The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936)

Immersed in the vibrant heart of 1860's Paris, a chemist named Louis Pasteur emerges as a misunderstood visionary, challenging the established medical norms of his time. Pasteur, ridiculed for his unconventional belief that microbes, minute organisms discovered in sour wine, are the cause of diseases, advocates for a radical approach: sanitization. He urges doctors and surgeons to wash their hands and sterilize their instruments, a practice met with disdain and disbelief. This incredulity persists despite the fact that thousands of women perish annually from child bed disease, a grim reality reflecting the dangerous ignorance of the medical community. Pasteur's bold ideas bring him face to face with Emperor Napoleon III and his physician, Dr. Charbonnet, a staunch opponent of Pasteur's theories. However, in a rapidly changing France, now a republic, Pasteur's reputation takes a turn. A government sanctioned experiment involving anthrax and sheep vindicates his assertions, as a vaccine developed by Pasteur proves effective, igniting a beacon of hope amidst the shadow of skepticism. Undeterred by the persistent opposition, Pasteur embarks on a daunting challenge: finding the cause and cure for rabies, a menace more elusive than anthrax. His journey is fraught with hurdles, with his most formidable adversary being the relentless Dr. Charbonnet, who is desperate to discredit Pasteur's revolutionary ideas. In this gripping narrative, Pasteur is not alone in his crusade against disease. He finds unwavering support in his family and Dr. Jean Martel, a former junior physician in the emperor's court, now Pasteur's son-in-law and partner in his groundbreaking work. In a surprising twist, an audacious act by Charbonnet inadvertently provides the breakthrough Pasteur needs, leading him to discover a weakened dose of rabies can stimulate the human immune system to create its own antibodies. As Pasteur ventures into uncharted waters, transitioning from experimental animal treatments to human trials, he faces mounting pressure. He agrees to treat a young boy attacked by a rabid dog, a daring decision that could either shatter or validate his life's work. The treatment's success marks a monumental achievement, further propelling Pasteur's quest to prove that microbes are the cause of all disease, forever altering the course of medical history. The story of Louis Pasteur is a stirring testament to the relentless pursuit of truth, the courage to challenge the status quo, and the transformative power of science.

The Story of Louis Pasteur is a drama movie featuring Paul Muni.

It is possible to buy The Story of Louis Pasteur on Amazon Video.