The English Surgeon (2007)

Geoffrey Smith’s multi-award-winning documentary centres on the work of Henry Marsh, a leading British brain surgeon, and a pioneer of neurosurgical technique whose expertise provides a glimmer of hope to patients in impoverished post-Soviet Ukraine.Instrumental in creating a viable clinic in Kyiv that could offer hope to those who would otherwise go untreated, Marsh literally holds the power of life and death in his hands, provoking inevitable moral dilemmas. Grounded in compassion and humanity, this fascinating film unsentimentally explores the often complex relationship with his patients. Beautifully shot and edited, with a haunting score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, this powerful, emotive film shares the triumphs of Marsh’s successes and the profound sorrow of his failures.“This is one extraordinary documentary, approaching hugely emotive subject matter with nimble delicacy and, it has to be said, steely reserve... A life-affirming, unforgettable portrait of a true humanitarian.” Time Out