Mesmer (film)

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Movie
German title Mesmer
Original title Mesmer
Country of production Austria / CDN / UK / D
original language English
Publishing year 1994
length 109 minutes
Rod
Director Roger Spottiswoode
script Dennis Potter
production Wieland Schulz-Keil
Lance W. Reynolds
Robert G. Goodale
music Michael Nyman
Maria Theresa Paradise
camera Elemér Ragályi
cut Susan Shipton
occupation

Mesmer is a feature film by director Roger Spottiswoode . He tells of the life of the doctor and founder of "Mesmerism", Franz Anton Mesmer , who is portrayed by Alan Rickman .

action

The film begins in Vienna around 1770: Mesmer, as a miracle healer, arouses the ridicule and contempt of the Viennese medical profession. He treats his mentally suffering patients with completely unorthodox - sometimes successful - methods. He lives in an unhappy marriage to his wife, whom he married as a rich widow. The household also includes the son Franz and the wife's younger cousin, Francisca, as well as u. a. the servant Gregor.

Mesmer's big fall will be the blind pianist Maria Theresia Paradies . At one of her concerts in Vienna, at an evening party, Mesmer succeeds in bringing an attack by the young artist under control. Thereupon, against the will of her father (by whom she is sexually abused ), she pushes through therapy with Mesmer. He understands their blindness as a hysterical refusal to see the world. Maria Theresa's treatment seems to be successful. She can see again after an unfortunate fall during treatment.

Shortly thereafter, Mesmer is condemned as a charlatan, cheater and false miracle healer, expelled from the medical faculty of Vienna and expelled from the country. He fled to Paris, where he was particularly successful in treating epileptics and hysterical aristocrats (including Konstanze Breitebner ).

Years later, on the eve of the French Revolution , he had to face a hearing at the Royal Medical Society in Paris. This wants to expose him as a charlatan. Maria Theresa is demonstrated. Even before she reveals that she is blind again, the angry people break into the hall and drive the scholars to flight. Mesmer and Maria Theresa stay behind with their confession that they do not want to see in this world.

Award

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