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Special Features
- Printable materials for educators
- Described video for the visually impaired
- Access to the Nova website
Editorial Reviews
His house was firebombed. He lost his job on the eve of the Depression. He took on powerful, entrenched interests in the scientific establishment and overcame countless obstacles to become a world-class chemist, a self-made millionaire, and a humanitarian. Yet despite his achievements, Percy Julian’s story is largely unknown.
The grandson of Alabama slaves, Julian broke the color barrier in American science more than a decade before Jackie Robinson did in baseball. A brilliant innovator, he discovered a way to turn soybeans into synthetic steroids on an industrial scale, helping to make drugs like cortisone available to millions.
InForgotten Genius, a special two-hour presentation starring Tony-award winning actor Ruben Santiago-Hudson, NOVA brings Julian’s scientific breakthroughs and gripping biography to life, with vivid period reenactments based on newly opened family archives and interviews with dozens of colleagues and relatives.
Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; a link to the NOVA Web site; scene selections; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.
On one DVD5 disc. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
It's very fascinating to me that this work was a NOVA project, rather than an American Experience one. I really wonder if PBS were trying to get hardcore scientists to think about history, race, and other matters they might not usually explore.
I disagree somewhat with the title. Yes, more people may have heard of George Washington Carver, however, Dr. Julian is not "forgotten." There's an important high school in Chicago named after him. He also has a US postal stamp made in his honor. My guess is that he's beloved in Black scientific circles.
Too often, many (mis)conclude that "the Emancipation Proclamation solved everything for Blacks" or "the Civil Rights movement corrected any other leftover matters for them." This work provides numerous examples of anti-Black racism. Just as Sandra Day O'Connor was not given legal jobs after finishing at the top of her law class, Dr. Julian was constantly rejected from graduate programs. Just as Harvard recently disrespected Dr. Cornel West, Harvard prevented Dr. Julian from finishing his Ph.D. there. Just as Malcolm X's teacher told him he couldn't dream to be a professional, white scientists told Dr. Julian he should be more than satisfied that he had an undergraduate degree. I love how this work demonstrated that racism continually caused problems for this talented brother.
On the other hand, I don't think non-Blacks will be "threatened" by this work. As. Dr. Julian faced much institutional racism, he also had several white allies that aided him. The fact here reminded me of Thomas and Dr. Blaylock, Jesse Owens and Lutz Lung, or even the interracial buddies of "Brian's Song." I also loved seeing that Dr. Julian lifted as he climbed.... Read more ›
I disagree somewhat with the title. Yes, more people may have heard of George Washington Carver, however, Dr. Julian is not "forgotten." There's an important high school in Chicago named after him. He also has a US postal stamp made in his honor. My guess is that he's beloved in Black scientific circles.
Too often, many (mis)conclude that "the Emancipation Proclamation solved everything for Blacks" or "the Civil Rights movement corrected any other leftover matters for them." This work provides numerous examples of anti-Black racism. Just as Sandra Day O'Connor was not given legal jobs after finishing at the top of her law class, Dr. Julian was constantly rejected from graduate programs. Just as Harvard recently disrespected Dr. Cornel West, Harvard prevented Dr. Julian from finishing his Ph.D. there. Just as Malcolm X's teacher told him he couldn't dream to be a professional, white scientists told Dr. Julian he should be more than satisfied that he had an undergraduate degree. I love how this work demonstrated that racism continually caused problems for this talented brother.
On the other hand, I don't think non-Blacks will be "threatened" by this work. As. Dr. Julian faced much institutional racism, he also had several white allies that aided him. The fact here reminded me of Thomas and Dr. Blaylock, Jesse Owens and Lutz Lung, or even the interracial buddies of "Brian's Song." I also loved seeing that Dr. Julian lifted as he climbed.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Featuring Tony Award-winning actor Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Percy Julian: Forgotten Genius is a DVD biography of a truly exceptional American scientist, humanitarian, and self-made millionaire. The grandson of Alabama slaves, Percy Julian shattered the color barrier in science over a decade before Jackie Robinson did in baseball. Julian discovered how to transform soybeans into synthetic steroids on an industrial scale, and helped to make modern medical drugs like cortisone available to patients. Originally shown as part of the public television series NOVA, Percy Julian: Forgotten Genius is a vivid and enlightening documentary featuring period reenactments and drawing heavily from family archives and dozens of interviews with Julian's colleagues and relatives. Highly recommended for school, library, and private DVD collections alike. 112 minutes, color.
By butler
Amazon Verified Purchase
The movie/documentary was very interesting. I knew nothing about the person prior to the movie. The movie supports the need for education among people of color and highlights the difficulties faced with obtaining and using that education.
Amazon Verified Purchase
The scientific work of Percy Julian is a must read for all educators and historians. It depicts the mastery, the dedication of his work, and the impact it made on American science. I highly recommend this video to all.
By dtobert
Amazon Verified Purchase
Great movie for student encouragement, everyone should see this remarkable story of a true African American Hero in the field of Chemistry.
By Quibie
Amazon Verified Purchase
This documentary is excellent for Black History, History, or Science. I could not stop watching it. It was well made and very interesting
By Monk Seal
Amazon Verified Purchase
I highly recommend this NOVA production. Beautifully written and acted, it seems to me to be the result of a team who loved and respected Dr. Julian for his contribution to healthcare and for his dedication to humanity. I enjoyed the handling of the science as well as the attention to his personal, professional and community social life. I have benefitted from Dr. Julian's contribution to my well-being through cortizone which singularly allows me to live a productive life. I'm sure my home is more beautiful as a result of his work with paints. The story of racism in America is tragic. I watch this program over and over. Percy Julian's personal fight against injustice and his commitment to serve people, inspire my own humble efforts to bring about better lives for individuals, families and communities. This is a dvd to share.
Percy Julian was born in 1899 Alabama and lived his most productive years in Chicago as a pioneering organic chemist. He worked on a variety of industrial applications, but he is best-known for his research on alkaloids and steroids, including applications that offered cures for diseases. Every step of the way, he encountered racial barriers, including in post-World War II Oak Park, where his large home on East Avenue was bombed when his children were at home with a baby-sitter and Julian and his wife were out of town. The film combines historical footage with dramatization, drawing on his own words. This documentary also sets the standard for portraying complex scientific ideas in a way that the educated viewer can understand. Percy Julian's life must not be forgotten.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
TRULY INSPIRING
I must say that although i am not of african american decent, i was truly inspired when i saw percy julian's life story on nova. i see why it is entitled "forgotten genius". Read more
Published on May 23, 2009 by tillis brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
A compelling look at a little known hero of our time
Percy Julian's work should be known to all. This film is easy to understand and compelling to watch.
Published on May 14, 2009 by Joan
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating video of a hard working scientist
This video is of the best quality ever. It was amazingly well created. It shows the life of Julian Percy and at the same time, it presents the chemical accomplishments he made in... Read more
Published on June 30, 2008 by Horacio F. Olivo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Forgotten Genius Needs to Be in Every Public School Library
I knew the name "Percy L. Julian" growing up in Phoenix, Arizona because there is a Phoenix Elementary School District #1 School named after this great scientist. Read more
Published on April 11, 2008 by Angie B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dr. Percy L. Julian is *not* forgotten ...
Other than that assumption, this was a gripping, honest retelling of an exemplary life. Thank you for this fairly accurate description of Julian's achievements.
Published on December 28, 2007 by Harriet Washington
