Something the Lord Made | 
| Director: Joseph Sargent
Actors: Alan Rickman, Mos Def, Kyra Sedgwick, Gabrielle Union, Merritt Wever
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $6.75
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Avg. Customer Rating:  141 reviews
Sales Rank: 2546
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Rating: Unrated
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 110
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: HBOD92461D
ISBN: 078312404X
UPC: 026359246128
EAN: 9780783124049
ASIN: B00067BCBI
Theatrical Release Date: May 30, 2004
Release Date: January 25, 2005
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Shipping: International shipping available
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Product Description
The emotional true story of two men who defied the rules of their time to launch a medical revolution. Working in the 1940s baltimore on an unprecedented technique for performing heart surgery on blue babies. As the men invent a new field of medicine social pressures threaten to tear them apart. Studio: Hbo Home Video Release Date: 01/16/2007 Starring: Alan Rickman Mary Stuart Masterson Run time: 110 minutes Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
Something the Lord Made recounts the relationship between Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and Vivian Thomas (Mos Def). It begins in 1930s Nashville when imperious cardiac surgeon Blalock hires Thomas, an African American carpenter, as his janitor. When the latter reveals a passion for medicine and facility with surgical instruments, Blalock promotes him to lab tech. Thomas isn't given a raise, works side jobs to make ends meet, and is expected to be grateful. Along the way, he follows Blalock from Vanderbilt to Johns Hopkins, where they save thousands of lives through their pioneering work, but will Thomas ever get any credit? The film provides a satisfying answer to that question. Joseph Sargent (A Lesson Before Dying) directs with subtlety and intelligence, while Rickman and Mos Def are in top form, often underplaying where most actors would do otherwise. Something the Lord Made won the 2004 Emmy for outstanding made-for-TV movie. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
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| Customer Reviews: Read 136 more reviews...
Accurate portrayal of genius recognized late January 3, 2009
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.
Something the Lord Made December 23, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
Excellent historical depiction of Hopkins' rise to prominence in heart surgery December 22, 2008
This movie will most likely make you cry. But rest assured, you will have tears of joy
A must see! December 20, 2008
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.
Great movie... December 20, 2008
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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