Something the Lord Made

About "Something the Lord Made"

"Something the Lord Made" is a 2004 American telefilm made by HBO. Directed by Joseph Sargent, it is a drama based on the real-life partnership of cardiac pioneers Vivien Thomas and Dr. Alfred Blalock. The movie tells the story of the two men who defied the rules of their time to launch a medical revolution, set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow era – covering their discovery and development of a cure for blue baby syndrome in the 1940s.

Making / Production

"Something the Lord Made" came into existence through the dedicated production efforts of HBO Films. The script was impeccably penned by Peter Silverman and Robert Caswell while the direction was neatly handled by Joseph Sargent. Filming largely took place in Baltimore, Maryland.

Actors

• Alan Rickman: Playing the role of Dr. Alfred Blalock, Rickman brilliantly portrays a man conflicted by ambition, self-doubt, and complex relationships with his colleagues.
• Mos Def: He gives a riveting performance as Vivien Thomas, showcasing him as a determined, patient and resourceful individual battling the racial prejudices of the time.
• Kyra Sedgwick: She played the role of Mary Blalock, Alfred's wife, offering a loving but firm presence.
• Gabrielle Union: Played Clara Thomas, Vivien's supportive wife.
• Mary Stuart Masterson: Played Dr. Helen Taussig, who worked closely with Blalock and Thomas.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• "Something the Lord Made" is based on the award-winning article "Like Something the Lord Made" published in 1989 by Katie McCabe in The Washingtonian.
• Mos Def prepared for the role by observing actual heart surgery.
• The movie title comes from a statement made by a mother of a child with Tetralogy of Fallot, thanking Vivien Thomas for saving her child's life.

Awards

"Something the Lord Made" won the 2005 Emmy Award for Outstanding Made for Television Movie. Additionally, both Alan Rickman and Mos Def were nominated for their performances. The movie also won the 2004 Peabody Awards.

Quotes

• "You know, Vivien, I'd say in the whole world, you might be the only one who really understands." - Dr. Alfred Blalock
• "I always wanted to be a doctor. And I became one. I wanted to be rich, too. And I am. But I traded it for something else. For you, Vivien. For you." - Dr. Alfred Blalock
• "We going to make medical history tomorrow if this works." - Vivien Thomas

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by Christopher Young who created moving and poignant tunes that match the emotional depth of the movie.