In 1943, a refugee doctor from Nazi Germany uses new methods to rehabilitate those with spinal injuries in Great Britain. Based on actual events.In 1943, a refugee doctor from Nazi Germany uses new methods to rehabilitate those with spinal injuries in Great Britain. Based on actual events.In 1943, a refugee doctor from Nazi Germany uses new methods to rehabilitate those with spinal injuries in Great Britain. Based on actual events.
- Awards
- 1 win & 2 nominations
- Private William Heath
- (as Richard Mackay)
- Ruth
- (as Bee Bee Sanders)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe title "The Best of Men" is a pun on Dr Guttmann's surname which means "good man" in German.
- GoofsThe Bristol bus dates from 1949, 5 years later than the start of the drama.
- Quotes
[Sergeant Hills has been posted to the Spinal Unit]
Sergeant 'Q' Hills: I don't know anything about paralysis.
Dr. Ludwig Guttmann: You will learn. Become an expert.
Sergeant 'Q' Hills: I'm a PT Instructor, not Jesus Christ. I don't raise men from the dead. Sorry.
[Hills salutes and walks away]
Dr. Ludwig Guttmann: You are a soldier. This is your posting.
Sergeant 'Q' Hills: No. There's been some mistake.
Dr. Ludwig Guttmann: Of course. I should be Head of Neurosurgery in Breslau, while watching children playing in the Oder. My friends and family should be enjoying the autumn in Silesia. But "some mistake" happened and most of them are in SS camps while I am here with you. So we must make the best of it.
What stands out most, for me, is the realistic interaction of the men and women on the ward. There is plenty of banter and innuendo and the sexual politics seem relatively realistic for the time period.
I note that this was made by the BBC in 2012. My suspicions are that if this was made today the Diversity police would render it farcically ahistorical in order to be 'sensitive' - this would not only dishonour those portrayed, but given that the message of the story is that compassion sometimes involves tough decisions and not treating people like victims, such contemporary representation would make the story pointless.
- Bobalopacus
- Feb 16, 2023
Details
- Runtime1 hour 30 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1