Something the Lord Made (2004)

In the early 20th century, the audacious and self-assured cardiologist Alfred Blalock (1899-1964) leaves Vanderbilt for the prestigious halls of Johns Hopkins. He takes with him an unlikely ally, Vivien Thomas (1910-1985), an African-American lab technician possessing an extraordinary gift for surgery despite lacking a formal college education. Their lives intertwine in a unique and inspiring partnership, navigating through the uncharted waters of racial prejudice and societal norms of the era. When Blalock and Thomas confront the daunting medical mystery of "blue babies" in 1941, they find themselves on the cusp of a pioneering breakthrough – the invention of bypass surgery. Following arduous trials on dogs, their first human subject is baby Eileen, whose life hangs precariously in the balance without the surgery. Flouting convention and the shadow of the Jim Crow laws, Blalock dares to bring Thomas into the operating room, relying on his invaluable expertise. However, as the accolades pour in, Life Magazine captures only Blalock in its spotlight, leaving Thomas in obscurity. The movie "Something the Lord Made" unfurls this poignant tale of courage, innovation, and unacknowledged brilliance. It raises the compelling question - will the invaluable contribution of Vivien Thomas, the unsung hero in the fight against infant heart disease, ever receive its rightful recognition? This is a stirring exploration of a groundbreaking medical journey, set against the backdrop of a time when society was struggling to see beyond color.

Something the Lord Made is a drama movie featuring Alan Rickman and directed by Joseph Sargent.

Something the Lord Made is currently streaming on DIRECTV and Max Amazon Channel.

It is also possible to buy Something the Lord Made on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.