- Year: 1994
- Genre: biography, drama
- Director: Roger Spottiswoode
- Cast: Alan Rickman, Amanda Ooms, Donal Donnelly, Gillian Barge, David Hemblen, Simon McBurney, Anna Thalbach, David Burke, Peter Dvorsky
- Plot: A biography of the 18-century Viennese physician Franz Anton Mesmer, who used unorthodox healing practices based on his theory of “animal magnetism.”
“Mesmer” is a historical drama that tells the story of the life and work of the 18th-century Austrian physician Franz Anton Mesmer, who became famous for his experiments with magnetism and hypnosis. In the film, Alan Rickman plays the role of Franz Mesmer, a man trying to find a scientific explanation for his healing methods, which sparked both fascination and skepticism in society.
The film focuses on his career as Mesmer attempts to prove that his methods—“magnetic therapy”—can treat a wide range of physical and psychological ailments. However, his approaches are met with great doubt in scientific circles, leading to conflicts and revelations. Mesmer finds himself at the center of a scientific scandal, which leads him to stand trial.
Rickman, as Mesmer, masterfully conveys the emotional tension and complexity of the character, who, torn between the scientific quest for truth and his belief in unconventional healing methods, seeks to address important questions about health and morality in his era. The film explores themes of ambition, scientific discovery, and personal beliefs that can change the course of history.
Main cast
- Alan Rickman as Franz Anton Mesmer
- Amanda Ooms as Maria Theresa Paradies
- Donal Donnelly as Doctor
- David Burke as Doctor
- David Hemblen as Dr. Ingehousz
- Simon McBurney as Franz
- Gillian Barge as Frau Mesmer
- Peter Dvorsky as Dr. Deslon
- Anna Thalbach as Francisca
- Flóra Kádár as The Afflicted
Details
This movie was shot in Vienna, Austria with the interior shots filmed at Esterházy Palace in Fertõd, Hungary.
Mesmer was released in August 1994 in Canada, at the Montréal World Film Festival.
