Directed By: Gavin Miller Written By: James Brabazon, David Howard and Gavin Millar Lead Actors: Jeoen Krabbé (Albert Schweitzer) Barbara Hershey (Helene Schweitzer) Available on Tubi, Roku Channel, and elsewhere 114 minutes English
This film is a dramatization rather than a documentary of a portion of Albert Schweitzer's life. It purportedly covers the period from his visit to the US in 1949 until his Nobel Peace Prize speech in 1953, but it includes some circumstances that I believe date to later in his life. Some other minor liberties are taken, such as Albert talking to reporters in America without a translator.
There are two themes or focuses in the film. The first relates to Schweitzer's anti-atomic weapon views, his reluctance to make public statements about these weapons, and the suspicion his views caused within US government circles. The second theme is Schweitzer's relations with his family and the Westerners working at his Lambarene hospital. While all these people are depicted as devoted to him, there are also strains arising from Albert's inflexibility and and controlling manner.
Reverence for Life comes up several times in the film, but in my view is never really explained or justified. There are a number of scenes that are clearly intended to convey aspects of Schweitzer's thought, but often they are brief and only in regards to atomic weapons are they really explored. Presumably the director and writers wanted to focus more on the drama related to the two themes, but it results in some choppy flow.
Krabbé is convincing as Albert, and Hershey is excellent as Helene. For a dramatization, there is not a lot of drama and what there is revolves around CIA attempts to discredit Albert Schweitzer because of his concerns about atomic weapons. While there was distrust of him within the US government, I am doubtful that the specific activities attributed to the CIA in the film took place. For me the highlight of the film may be its depiction of the Lambarene hospital and the people living and working there.
Overall, this is a pretty good film about specific aspects of Schweitzer's later life, but it should not be confused with a true biography of Schweitzer or his philosophy. For that, the 1957 film Albert Schweitzer is much better.
Click here to return to the Albert Schweitzer Page.