The Best of Men (2012)

As the Second World War draws to a close, the determined Dr. Ludwig Guttmann, a brisk refugee escaping the clutches of Nazi Germany, finds himself in the heart of Buckinghamshire, at Stoke Mandeville hospital. He is confronted by a distressing scene: partially paralysed spinal patients, heavily sedated and shamefully neglected, their lives reduced to an endless cycle of bed sores and silent suffering. Refusing to accept this grim reality, Guttmann swiftly embarks on a radical new approach, discarding outdated equipment and unnecessary sedatives, a move that puts him at odds with the rigid Sister Edwards and haughty consultant Cowan. Yet, his unconventional methods also begin to resonate deeply with the patients, and even Sister Edwards, as they witness his earnest commitment to treating them as people who matter, not mere medical cases. From engaging conversations to musical merriments and sporting activities, Guttmann breathes life back into the hospital wards. As word of his transformative work spreads, Whitehall begins sending their spinal patients to him. An army sergeant's introduction of wheelchair sports further galvanizes the patients, turning Guttmann into their beacon of hope. Post-war, Guttmann's relentless spirit leads to the organization of national wheelchair sports competitions, a significant step that eventually paves the way for the creation of the Paralympic games. The tale concludes with a poignant note that reveals Dr. Guttmann's knighthood in 1966, a fitting tribute to the man who dared to bring hope to those consigned to despair, forever changing the perception of disability.

The Best of Men is a drama movie featuring Eddie Marsan and directed by Tim Whitby.

It is possible to buy The Best of Men on Apple TV.