Concussion (2015)

The sickening crunch of football players crashing against each other, helmet to helmet, echoes through “Concussion” like an alarm. There’s another appalling sound here, too, created by the collision of corporate avarice — in the blurred form of the National Football League — and a doctor fighting a righteous fight.

NY Times Review (12/25/2015, Manohla Dargis)

A good review of CTE on Wikipedia.

Dr. Bennet Omalu

12/25/15: I just saw Concussion.  A truly amazing film.  The hero is Dr. Bennet Omalu, a Nigerian neuro- and forensic pathologist, who had the courage to follow up on his unpopular findings.  Will Smith and Alec Baldwin are powerful and amazing in their roles.  This film is a great introduction to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and it won’t be just football.  Concussion addresses an unfortunate truth.  It’s great to see a film where a pathologist, especially a forensic pathologist is the hero.  DJE

Reference: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy in a National Football League player. Omalu BI, DeKosky ST, Minster RL, Kamboh MI, Hamilton RL, Wecht CH. Neurosurgery. 2005 Jul;57(1):128-34; discussion 128-34. Abstract.  (This is where it all began!)

Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)

From the NY Times: Edward G. Robinson portrays real-life German medical researcher Paul Erlich, the man who discovered and perfected "Formula 606," the cure for syphilis. The world at large would prefer to treat the disease as though it does not exist, so Erlich spends most of his life underfunded and frustrated. A no-nonsense dowager (Maria Ouspenskaya) has faith in Erlich, however, and thus provides the necessary funds to develop Formula 606. Once the serum is released to the public, Erlich's reputation is threatened when a handful of syphilitics die, ostensibly as a result of the "cure." Brought up on criminal charges, Erlich is exonerated by his old colleague Dr. Von Behring (Otto Kruger). Considered daring in its time for its exploration of a "taboo" subject, Dr. Erlich's Magic Bullet holds up as one of Warner Bros.' most solid biopics, with a convincing performance from a nearly unrecognizable Edward G. Robinson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide 1949, 103 minutes

Publish Post

May be difficult to find, but can be bought at Amazon.

The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936)

From Netflix: Chronicling the life of French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur, this compelling drama netted star Paul Muni a Best Actor Oscar. As Pasteur (Muni) works unstintingly to discover a cure for anthrax and rabies, his theories meet with suspicion and derision; meanwhile, his close-minded rival (Fritz Leiber) frustrates Pasteur's efforts at every turn. But the undaunted scientist perseveres and gradually wins over his detractors. 1936, 87 minutes The film won these Academy Awards:
1937 Academy Award®: Best Writing
1937 Academy Award®: Best Actor: Paul Muni
1937 Academy Award®: Best Writing
1937 Academy Award®: Best Picture nominee

This film is not available on Netflix now. One's local library may be able to obtain a copy.

Recommended by Charles Katz.