All About Tesla

All About Tesla is a unique and highly engaging documentary that was released in the year 2007. Directed and written by Michael Krause, this film shines a spotlight on the life, works, and complexities of the genius inventor, Nikola Tesla.

Michael Krause, as a filmmaker, has brought a fresh perspective to Tesla's tale. The documentary isn't just about highlighting his numerous scientific achievements, but it also delves deep into understanding the personality and character of Tesla, further delivering an immersive viewing experience for the audience.

The film begins by tracing Tesla's early life in Smiljan, now in Croatia, where he was born in 1856. As a son of an orthodox priest, and a mother who invented household appliances, he showed wonders of brilliance from an early age. The documentary walks the audience through this intriguing aspect of Tesla's early life, setting the backdrop for the extensive journey into Tesla's life that is to follow.

The central focus of the documentary, however, stands on Tesla's numerous inventions and his trajectory as a scientist. It beautifully highlights his various contributions including the development of alternating current, Tesla coil and his predictions of wireless communication. His infamous and often tumultuous rivalry with inventor Thomas Edison, also forms a crucial narrative in the film. Through vintage photographs, interviews of experts, dramatic re-enactments, and animated sequences, the movie manages to bring alive Tesla's genius in a fascinating way.

Balancing historical facts with subtle storytelling, Krause has done a commendable job in maintaining the engaging narrative of the film. He takes the audience through Tesla's journey as an inventor, his struggle with the scientific community, his dreams of creating free energy for the world, and his final days of solitude. The film doesn't shy away from addressing Tesla's eccentricities either, giving the audience an authentic and comprehensive insight into his life.

'All About Tesla' largely benefits from its unique approach of storytelling. Instead of creating a mere chronological narrative of events, Krause takes the audience on a road trip across Europe and America. He visits various locations associated with Tesla, including his birthplace and numerous laboratories, engages with a host of Tesla experts, enthusiasts, scholars, and even artists to weave an exciting and informative tapestry of information.

One of the interesting aspects of the film is its attempt to critique the historical evaluation of Tesla's contributions. Nikola Tesla, despite his radical inventions, suffered from financial constraints and didn't receive the recognition he deserved in his lifetime. This movie underscores this often overlooked facet of his life and critically evaluates the historical narrative surrounding Tesla.

The juxtaposition of period photographs, re-enactments, and interviews with Tesla enthusiasts creates a non-linear but compelling narrative. The movie also features an extensive interview with one of the most respected Tesla biographers, Marc J. Seifer, which adds significant value to the film. The movie's narration is well complemented by the beautiful cinematography and an evocative background score that upholds the spirit of the era and the inspiring aura of Tesla.

'All About Tesla' is not just a documentary for science enthusiasts. It's a profoundly human story about a brilliant inventor's undying passion, persistence, and the struggle to realize dreams that were beyond his time. The 2007 film shines with a sincere tribute to a man who envisaged a future that we 'live in' today; a testament to the power of imagination and the quest for knowledge.

Anyone with an interest in history, science, technology, or simply passionate about human stories of grit and determination will find 'All About Tesla' a captivating watch. This isn't a film that merely informs, it also inspires, reminding us of the infinite potential of the human mind. Director Michael Krause has ensured that by the end of the film, the audience is not just well-versed in the facts about Tesla, but that they’ve also traversed a deeply emotional journey about this extraordinary man.