A Decent Bio Of An Important Man
Added 5/28/2009
This was a pretty interesting historical account of the man who first discovered that microbes - germs - were the cause of many sicknesses. Dr. Louis Pasteur then went about to make changes so these germs were not so prevalent and causing so much sickness. We can thank him for "pasteurization."
Paul Muni does a fine job of playing the title role. He seemed to always play intense roles. The story is very frustrating, however, as we watch "Pasteur" become the target of an ignorant medical profession at the time, constantly trying to discredit the famous man's work. We know, of course, through history that he was right so to listen to his naysayers go on and on and on is frustrating.
At least we know Pasteur and his discoveries were finally accepted and he was given the recognition he deserved. In the end, there is a final, very moving scene that gives him his due.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Educational biography
Added 4/10/2005
Paul Muni, who had a propensity for being cast in roles of historical figures scored big in his Oscar winning portrayal in the title role of "The Story of Louis Pasteur". His acting style, honed by years in the Yiddish theatre was perfect for these grandiose parts.
Pasteur, a French chemist in the 1860's is ridiclued and scorned by the French Academy of Medicine for his theories postulating the microbial origins of infectious disease. With the rates of death during chilbirth soaring, Pasteur feels compelled to determine why. Although presenting convincing evidence that lack of sterilization is to blame, he is cast out from Paris at the insistence of Emperor Louis Napolean.
Pasteur settles in Abois where he perfects a vaccine for the prevention of an anthrax epidemic that is decimating the cattle and sheep population of the country. His discovery is hailed by the scientific community but there are still doubters.
His fiercest critic Dr. Charbonnet played superbly by veteran actor Fritz Lieber mocks him when he encounters difficulty formulating a vaccine for rabies. Muni finally successfully discovers a treatment for the dreaded disease. He uses his newly developed vaccine on an unfortunate lad played by Little Rascals regular Dickie Moore, in it's first human trial. The boy's recovery and use of the vaccine on a group of Russian peasants infected by rabid wolves wins Pasteur worldwide acclaim.
He is heralded by the French Academy lead by Dr. Charbonnet and noted epidemiologist Dr. Joseph Lister, as a monumental credit to humanity.
If not for the dated quality of this solid flick, it might have been more compelling. Muni was supported well in his starring role especially by the aforementioned Lieber and Josephine Hutchinson as his stalwart and caring wife.
4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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An amazing story about a towering figure in history!
Added 12/15/2002
This movie not only powerfully tells the story of one of the greatest minds in human history, but of the ordeals of one of history's greatest human spirits. The Story of Louis Pasteur didn't just teach me about Pasteur's brilliant insights and scientific accomplishments - it portrayed the incredible drama of a man who doggedly fought for truth and the relief of human suffering against incredible opposition, ridicule, and derision. Einstein said that "great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from men with mediocre minds" and no truer words could be spoken about Pasteur and his career. His bravery and self-sacrifice as portrayed in this classic movie could not be more poignant or inspirational. A must see for everyone!
12 out of 12 people found this helpful.
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An excellent telling of this amazing scientist's story
Added 9/8/2002
An entertaining and reasonably accurate depiction of the triumph of Louis Pasteur over the entrenched naysayers in the French medical establishment of the day. The movie covers his support of the germ theory of disease and early efforts at antisepsis, but mostly focuses on his development of vaccines for anthrax and rabies. I can't think of another person in the history of biology and medicine who had a greater impact upon the human condition than this man. He laid the groundwork for modern microbiology as well as scientific method. This is a really entertaining movie that has you rooting for the focused and determined Pasteur through all of the ridicule and derision of the medical "luminaries" of 19th century France. A great movie for anyone with an interest in microbiology, medicine, or epidemiology, but just a terrific story for everyone.
4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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Paul Muni: The Master of Historical Biography
Added 8/31/2002
Just as the world of science and medicine owes a debt to Louis Pasteur for his cures of anthrax and rabies so does the world of entertainment owe a similar debt to Paul Muni for dramatising the work of a much reviled French chemist in THE STORY OF LOUIS PASTEUR. Director William Dieterle brought to the screen the essence of a man who was not afraid to speak out against the political correctness of his day, as collectively symbolized by the French Academy of Medicine who refused to see the very evident proof of Pasteur's claims that he lay right under their arrogant noses. Dieterle and Muni were to collaborate again one year later in filming the life of yet another great Frenchman in THE LIFE OF EMILE ZOLA. Pasteur, as Muni plays him, is a doctor who insists that cleanliness, if not next to godliness, is at least next to safety during surgery. The louder Pasteur claims that unwashed surgeons' hands and unsterilized scalpels cause patients to die with infection, the more viciously he is attacked by the Academy, symbolized by the haughty Dr. Charbonnet (Fritz Leiber). Pasteur later finds a cure for anthrax, and one would think that Charbonnet and the other Academy members would recognize Pasteur's genius, but even after a conclusive experiment proves his claims, his colleagues still ridicule him. It is only when Pasteur finds a cure for rabies that even the nearsighted Academy must hail his results.
THE STORY OF LOUIS PASTEUR is the kind of movie bio that lets you know from the first scene that the hero will meet and later overcome considerable obstacles on the way to an upbeat ending. Dieterle was old-fashioned enough to end the film on a rousing call by Pasteur to the younger generation of scientists and doctors to work ceaselessly to find cures for mankind's illnesses. Muni won an Oscar for Best Actor and the film won a Best Story oscar. Further, it was nominated for Best Picture. At the closing credits, what I took away from this inspiring film was the assurance that whenever highly placed doubters say that a thing which may help humanity cannot be, there will always be a Pasteur to argue otherwise.
4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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A Decent Bio Of An Important Man
Added 5/28/2009
This was a pretty interesting historical account of the man who first discovered that microbes - germs - were the cause of many sicknesses. Dr. Louis Pasteur then went about to make changes so these germs were not so prevalent and causing so much sickness. We can thank him for "pasteurization."
Paul Muni does a fine job of playing the title role. He seemed to always play intense roles. The story is very frustrating, however, as we watch "Pasteur" become the target of an ignorant medical profession at the time, constantly trying to discredit the famous man's work. We know, of course, through history that he was right so to listen to his naysayers go on and on and on is frustrating.
At least we know Pasteur and his discoveries were finally accepted and he was given the recognition he deserved. In the end, there is a final, very moving scene that gives him his due.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Educational biography
Added 4/10/2005
Paul Muni, who had a propensity for being cast in roles of historical figures scored big in his Oscar winning portrayal in the title role of "The Story of Louis Pasteur". His acting style, honed by years in the Yiddish theatre was perfect for these grandiose parts.
Pasteur, a French chemist in the 1860's is ridiclued and scorned by the French Academy of Medicine for his theories postulating the microbial origins of infectious disease. With the rates of death during chilbirth soaring, Pasteur feels compelled to determine why. Although presenting convincing evidence that lack of sterilization is to blame, he is cast out from Paris at the insistence of Emperor Louis Napolean.
Pasteur settles in Abois where he perfects a vaccine for the prevention of an anthrax epidemic that is decimating the cattle and sheep population of the country. His discovery is hailed by the scientific community but there are still doubters.
His fiercest critic Dr. Charbonnet played superbly by veteran actor Fritz Lieber mocks him when he encounters difficulty formulating a vaccine for rabies. Muni finally successfully discovers a treatment for the dreaded disease. He uses his newly developed vaccine on an unfortunate lad played by Little Rascals regular Dickie Moore, in it's first human trial. The boy's recovery and use of the vaccine on a group of Russian peasants infected by rabid wolves wins Pasteur worldwide acclaim.
He is heralded by the French Academy lead by Dr. Charbonnet and noted epidemiologist Dr. Joseph Lister, as a monumental credit to humanity.
If not for the dated quality of this solid flick, it might have been more compelling. Muni was supported well in his starring role especially by the aforementioned Lieber and Josephine Hutchinson as his stalwart and caring wife.
4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
|
An amazing story about a towering figure in history!
Added 12/15/2002
This movie not only powerfully tells the story of one of the greatest minds in human history, but of the ordeals of one of history's greatest human spirits. The Story of Louis Pasteur didn't just teach me about Pasteur's brilliant insights and scientific accomplishments - it portrayed the incredible drama of a man who doggedly fought for truth and the relief of human suffering against incredible opposition, ridicule, and derision. Einstein said that "great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from men with mediocre minds" and no truer words could be spoken about Pasteur and his career. His bravery and self-sacrifice as portrayed in this classic movie could not be more poignant or inspirational. A must see for everyone!
12 out of 12 people found this helpful.
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