They rose above the conditions of their time
Narrated by three-time Academy Award nominee Morgan Freeman, the documentary details the story of two men practicing medicine throughout the middle of the twentieth century - Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas.
Dr. Alfred Blalock was a white surgeon who rose to prominence after the Second World War by perfecting a surgical procedure known as the `Blue Babies Operation', a procedure which has saved thousands of children with heart defects.
What is not as widely-known, however, is that Dr. Blalock had a partner - a black lab technician named Vivien Thomas on whom he was completely dependent.
With a dream of being a doctor but never able to attend college, Vivien was first hired by Dr. Blalock to work as a janitor in his lab. The doctor soon realised Vivien's brilliance, however.
The film documents the development of their symbiotic relationship: their partnership, their understanding of one another's strengths and weaknesses throughout their careers, and their consequential rise to medical fame. It is, as one speaker in the documentary says, the story of two men "who rose above the conditions of their time".
Such a tale of the underdog coming out on top is always difficult to resist.
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Even so, the strongest story can be destroyed if it is told poorly, however director Andrea Kalin has made sure the tale of Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas is told in a manner worthy of its subject matter.
Touches such as Morgan Freeman's narration; well-placed quotes from Vivien Thomas's autobiography; reminiscent family, friends and work colleagues; and good alternation between real-life photos film and recreated scenes all combine to make for, as one viewer simply said: "A very well-told story".
However this documentary has certain aspects that should make it especially enjoyed in Bermuda. For instance, Bermudians will probably feel a certain kinship with the hospital in which the two men conduct their most promising research.
Johns Hopkins Hospital is perhaps the most common destination for Bermudians who require overseas medical treatment, particularly cancer patients.
More importantly, Bermudians should also feel a kinship to the two men because of the theme of race that runs throughout the film. Racism is a theme which has been and continues to be central to the fabric of Bermudian society today.
While Vivien is barred from college for economic reasons, it is because of his race that he is not given the recognition he deserves, even though Dr. Blalock is so dependent on his talent that he requires Vivien to stand on a special stool at his elbow for every operation.
Bermudians in particular should be inspired by the two men and how they deal with the changing dynamics of race relations throughout their 34-year relationship.
Finally, young Bermudians in particular should feel a kinship with Vivien and his struggle against the odds to succeed. Watching the credits, one viewer quite rightly noted: "This film should be shown on Bermudian TV to allow everyone to see it - especially the young people."