Movie

That Mothers Might Live

★ 6.2(12)193810m

That Mothers Might Live isn't available to stream, rent or buy in Italy right now. Availability changes often, so check back soon. Availability checked 21 July 2026.

Where to watch That Mothers Might Live

🇮🇹 Italy

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Good to know

Director: Fred Zinnemann
Release date: 1938-04-30
Runtime: 10m
Language: English
Status: Released
Country: United States of America
Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

About That Mothers Might Live

That Mothers Might Live is a 1938 movie in the Drama genre, directed by Fred Zinnemann, starring John Nesbitt, Shepperd Strudwick and Rudolph Anders. It has a runtime of 10 minutes. It holds an average rating of 6.2/10 from 12 viewers. Below you can see where to watch That Mothers Might Live in Italy — across streaming, rental and purchase options — along with the full cast, trailer and viewer reviews.

Synopsis

That Mothers Might Live is a 1938 American short drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann. The short is a brief account of Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis and his discovery of the need for cleanliness in 19th-century maternity wards, thereby significantly decreasing maternal mortality, and of his struggle to gain acceptance of his idea. Although Semmelweis ultimately failed in his lifetime, later scientific luminaries advanced his work in spirit like microbiologist Louis Pasteur, who provided a scientific theoretical explanation of Semmelweis' observations by helping develop the germ theory of disease and the British surgeon, Dr. Joseph Lister who revolutionized medicine putting Pasteur's research to practical use. In 1939, at the 11th Academy Awards, the film won an Oscar for Best Short Subject (One-Reel).

Cast

John Nesbitt

Narrator (voice)

Shepperd Strudwick

Dr. Semmelweis

Rudolph Anders

Doctor (uncredited)

King Baggot

Passerby (uncredited)

William Bailey

Passerby (uncredited)

Barbara Bedford

Nun Reading Book (uncredited)

Ralph Brooks

Medical Student at Lecture (uncredited)

Mary Howard

Young Stricken Mother (uncredited)

Leonard Penn

Semmelweis' Assistant (uncredited)

Beatrice Roberts

Passerby (uncredited)

Edward Van Sloan

Hospital Chief of Staff (uncredited)

E. Alyn Warren

Professor (uncredited)

Themes & keywords

infectiondeath in childbirthwashing handsgermsmaternitychild birthsanitation

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch That Mothers Might Live in Italy?+

That Mothers Might Live is not currently listed on any streaming, rental or purchase service in Italy. Availability changes often, so check back or switch your region.

Is That Mothers Might Live on Netflix?+

That Mothers Might Live is not on Netflix in Italy right now.

How long is That Mothers Might Live?+

That Mothers Might Live has a runtime of 10 minutes (10 minutes).

Who stars in That Mothers Might Live?+

That Mothers Might Live stars John Nesbitt, Shepperd Strudwick, Rudolph Anders, King Baggot and William Bailey.

When did That Mothers Might Live come out?+

That Mothers Might Live is a 1938 movie directed by Fred Zinnemann.

What genre is That Mothers Might Live?+

That Mothers Might Live is Drama film.

Who directed That Mothers Might Live?+

That Mothers Might Live was directed by Fred Zinnemann.