The HBO description sounded like a good story, so I gave it a chance... Just about everything HBO Films produces is excellent, but this film rises into the higher levels of the stratosphere. | But Mos Def, whom I had never seen before, really blew me away with his nuanced performance of Vivien Thomas. - All right, then. Blalock & Taussig, whose ingenious procedure is used to convey the aspects of this film (Blalock-Taussig Shunt), were two of my 'heros.' Sadly it will proabably only appeal to the older … FAQ Stars: Alan Rickman, Mos Def, Kyra Sedgwick, Gabrielle Union, Merritt Wever. Alan Rickman has always been a favorite actor of mine, but I have seen him get a little "lazy" from time to time. In 1976 H… Will time correct this omission? Company Credits In 1930, Vivien Thomas was a nineteen-year-old carpenter’s apprentice with his sights set on Tennessee State College and then medical school. | Alfred Blalock When he came to Hopkins in 1941, Thomas was the first African American to walk the halls in a white coat; black people were not admitted as students or faculty. We have work to do. https://www.baltimoresun.com/features/bal-blackhistory-thomas-story.html Vivien Thomas. Vivien Theodore Thomas was born on August 29, 1910 in New Iberia, Louisiana, USA. Based on the National Magazine Award-winning Washingtonian magazine article "Like Something the Lord Made" by Katie McCabe, the film was directed by Joseph Sargentand written by Peter Silverman and Robert Casw… A strong and at times compelling true story of how a relationship between these two men changed the world of medicine. | I didn't know exactly what to expect when I began watching this movie. Vivien Thomas : Or connected. Have you watched this movie, it has more inspiring and motivation, “Something The Lord Made? In 1929, after working as an orderly in a private infirmary to raise money for college, he enrolled as a premedical student at Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial College. It is well worth watching for fans of romance, costume drama with an historical backdrop and with an appreciation of old style Hollywood movie stars. The rating of "R" stems only from the sometimes strong (but very real) language. Well, needless to say I was moved. Representing the old and the bridge to the next generation of doctors and physicians. I cannot think of actors who would have done a better job than Alan Rickman or Mos Def and I applaud them, and the rest of the cast, as well as the producers, for bringing this wonderful story to life. The movie was about an African-American man named Vivien Thomas (Mos Def) who, in the 1940's & 50's, made a huge contribution to the medical field. The dead are with us all the time, I believe. But Vivien Thomas was a pivotal player in the development of a true breakthrough at The Johns Hopkins Hospital just 60 years ago. I knew I recognized the main actor, but couldn't quite put my finger on it... Was I surprised (as well as ashamed) to learn here that it was Mos Def. This surgery has helped so may with Congenital Heart Disease, and we are so thankful for these medical pioneers! As someone stated earlier, the racial issues of the time were touched on perfectly but not focused on. Just like you did for your old Daddy. Vivien Thomas: The dead are with us all the time, I believe. Vivien Thomas quotes › Something the Lord Made. And after i watched this movie. He served as supervisor of the surgical laboratories at Johns Hopkins for 35 years. The same commentator asked whether the film omitted mention of Thomas's eventual title. At the end of the film, Vivien is sitting in the lobby, looking at his own portrait next to that of Blalock's when he's paged as "Dr. I was packing to go home as it was on and just a few minutes into it, I had to stop and just sit and watch. Alan Rickman is brilliant (as I would expect) I think perhaps one of his best roles. He made me eat those words though, by delivering a simply OUTSTANDING performance... and while he and Rickman really carry the film, the supporting cast does a nice job as well. He was the assistant to surgeon Alfred Blalock in Blalock's experimental animal laboratory at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and later at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. I have seen this movie at least 8 times since it first appeared last summer and never tire of it. It's gratifying to know that I'm not the only one who was surprisingly moved by this story. But Vivien has no credit for his accomplishment. Time - Phrase; 00:03:13 - You say the pay is $12 a week? VIVIEN THOMAS (from autobiography): I was not prepared for the odor that greeted us when we entered. Vivien Theodore Thomas. All in all, I was amazed by the film, the acting, the story line -- it's worth watching again. Vivien Thomas HBO's lack of luster in the previews did not do the film justice, after the first 5 minutes I was absolutely hooked. This movie is old movie and true story in medical at Johns Hopkins University. We lost two very gifted men who did an exceptional job of training others to follow in their footsteps. He is a descended of African-American black man. One of the earmarks of a great true story on film is that, when it's over, you find yourself wishing it had been longer and wanting to know more about the subject. Director(s): Joseph Sargent. A close friend of mine been there, where they were honored. Vivien Thomas Something the Lord Made is a 2004 American made-for-television biographical drama film about the black cardiac pioneer Vivien Thomas (1910–1985) and his complex and volatile partnership with white surgeon Alfred Blalock (1899–1964), the "Blue Baby doctor" who pioneered modern heart surgery. The story is one of the most compelling pieces of drama one could ever ask for. External Reviews Vivien Thomas and assistants operating on a laboratory dog at Vanderbilt University, c. 1930s. [Vivien is abruptly leaving the laboratory]. Alfred Blalock I think this performance will certainly bring this talented performer the recognition he deserves. But the depression, which had halted carpentry work in Nashville, wiped out his savings and forced him to postpone college. : Mos Def, an American actor, portrayed the role of Vivien in this movie. Mine was only proud of the fact that I could wiggle my ears. : User Ratings Because of their work with "Blue Babies", they both have achieved immortality. Alfred Blalock Vivien Thomas dreamed of attending medical school as a young man, but saw those dreams dashed with the onset of the Great Depression. Great actors come from the world of acting; not singing, painting or sports. VIVIEN THOMAS(from autobiography): It was so unfortunate that his time was cut off. This is a heartfelt, emotional, and inspiring film filled with performances of the like. It is very much a surprise how the lives of these two men - Blalock and Thomas could have been overlooked for so long. | Another 17 wins & 30 nominations. Join Facebook to connect with Vivien Hobbah and others you may know. 00:03:28 Vivien? It is not a documentary. His achievements, out of his background and lack of opportunities, made me feel that I should have been able to do much more than I have, given how much more was just handed to me. I wasn't expecting a story this powerful. Vivien Thomas : The dead are with us all the time, I believe. Everything excellent about filmmaking can be found in this superb production. Does he ever get. Something the Lord Made recounts the relationship between Dr. Alfred Blalock (Alan Rickman) and Vivian Thomas (Mos Def). Rickman's self-righteous & pompous Dr. Alfred Blaylock compliments greatly Mos Def's quiet, determined, & passive-aggressive role as lab assistant/technician Vivien Thomas. : The movie shows how Vivien, the doctor’s assistant, and Dr. Blalock, the head doctor work together to solve a medical problem. The writers did an excellent job of making the viewer aware of the racial climate in Viven Thomas' life; note the early scene in which Vivien and a friend are walking and talking, and each time some white people approach them on the sidewalk, they step aside and yield right of way without hesitation. Can't separate the past from the future any more than you can a right arm and your left arm. It begins in 1930s Nashville when imperious cardiac surgeon Blalock hires Thomas, an African American carpenter, as his janitor. The magic they created is shattered by the reality of segregation, and the movie presents this as fact rather than making moral judgments. The performances of both Alan Rickman & rapper Mos Def shine brightly in this film of racism, perseverance, & the pursuit of advancements in medical science/surgery. But the movie didn't just show Vivien Thomas the "lab technician", it went into Vivien Thomas' struggle as a black man in an all white environment of Johns Hopkins, and it showed his relationship with his family and his colleague Dr. Blaylock (Alan Rickman), which was just as important as showing his contribution to medical science. A wonderful, wonderful story acted out by extremely talented actors. Vivien Thomas : I think he'll be proud when you operate. Will that be sufficient? What an incredible story and what an incredible actor Mos is. https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/mstp/person/vivien-t-thomas The acting was superb. 00:03:17 - I'm liking it already. Even Nashville Bank for saving his money was bankrupt, it made he lost his passion and impossible to continue his study. This surgery has helped so may with Congenital Heart Disease, and we are so thankful for these medical pioneers! Even if you do not have a medical background, it is worth seeing for the genius and compassion of those two men who did not allow the racial climate of the times to overpower their desire to make a difference. https://www.houseoffaucis.com/vivien-thomas-in-honor-of-black-history-month Partners of the Heart is the autobiography of this extraordinary man who struggled against overwhelming odds and achieved … Thomas, the son of a building contractor, was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1910. Find all lines from this movie. I was so moved by it, that I had to wait a while before I could leave. They all helped to develop the procedure. : Can't separate the past from the future any more than you can a right arm and your left arm. 2020 Vivien T. Thomas Lecture The Saga of Vivien Thomas: Discrimination, Segregation, and Bias The Society of Thoracic Surgeons launched a new named lecture at its 2020 Annual Meeting. I saw this movie this morning in my hotel room in Washington, DC. : He was married to Clara Beatrice Flanders. What job classification? To all the residents who learned at Hopkins from these two gifted men, be forever grateful that their lives touched yours, albeit briefly. Something the Lord Made is a 2004 HBO movie dramatization based on Vivien Thomas's book, "Partners of the Heart". Here we got two men who made history together, despite the times of segregation, and racial inequality. 00:03:24 Dr. Blalock, this is Vivien Thomas. The race gap closes there. As wonderful as the movie was, it did take some dramatic license here and there. But Queen Latifa did very well in "Bone Collector" and LL Cool J didn't quite ruin "Deliver Us From Eva." If you haven't seen it, we highly recommend it! Another doctor saw his work, and requests him to help him with the surgery. I had known only a tiny part of the story before the movie: that a white surgeon and a black technician developed the process that could save "blue babies." Great movies are made by studios or independents, not networks. Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh are one of cinema's great pairings and give probably the best performances of their careers. If you haven't seen it, we highly recommend it! Is life that which thrives through our veins and keeps our senses alive? He died on November 26, 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Vivien Thomas had lost his friend and colleague of 34 years. I'm not ready for that. Posts about vivien thomas written by dr s venkatesan. Jeers to the staff members who were ruled by race and education and a firm salute to those who were not. Vivien Thomas: The dead are with us all the time, I believe. Vivien Thomas quotes › Something the Lord Made. Early life. Drs. If you are interested in medicine, and the development of new procedures that change lives, especially of the very, very young, then this is a movie for you. I highly recommend this movie. He is strong and silent to hide back his true emotions. - Yeah. Feb 18, 2020 - This board highlights Vivien Thomas, scientist and educator. That's a huge accomplishment, but only a portion of the story. The amazing genius and operative dexterity of surgical research phenomenon Vivian Thomas, and his focus on, love for, and persistence with his work against seemingly unscale-able obstacles, in superbly portrayed by Mos Def. On this day in 1944, Vivien Thomas, Dr. Blalock, and Dr. Taussig, performed the first B-T shunt. Alfred Blalock What a beautiful film! Alfred Blalock : He's dead. Can't separate the past from the future any more than you can a right arm and your left arm. That's a girl's name. In this book you will hear from Vivien Thomas himself. IMDB: 8.3 Something the Lord Made Screenplay » Edit Buy NR (Not … Shortly before his death in 1985, Thomas completed his autobiography, Pioneering Research in Surgical Shock and Cardiovascular Surgery: Vivien Thomas and His Work With Alfred Blalock, in which he recalled his extraordinary life and work. A new era in heart surgery began at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1944, when Alfred Blalock, Vivien Thomas, and Helen Taussig debuted a daring procedure that would eventually save thousands of … The movie's pacing, dialogue, and mixture of medical science, surgical "drama", and harsh reality of the times was excellent. Yes, my mother was so sure she was having a girl, she picked the name early and kept it. : : It shows the effects of prejudice on Thomas, an intellectual whose personality tended more toward quiet and studious, than confrontational. ^ Partners of the Heart: Vivien Thomas and his Work with Alfred Blalock, ISBN 0-8122-1634-2 ^ OAH.org Archived June 3, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, OAH … | An excellent movie about the life of Vivien Thomas an a how a chance job encounter with Dr. Alfred Blalock turned in to the opportunity to change the world of medicine. Can't separate the past from the future anymore you can right arm from left arm. Vivien Thomas was the first African American without a doctorate degree to perform open heart surgery on a white patient in the United States. When they save the first blue baby, their surgery technique becomes a worldwide success. Explore our collection of motivational and famous quotes by authors you know and love. Being the second half of the story, the weight of the film falls on his shoulders almost as much as it does for Rickman. While other reviews focus on the content and plot of the film, I'd like to address the film-making. Technical Specs. Vivien Thomas Alfred Blalock I got more spirit for the next. Vivien Thomas Vivien Theodore Thomas was the grandson of a slave and developed the desire to become a medical doctor at an early age. Thomas was born in New Iberia, Louisiana. Release Dates Or connected. This project placed 1st in the 2016 Washington State National History Day competition in the Senior Individual Documentary category. The ending was a little heart-wrenching, yet motivational at the same time. If it is, I will be purchasing multiple copies to give as gifts. : Movie quotes. Vivien expects to join the medical school but his savings are lost in the Great Depression. I'm not quite sure why it was only made for TV, i guess because it's not garbage like most of what is out there at 9 dollars a ticket! : Dr. Alfred Blalock(Alan Rickman) is a fine, yet harried surgeon who takes an African-American maintenance worker as a lab technician. | Working with surgeon Alfred Blalock and pediatric cardiologist Helen Taussig, Thomas was part of a team that devised a means to correct a congenital heart defect known as Tetralogy of Fallot, or Blue Baby syndrome. Gone With The Wind (1939) is directed by Victor Fleming and stars Barbara O Neil,Thomas Mitchell, Vivian Leigh and others. Can't separate the past from the future anymore you can right arm from left arm. The depiction of the incredible bravery of Blalock, Taussig, and Thomas, who were embarking on not just uncharted, but forbidden surgical waters, warned that if such an "adventure" went awry, they'd be "on their own", made me feel timid and lacking in fortitude, by comparison. You can begin the incision. Medical history, black history --you name it --this film has it, and weaves a fact-based plot equal to any docu-drama ever made. Alan Rickman is one of the all time under appreciated actors in Hollywood. Through his lovely, subtly nuanced performance, we are able to truly appreciate this incredibly gifted and complex man. It was in honor of Vivien Thomas, a black surgical technician with only a high school education who steadfastly designed and tested anastomosis of the subclavian artery to the pulmonary artery, resulting in the landmark … Do I have your permission, to do some work for my landlord, so I can pay my rent? Below is a clip of the movie: I encourage each of you to take the time to watch this movie. Movies that are inspired by true events, are either watchable, or too painful to watch. The story line was great - The life and times of one of the greatest surgeons the United States has ever produced (Alfred Blalock), played by Alan Rickman, along with his lab assistant Vivien Thomas, played by Mos Def. Alfred Blalock : Ah but you see they are separated by this, by the heart. Vivien T. Thomas was born in New Iberia, Louisiana on August 29, 1910. He has to wipe the tears from his eyes to respond to the page. Dr. Blalock calls him up and helps him with a rather difficult heart surgery. And yet, there is no heavy-handedness or preachy air to these scenes. Vivien Thomas had no medical degree, but he still became one of surgery's greatest innovators. Promoted, to what he already does. : p. 21. Production: HBO Video. [Politely sarcastic]  Students conduct research for six weeks under the direction of a medical school faculty member and learn the content, process and methodology involved in inquiry science. The names of the residents in this film are names I have heard throughout my career. Alfred Blalock : Ah but you see they are separated by this, by the heart. The two of them together created the type of chemistry on screen one can only imagine must have existed between the men they portrayed. The original procedure was named for Alfred Blalock, surgeon, Culloden, GA (1899–1964), Helen B. Taussig, cardiologist, Baltimore/Boston (1898–1986) and Vivien Thomas (1910–1985) who was at that time Blalock's laboratory assistant. Advanced search. But I'm determined to soon make that trip to the University if only to spend a few minutes looking at the portrait of Dr. Thomas. I am amazed by the genius of Vivien Thomas (or anyone without medical training who could understand as he did) and at the fact that Doctor Blalock accepted him as an individual (most of the time), without regard to his race or lack of medical education. Another HBO original film that is worth calling good. 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