Albert Schweitzer (2009)

For generations the name Albert Schweitzer has been synonymous with hands-on compassion and the power of Christ-like sacrifice. Now director Gavin Miller presents a landmark drama about the... See full summary »

Director:

Gavin Millar

Writers:

James Brabazon (original screenplay), David Howard (screenplay)

Stars:

Jeroen Krabbé, Barbara Hershey, Judith Godrèche

Cast

Credited cast:
Jeroen Krabbé	...	Albert Schweitzer
Barbara Hershey	...	Helene Schweitzer
Judith Godrèche	...	Thérèse Bourdin
Samuel West	...	Phil Figgis
Jeanette Hain	...	Rhena Schweitzer
Patrice Naiambana	...	Louis Ngouta
Jonathan Firth	...	Dr. David Fuller
Armin Rohde	...	Albert Einstein
Eleonore Weisgerber	...	Senior Nurse Anna
Hans Werner Meyer	...	Dr. Erik Hals
Jennifer Ulrich	...	Nurse Susi Sandler
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Francis Chouler	...	Reporter
Michael Dube	...	Oganga
Ivan Theodore Idzik	...	Clive
Sean Cameron Michael	...	Sinclair

Storyline

For generations the name Albert Schweitzer has been synonymous with hands-on compassion and the power of Christ-like sacrifice. Now director Gavin Miller presents a landmark drama about the legendary Christian medical missionary. Co-starring Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actress Barbara Hershey as Helene Schweitzer.

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Plot Keywords:

liberation theology | hospital | africa | 

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Taglines:

The man... The legend...

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Germany South Africa

Language:

German English

Release Date:

24 December 2009 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Albert Schweitzer - Egy élet Afrikáért

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,827,749

Company Credits

Production Co:

Salinas Filmgesellschaft, Two Oceans Production (TOP), ARD Degeto Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

Reverence For Life

Seeing Albert Schweitzer listed on Amazon Firestick as a Christian film I was expecting a totally different kind of film. But actually I'm glad it is. Some person of a fundamentalist bent might watch this film thinking that Schweitzer was one of them. If they learn something and start to question their own beliefs so much the better.

Jeroen Krabbe stars as Schweitzer with Barbara Hershey as his supportive wife. The film concerns the period of Schweitzer's life between 1949 and 1955 as he joins a movement to ban the atomic bomb and not to develop the hydrogen bomb. A lot of people were involved. Schweitzer, philosopher Bertrand Russell, and scientists Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer.

Certain right wing elements did their best to destroy Schweitzer's reputation in many ways. He's in the USA to raise funds for his medical mission in the future African nation of Gabon. It's put to him bluntly, but subtly back off the ban the bomb activity and all kinds of money can come your way. Schweitzer does not bend.

Schweitzer was a true renaissance man. Not only a medical practicioner, but a classical musician, and a philosopher. He would have really gotten along with Thomas Jefferson.

He also has trouble with the new Africa leadership who see him as a paternalistic white. That's the most interesting part of the tale in many ways.

Schweitzer was a most beloved figure in my youth. His philosophy was summed up by him in three words, Reverence For Life. Something he never deviated from. I recommend people see this film and learn about what the best in civilization can produce.