It's set in 1949-1952 in New York, Germany, and Gabon. It's a biopic of several years in the life of an older Albert Schweitzer when he became involved anti-H-bomb movement along with contemporaries like Albert Einstein and Robert Oppenheimer.
Albert Schweitzer (Jeroen Krabbé) and his wife, Helene (Barbara Hershey), travel to New York to raise money for his hospital at Lambaréné, Gabon. He is welcomed by a hero, but some begin to criticize his close friendship with Albert Einstein (Armin Rohde), who had publicly criticized the development of the H-bomb. The Schweitzers are accompanied in their fundraising by a fictional French photographer, Thérèsa Bourdin (Judith Godrèche), an admirer. In addition, a fictional promoter named Phil Figgis (Samuel West) attaches himself to the group, claiming he can help raise money for the hospital, though we soon learn he has other motives.
Through flashbacks, we learn a bit about the early vision of Schweitzer's work in Gabon, but more time is spent on the growing issues that Schweitzer faces. Some dissent within his staff about the quality of care provided by the hospital and concern about the impact on the hospital arising from Schweitzer's increasing political commentary on the bomb.
Albert Schweitzer's difficult relationship with his wife, Helene, and daughter, Rhena (Jeanette Hain), and his paternalism towards his staff and patients is not avoided. The efforts of the "provisional government" in the French territory of Gabon to close the hospital are also shown in the activities of a fictional Louis Ngouta (Patrice Naiambana). More positively, Schweitzer's "reverence for life" philosophy is also on display.
This is a remarkably good movie that deserved more significant exposure. It's a German-South African production mainly in English, but with some French dialogue. Krabbé and Hershey do well, but I think the script is the most substantial part of the movie. It does not contain a lot of "action," but the various plot threads are weaved successfully.
This is the 16th in my list of movies in which pacifists are primary characters.
Albert Schweitzer (Jeroen Krabbé) and his wife, Helene (Barbara Hershey), travel to New York to raise money for his hospital at Lambaréné, Gabon. He is welcomed by a hero, but some begin to criticize his close friendship with Albert Einstein (Armin Rohde), who had publicly criticized the development of the H-bomb. The Schweitzers are accompanied in their fundraising by a fictional French photographer, Thérèsa Bourdin (Judith Godrèche), an admirer. In addition, a fictional promoter named Phil Figgis (Samuel West) attaches himself to the group, claiming he can help raise money for the hospital, though we soon learn he has other motives.
Through flashbacks, we learn a bit about the early vision of Schweitzer's work in Gabon, but more time is spent on the growing issues that Schweitzer faces. Some dissent within his staff about the quality of care provided by the hospital and concern about the impact on the hospital arising from Schweitzer's increasing political commentary on the bomb.
Albert Schweitzer's difficult relationship with his wife, Helene, and daughter, Rhena (Jeanette Hain), and his paternalism towards his staff and patients is not avoided. The efforts of the "provisional government" in the French territory of Gabon to close the hospital are also shown in the activities of a fictional Louis Ngouta (Patrice Naiambana). More positively, Schweitzer's "reverence for life" philosophy is also on display.
This is a remarkably good movie that deserved more significant exposure. It's a German-South African production mainly in English, but with some French dialogue. Krabbé and Hershey do well, but I think the script is the most substantial part of the movie. It does not contain a lot of "action," but the various plot threads are weaved successfully.
This is the 16th in my list of movies in which pacifists are primary characters.