United Nations, 1947 - In this film one crippled child learns to walk: first to move, then to stand, and finally to take his first steps. The film deals with modern techniques of physiotherapy, and the need to develop the whole child - his emotions and his mind as well as his muscles - is stressed. Skilled adult workers offer not only massage and therapy, but also love and understanding, and occupational therapy for children and takes the form of both play and work. Movements learned become part of the daily jobs of feeding and dressing. Early attempts to walk are made with the help of apparatus. Finally the initially hesitant steps on his own are taken. As the film ends the boy walks. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2005.
"The first goal of therapy is self-help"! Hmmm, well perhaps that gives us an indication as to just how this UN documentary has been constructed. Accompanied by one of these orchestral scores that you're never quite sure if it's playing at the correct speed, we are shown some frankly quite terrific images of young folks with varying degree of disability who are enthusiastically determined to thrive. Passive exercise, physiotherapy, teamwork and play are all used by trained professionals and with only a very limited focus on the embryonic science of prosthetics, this is all very much an human process. Some of the language might come across as a little uncharitable, the terminology a bit brutal by 2024 standards and the children are all referred to as "he" - even when it's abundantly clear they are not a boy! That said, though, it's hard not to see and admire the inspirational motivation that underpins this ten minutes of hope and will-power amongst these children.
