I had this saved in my queue on Netflix for quite some time and finally watched it this evening. I'm very glad I finally got around to checking it out. I was surprised to come to this site and see only two reviews.
Based on a true story, it describes the pioneering work of Dr Ludwig Guttmann with paraplegic patients at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. It is a made for TV movie but in my opinion it had more of a major motion picture feel.
I'm really not much on writing reviews, but felt compelled to do so for this title. Well written, well shot and an unbelievably inspiring story. I can't recommend it more highly.
The Best of Men
2012
Biography / Drama / History / War
The Best of Men
2012
Biography / Drama / History / War
7.9Plot summary
Towards the end of the Second World War, Dr Ludwig Guttmann, a brisk refugee from Nazi Germany, arrives at Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire and is appalled to find the partially paralysed spinal patients heavily sedated and left to rot with bed sores. He immediately begins a new regime, disposing of old equipment and sedatives, bringing him into conflict with stern Sister Edwards and pompous consultant Cowan, as well as the patients. However the sister backs him when she realises he is treating her charges as people, not patients, talking to them and involving them in musical entertainments and sporting activity. Soon Whitehall are sending him all their spinal patients and, with visits to the pub and wheelchair sports taught by an army sergeant, he becomes the men's hero. With the war over Ludwig organizes national wheelchair sports competitions which will in turn lead to the establishment of the Paralympic games. An end title informs that in 1966, now a British citizen, Dr Guttmann was knighted for his part in bringing hope to the hopeless.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
George MacKay as Private William Heath
Eddie Marsan as Dr Ludwig Guttmann
Nigel Lindsay as Mr. Heath
Niamh Cusack as Sister Edwards
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB 822.12 MB
1280*714
English 2.0
NR
Movie Reviews
Reviewed by
Truly Terrific Movie
Reviewed by
Phenomenal Eddie Marsan in an inspiring feel-good film
Eddie Marsan would have to be in my top 10 favourite actors. He seems to put out strong performance time after time and surely destined for an Oscar one of these days.
The Best of Men is a TV movie, but has nothing in common with other TV movies - it really feels like an actual film. Albeit one that is perhaps a little too short.
It's one of the most feel-good and inspiring films I've seen in a long time. Highly recommend it!
I wish Dr. Ludwig Guttmann was my doctor.
Reviewed by
Best in Men
The will to survive is one thing - the will to keep going on, to really make the best of ones situation a completely different one. One can "live", but actually not really be "alive" for many reasons. And I don't even mean depression and other stuff like that.
This is an encouraging story about people who lost quite a lot (literally) during war time ... but were encouraged by a (jewish) doctor to bring new meaning to their lifes and give them new goals to achieve. Something to look forward to ... so quite inspiring story, with some things that may offend people, but considering the mind set the individuals were under ... and the stress and all that ... you should be able to understand and feel for them.