Something the Lord Made |  | Actors: Alan Rickman, Mos Def, Kyra Sedgwick, Gabrielle Union, Merritt Wever
Studio: Hbo Home Video
Category: DVD
List Price: $9.98
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Rating:  178 reviews
Sales Rank: 572
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: Unrated
Region: 1
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Running Time: 110 Minutes
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
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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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.
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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Showing reviews 1-5 of 178
Something the Lord Made July 11, 2010
Cousin Will
This is an great film, superbly acted, about the three doctors who pioneered cardiac surgery....Dr. Alfred Blalock (surgeon), Dr. Helen Taussig (pediatric cardiologist), and Dr. Vivien Thomas (Engineering tecnician extrodinaire). This film has special meaning to me because I was one of the "Blue Babies" whose life they saved. Dr. Taussig was my cardiologist and Dr. Blalock was my surgeon. I never knew of the existence of Vivien Thomas until I saw this film. He was an Afican American carpenter who, against all odds, wanted to be a doctor. He eventally acieved his goal at Johns Hopkins Univ. that finally gave him recognition in 1979. Thank you HBO for making this film, otherwise I would never know of Vivien Thomas' contributions. You will deeply enjoy this film and be drawn into it as you watch a white, egotistical surgeon with a warm heart; a priviledged, compassionate woman who wanted to save dying babies; and a gentle spirited, African American with gifted hands overcome the odds against them in 1940's America. What "SomethingThe Lord Made" was these three,wonderful people, and Vivien Thomas' hands.Something the Lord Made
Something the Lord made, indeed June 26, 2010
Kona (Emerald City)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It is 1930 in the deep South, and Vivien Thomas (Mos Def), who always dreamed of becoming a doctor, has just been fired from his job as a carpenter. Hired to clean the lab cages for the arrogant Dr. Blalock (Alan Rickman), Vivien quickly demonstrates a rare affinity for medicine and a knack for making improvised surgical instruments. Blalock appreciates his unusual skills and takes Vivien with him when he moves to Johns Hopkins University, where, together, they work to save dying "blue babies."
It's been a long time since a movie touched me this much. This Emmy-winning HBO film is simply outstanding in every way; the script, based on a true story, is exciting and the actors are all excellent. I got the movie because of Alan Rickman, but it is Mos Def who is the real star. He gives a powerful performance as an idealistic young man hobbled by the injustices of segregation who perseveres to become a respected scientist. Though Vivien never attended college, he helped plan and assisted in the world's first heart bypass surgery to correct blue baby syndrome in 1944.
The Jim Crow era is recreated well, showing such a cruel and hopeless world that Vivien's accomplishments are nothing short of amazing. This is an exceptional movie, guaranteed to have you reaching for the tissues. Highly recommended.
Vivian Thomas ~ a true pioneer for his time May 25, 2010
country girl
I had never heard of Dr. Vivian Thomas before seeing this movie even though I work in the medical field. I have no doubt that if Dr. Thomas had become an M.D. he would have been known as one of the great heart surgeons of our time! A wonderful and moving performance by Mos Def, one very talented actor! This is a must see movie. I loaned this DVD to a University professor and she said she was going to discuss Dr. Vivian Thomas in one of her seminars.
Very inspiring message.... May 18, 2010
aquamarine (nashville, tn)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As a healthcare professional, I was very inspired to watch this story unfold. It is almost unreal that there was so much limited knowledge about the heart and not that long ago. We have progressed by leaps and bounds, and it's due to this research that was portrayed in this movie. Great movie!
great product May 10, 2010
M. Anderson
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I needed the copy for my library and my class. I needed expedited shipping. The DVD came as needed and was in great condition.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 178
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