That Mothers Might Live (1938): cast, story & where to watch
1938 · Film · ★ 5.5
Released in 1938, That Mothers Might Live is a drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann, running about 10 minutes.
What it’s about. That Mothers Might Live is a 1938 American short drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann. The short is a brief account of Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis and his discovery of the need for cleanliness in 19th-century maternity wards, thereby significantly decreasing maternal mortality, and of his struggle to gain acceptance of his idea. Although Semmelweis ultimately failed in his lifetime, later scientific luminaries advanced his work in spirit like microbiologist Louis Pasteur, who provided a scientific theoretical explanation of Semmelweis' observations by helping develop the germ theory of disease and the British surgeon, Dr. Joseph Lister who revolutionized medicine putting Pasteur's research to practical use. In 1939, at the 11th Academy Awards, the film won an Oscar for Best Short Subject (One-Reel).
Who’s in it. That Mothers Might Live stars John Nesbitt as Narrator (voice), Shepperd Strudwick as Dr. Semmelweis, Rudolph Anders as Doctor (uncredited) and King Baggot as Passerby (uncredited), among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, That Mothers Might Live has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch That Mothers Might Live page.
If you liked it. Fans of That Mothers Might Live tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch That Mothers Might Live (1938)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for That Mothers Might Live change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is That Mothers Might Live worth watching?
- That Mothers Might Live holds an audience score of 5.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in That Mothers Might Live?
- That Mothers Might Live stars John Nesbitt, Shepperd Strudwick, Rudolph Anders, King Baggot and William Bailey.
- When was That Mothers Might Live released?
- That Mothers Might Live was released in 1938, with a runtime of about 10 minutes.