The Story of Alfred Nobel
The Story of Alfred Nobel

Movie spotlight

The Story of Alfred Nobel

1939
Movie
11 min
English

This John Nesbitt's Passing Parade short tells the story of Alfred Nobel, who invented dynamite, and later established the Nobel Prize.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Director: H.C. PotterGenres: Biography, Drama, History

Plot Summary

This biographical drama chronicles the life of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor best known for inventing dynamite. The film follows his personal struggles, his controversial business dealings, and his ultimate desire to leave a different legacy through the establishment of the Nobel Prizes.

Critical Reception

Upon its release, 'The Story of Alfred Nobel' received moderate attention, praised for its historical scope and performances but sometimes criticized for its pacing and dramatic interpretation of Nobel's life. It serves as an early cinematic exploration of the man behind the prestigious prizes.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film offers an informative, if somewhat dramatized, account of Nobel's life.

  • Fredric March delivers a compelling performance as the complex inventor.

  • While covering significant life events, some viewers found the narrative to be somewhat uneven.

Google audience: Audience reception for this older film is not widely documented. Early reviews indicate it was seen as a solid, if not groundbreaking, historical drama.

Fun Fact

Although Fredric March portrayed Alfred Nobel, the film's historical accuracy has been debated by scholars, particularly concerning the depiction of Nobel's personal relationships and the development of dynamite.

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