Stairway to Light

Director: Sammy Lee
Writers: John Nesbitt (story) Rosemary Foster (screenplay)
Release Date: November 3, 1945
Awards: Oscar for Best Short Subject, One reel in 1946
Narrated by John Nesbitt
This Passing Parade series entry tells the story of Dr. Phillipe Pinel (1745-1826), a French physician. When he was assigned to a government institution for the mentally ill, he was appalled at the conditions he found. People were treated like animals, chained in dark basement cells for decades. Dr. Pinel treated the patients with kindness and understanding. His then-unorthodox methods became the model for treating those with mental illness.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Philippe
• Pinel
• psychology
• psychiatry
• medical
• research

[spoechhacker]

My teacher showed us this video in class today. Thanks for posting.

[XOtericate]

@spoechhacker Thank you! Did your teacher comment on the historical accuracy of this film?

[Yarfangor]

Great Video, I'm a studying Psychology student and my Teacher posted this video link in class. Great great stuff. Thanks for posting!

[XOtericate]

@Yarfangor Thank you! I'm glad I posted something with some educational value!

[JesseAndMike]

Cool video :D Is this story real?

[XOtericate]

This story is based on a historical figure. I don't know how factual this short film is, but I'm sure less embellishment went into it than one of Oliver Stone's historical accounts. Thanks for watching guys!

[verschlaefer]

who has the right to decide who is mad and normal? pinel changed the handling but the idea about madness was and still is the same.

[jasper36]

I'm hearing the voice of my Grandfather, and it's blowing my mind. Thank you!

[jasper36]

I'm hearing the voice of my Grandfather and it's amazing. He died long before I was born and I don't know much beyond vague allusions to his dysfunctional family life and his early death.

He is so articulate and eloquent. Thank you!

[the7thwreck]

God Bless Dr Phillippe Pirnel....we may still be in chains if it werent for him.

[glove472000]

Good video, got his name from psych class and wanted to see what he was about