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      The Great Moment

      1944 1h 23m Biography List
      67% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 30% Audience Score 100+ Ratings Based on the life and achievements of W.T.G. Morton, the dentist who discovered the anesthetic qualities of ether. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

      View All (9) Critics Reviews
      Derek Adams Time Out Recut by the studio and generally considered to be a failure, it's nevertheless an oddly moving film that sticks obstinately and agreeably in the mind. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Bosley Crowther New York Times Perhaps scientific inspiration is not conventionally reverenced in this film. But, at least, Mr. Sturges has triumphed over stiffness in screen biography. Rated: 3.5/5 Mar 25, 2006 Full Review Kathy Fennessy Video Librarian Magazine The Great Moment is worth seeing for the engaging story and lively performances. Rated: 2.5/4 May 13, 2022 Full Review Dennis Harvey 48 Hills The script’s complex flashback structure was jettisoned for a simpler but unsatisfying edit that made the serious-minded story feel underdeveloped. Mar 28, 2022 Full Review Robert E. Sherwood LIFE The wise magnates, as usual, will proceed to wonder why they are losing money, and why patriotic American audiences are so eager to patronize German-made movies. Oct 5, 2021 Full Review Steve Crum Video-Reviewmaster.com One of lesser known gems by master Preston Sturges. Rated: 5/5 Feb 19, 2008 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (6) audience reviews
      Audience Member An enjoyable movie, but not the best from director Preston Sturges. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member Recut by the studio and generally considered to be a failure, it's nevertheless an oddly moving film that sticks obstinately and agreeably in the mind. but this description is mixing 'the gr8 moment' with the 'gr8 mcginty' what a mess flixter!!!!! Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Okay bio-pic a real change of pace for Sturges but it feels incomplete. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member This biopic about William Thomas Green Morton (Joel McCrea), pioneer in the use of ether as a surgical anaesthetic, was a curious but not altogether successful departure for Preston Sturges. After a scrappy and sombre opening, during which the story threatens to unfold in reverse chronological order, the film settles into a lengthy flashback, lightens considerably and becomes very entertaining. It's almost as if Sturges set out to tell a sad tale with due solemnity (of a man who never received the recognition he deserved), managed to get so far into it and then couldn't resist throwing in some gags. Consequently, the film is never quite as funny as you want it to be but far too flippant to serve as a credible biopic. The performances, however, are uniformly excellent. Well worth seeing. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Simplistic Preston Sturges film that is very useful if you ever want to find out the interesting history behind the invention of anesthesia. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Audience Member I am a big fan of Preston Sturges and the PBS historical series "The American Experience." Sadly, this is one combination of peanut butter and chocolate that does not taste great together. This film had a few sweet spots but overall left a rather dull and bland taste in my mouth. Now granted, as James Agee famously noted about the Marx Brothers, anything by Preston Sturges is more worth watching than most things I can think of, and kudos to Sturges for trying to extend himself a bit. It's just that if you have a chance to see a Sturges film, and you have a choice between this and, oh, anything else, choose the other thing. Unless you're particularly curious about the history of anesthesia. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Great Moment

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Based on the life and achievements of W.T.G. Morton, the dentist who discovered the anesthetic qualities of ether.
      Director
      Preston Sturges
      Screenwriter
      Preston Sturges
      Production Co
      Paramount Pictures
      Genre
      Biography
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (DVD)
      Nov 21, 2006
      Runtime
      1h 23m