"Moscati: Doctor to the Poor" or better known in the original Italian title as "Giuseppe Moscati, L'amore che guarisce" translating to English; "Joseph Moscati, the love that heals". It is a wonderful well directed and filmed two part biographical mini series on the last twenty years of the life of Professor Joseph Moscati. I originally saw this miniseries in Paddingon, London in 2007 just after it was released, enticing me to travel abroad and visit his museum for the second time.
Giuseppe Moscati (born in Benevento Italy on July 25, 1880 and suddenly passed away in Naples on April 12, 1927) was a Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Physician, Scientific researcher, hero and also a pioneer in the field of biochemistry at the University of Naples circa 1903/1905. He also was one of pioneers to use CPR and for considering Insulin treatments for diabetes when his own mother had died from the disease. He came from a noble family that lived in luxury but instead chose to live life with extreme humility and devoted his services and altruism towards the underprivileged, poor families, poverty stricken children and orphans, often contributing from his own finances, eventually selling off most of his assets consisting of family heirloom collectible artwork and very valuable furniture. His home later became a daily refuge to dozens of queuing families, mostly destitute and desperate, seeking medical treatment where he refused payments, but instead also offered his own money for their medications. His philanthropy was also seen amongst the streets carrying large milk containers to the undernourished children living in the city slums. In 1906, during an earth tremor resulting from a small eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, he risked his own life in evacuating many patients from the hospital who were mainly elderly, paralytic and mentally ill, just moments before the building collapsed. This was well portrayed in this wonderful miniseries.
What I also liked about this miniseries is that it reached out to all audiences for general viewing without any strong religious endorsements which would be expected from any biographical movie of a Saint, as Professor Joseph Moscati was also canonized as a Saint by Pope John Paul II in 1987 for his life contributions in addition to the miracles he performed, his endless generosity and human compassion for fulfilling God's love. Whether you believe in Saints or not will not interfere with your appreciation for this miniseries just like appreciating a biography on Ghandi or even Einstein.
This miniseries also displays human nature with the betrayal from a colleague who Moscati had always helped as an undergraduate struggling with his studies right up to offering him a senior position at the hospital, but remained totally indifferent and tolerant towards him right until the very end. Moscati had experienced ridicule and patronizing gestures by this wealthy colleague that later became very successful and achieved high political connections. Some beautiful scenes of Naples and the sea can also be seen with historic scenes from the streets, including inside the princess' palace with great background music that reflect the emotions of the scenes. The museum in Naples also houses many of Moscati's personal belongings and relics, including train tickets used during his travels to London, Paris and Edinburgh which makes this miniseries more impacting on me. If you are ever privileged to visit Naples, then it would be a must for you to visit the museum if you appreciate this miniseries. The old saying that fact can be stranger than fiction is strongly seen here. You won't be disappointed!!
Giuseppe Moscati (born in Benevento Italy on July 25, 1880 and suddenly passed away in Naples on April 12, 1927) was a Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Physician, Scientific researcher, hero and also a pioneer in the field of biochemistry at the University of Naples circa 1903/1905. He also was one of pioneers to use CPR and for considering Insulin treatments for diabetes when his own mother had died from the disease. He came from a noble family that lived in luxury but instead chose to live life with extreme humility and devoted his services and altruism towards the underprivileged, poor families, poverty stricken children and orphans, often contributing from his own finances, eventually selling off most of his assets consisting of family heirloom collectible artwork and very valuable furniture. His home later became a daily refuge to dozens of queuing families, mostly destitute and desperate, seeking medical treatment where he refused payments, but instead also offered his own money for their medications. His philanthropy was also seen amongst the streets carrying large milk containers to the undernourished children living in the city slums. In 1906, during an earth tremor resulting from a small eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, he risked his own life in evacuating many patients from the hospital who were mainly elderly, paralytic and mentally ill, just moments before the building collapsed. This was well portrayed in this wonderful miniseries.
What I also liked about this miniseries is that it reached out to all audiences for general viewing without any strong religious endorsements which would be expected from any biographical movie of a Saint, as Professor Joseph Moscati was also canonized as a Saint by Pope John Paul II in 1987 for his life contributions in addition to the miracles he performed, his endless generosity and human compassion for fulfilling God's love. Whether you believe in Saints or not will not interfere with your appreciation for this miniseries just like appreciating a biography on Ghandi or even Einstein.
This miniseries also displays human nature with the betrayal from a colleague who Moscati had always helped as an undergraduate struggling with his studies right up to offering him a senior position at the hospital, but remained totally indifferent and tolerant towards him right until the very end. Moscati had experienced ridicule and patronizing gestures by this wealthy colleague that later became very successful and achieved high political connections. Some beautiful scenes of Naples and the sea can also be seen with historic scenes from the streets, including inside the princess' palace with great background music that reflect the emotions of the scenes. The museum in Naples also houses many of Moscati's personal belongings and relics, including train tickets used during his travels to London, Paris and Edinburgh which makes this miniseries more impacting on me. If you are ever privileged to visit Naples, then it would be a must for you to visit the museum if you appreciate this miniseries. The old saying that fact can be stranger than fiction is strongly seen here. You won't be disappointed!!