Watch Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale, the 1985 film, is a biographical drama directed by Daryl Duke and based on the true story of the life of the renowned nursing pioneer, Florence Nightingale. The film features Jaclyn Smith in the titular role, capturing Florence Nightingale's incredible character, her passion for nursing as a profession, and her battle against the societal norms of the Victorian era of England.

The film is set in the early to mid-19th century when the female gender was considered inferior in terms of education and job opportunities. Women were expected to marry and lead the stereotypical domestic life. But Florence Nightingale refused to comply with this and chose to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She took up training in Germany under the tutelage of Pastor Theodor Fliedner and later returned to the UK in the hope of finding work as a nurse.

The narrative of the film shows how Florence struggled and eventually broke the taboos that barred women from pursuing careers in medicine or nursing. She is shown as a strong-willed and confident young woman who was determined to make a difference in society. Her struggles, such as her inability to secure a job as a nurse despite having remarkable expertise, and the usual role of women specifically limited by societal demands and norms, are portrayed in the film with earnestness.

In the movie, we see how Florence is approached by Sidney Herbert, a politician seeking her assistance with improving the unhealthy conditions in local military hospitals. Although initially hesitant, Florence eventually agrees and discovers the appalling sanitary conditions of the hospitals. This led her on a mission to revolutionize the system and bring in change, making significant contributions to military hygiene and saving lives through her innovations. The film delves into Florence's relentless efforts to improve the quality of health care, which she demonstrates with tremendous passion.

Jaclyn Smith does an excellent job depicting the iconic nurse's unwavering commitment and harsh training regimen, which remain a defining feature of her life. She adopts Florence's distinctive attributes such as her steadfastness, intelligence, and perseverance towards both nursing and women's empowerment. The character of Florence is brought to life with great patience and care, and Smith's performance conveys the nurse's philosophical beliefs and sense of purpose quite effortlessly.

The other actors, too, performed admirably. Timothy Dalton plays Sidney Herbert, who becomes a significant influence in Florence's journey. He is shown as a kind-hearted and supportive ally of Florence who helps her in every way possible. Dalton's portrayal of the politician is very impressive, and he brings out Sidney's persuasive and sincere character.

Claire Bloom plays Frances Nightingale, Florence's mother, and gives a wonderful performance, majorly conveying the pain and joy of parenthood. Despite being initially hesitant to support Florence's plans to become a nurse, Frances comes to understand and support Florence's choices. As a mother, Bloom's performance is emotional and exquisitely tender, making her an endearing character in the movie.

Overall, Florence Nightingale is a beautifully crafted movie that highlights the inherent struggles Florence faces as she fights against the patriarchal society and serves humanity. It highlights her selflessness, leadership, and strong-willed nature which defined her persona. The film's authentic setting, attention to detail, excellent performances, and breathtaking cinematography, make it a must-watch for those seeking inspiration from a significant figure in history.

In conclusion, Florence Nightingale is a landmark biopic that showcases the struggles and triumphs of one of the world's most exceptional nurses who defined nursing globally. It shines a light on strong women who aspire to defy societal norms of their time and work towards their chosen field's well-being. It is a touching story that inspires and encourages people to pursue their dreams despite any obstacle they may face. Florence Nightingale remains an important figure in the history of nursing, and this film rightly honours her legacy.

Florence Nightingale is a 1985 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.