned
ISBN: 078312404X
Label: Hbo Home Video
Manufacturer: Hbo Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Hbo Home Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: 2005-01-25
Running Time: 110
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: 2004-05-30

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Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating:

Summary: Accurate portrayal of genius recognized late
Comment: My interpretation of the title, Something the Lord Made, refers not just to the genuis of the black assistant's (Vivien Thomas played by Mos Def) "feel" for surgery but also to his incredible restraint at the lack of recognition shown by lead surgeon, Dr. Blalock (Alan Rickman). Clearly, the latter's surgical achievements would have been delayed at best if not for the former's unique abilities.

Of particular interest is the response of Blalock to Thomas within the racial/social context of the time (1944). In the film, Blalock excludes Thomas from any social recognition. This occurs most notably following the successful "blue baby" reversal procedure. During the subsequent press conference, Thomas isn't included. Could this have been an innocent omission by Blalock or was Thomas intentionally excluded? The film doesn't provide a definite answer to this important question delving into the character of Dr. Blalock. My opinion: Blalock deliberately excludes Thomas from recognition because he was frightened of having to share his success with a second-class citizen of the time. To admit that a black man orchestrated the preliminary canine-research leading to open-heart surgery was too much for Blalock and the majority of whites in 1944 to swallow. Fortunately, Thomas receives his long-overdue honorary doctorate at the end of the film.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Something the Lord Made
Comment: Es una pelicula mas que excelente, te acoge en su drama y no dejaras de verla hasta el final y te quedaras con ganas de volverla a ver. Cautivara tu corazon, te hara llorar de rabia y de felicidad. Es una pelicula que todos deben de ver, especialmente aquellos que quieran estudiar medicina o a los que son medicos, para que creen la conciencia de la humildad y el servicio humano a los pacientes.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Excellent historical depiction of Hopkins' rise to prominence in heart surgery
Comment: This movie will most likely make you cry. But rest assured, you will have tears of joy

Customer Rating:

Summary: A must see!
Comment: A wonderful true story about surgical pioneers who put aside racial differences to change the face of medicine. It's wonderfully acted and directed as well.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Great movie...
Comment: In a day we some of us take racial equality more for granted, this wonderfully created movie shows how not too long ago, bigotry was quite the norm. Based on a true store of Dr. Blalock's first open heart surgery, this movie will bring appreciation and inspiration to all ages.

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Editorial Reviews:

(Drama) Something the Lord Made tells the emotional true story of two men who defied the rules of their time to launch a medical revolution, set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow south. Working in 1940s Baltimore on an unprecedented technique for performing heart surgery on "blue babies," Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and lab technician Vivien Thomas (Mos Def) form an impressive team. As Blalock and Thomas invent a new field of medicine, saving thousands of lives in the process, social pressures threaten to undermine their collaboration and tear their friendship apart.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Audio commentary with director Joseph Sargent, writer Peter Silverman, executive directors Eric Hetzel and Joseph W. Cort Featurette Making History Slide Show
Featurette
Other:Making History Slide Show