Albert Schweitzer: Called to Africa

This award-winning inspirational docudrama written and directed by Martin Doblmeier (Bonhoeffer, The Power of Forgiveness) follows the life of Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965), who at age 30—while serving as a pastor in Strasbourg, France, content to play his beloved Bach on the big church pipe organ—suddenly announced to his flock that he felt called to go to medical school and then serve as a doctor in Africa. With the sponsorship of the Paris Missionary Society, Schweitzer traveled in 1913 to Lambarene—in what was then the French Congo, in West Africa, now Gabon—where he opened a tiny clinic in what he described as “an old chicken coop with no water and a leaky roof.” Schweitzer won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1954 for his work in Africa (as well as his “reverence for life” philosophy) and the hospital he founded—much expanded—still operates today. Told from the point of view of Schweitzer's wife, Helene—a nurse—the film was shot on location in Strasbourg and Lambarene, and features excellent performances by actors Jeff McCarthy (as Schweitzer) and Anne Torsiglieri (as Helene) in the dramatized segments. DVD extras include bonus interviews with Schweitzer's daughter and granddaughter, biographers, and theologians. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Zoretich)