Educational Media Reviews Online

The Knowledge of Healing provides a fascinating look at the theory and practice of Tibetan medicine. The documentary combines a history of the craft along with examples of healing. Interwoven into the fabric of the film is an exploration of Buddhist thinking which aids in further understanding the theory behind Tibetan medicine. The Knowledge of Healing affords the viewer the opportunity to explore another approach to healing, one very different from Western medicine.

Hoehn and Reichle have created a piece that follows a smooth, natural course and provides a well-balanced examination of the topic. They incorporate Western medicine into the film and discuss how it can work in conjunction with Tibetan medicine. For the skeptical, Western doctors confirm that the Tibetan treatments really work. The film begins with the unwrapping of the Gyuschi (the Tibetan book of medicine) and concludes with its re-wrapping signifying the film has come full circle.

A major issue with the film is in the use of subtitles. The piece is almost entirely in foreign languages making subtitles pivotal to understanding the content. White subtitles are used exclusively throughout the film. Unfortunately, when the background is a lighter color the subtitles become very difficult to read. The viewer is straining to make out the text and not able to experience what is happening on screen. Some translated sentences seem to be choppy and disjointed making for difficult reading. The viewer is concentrating on reading and comprehending the subtitles and not paying attention to anything else.

At one point in the film, Western physicians talk about medical processes and medicinal formulas. They delve into deep detail about chemical processes which seem beyond the scope of this film.

The Knowledge of Healing is recommended for college and university libraries with collections in philosophy, medicine or science. Public library collections might also benefit from this film depending on their patron base.