Educational Media Reviews Online

“The human brain is the most mysterious piece of matter on earth.” This statement serves as an introduction to the fascinating film, Beautiful Minds: The Psychology of the Savants. Savants, sometimes called “knowing-ones,” have astonishing abilities in mathematics, art and music, as well as “acute powers of observation,” but also display profound mental and sometimes physical disabilities as well. The three-part DVD video series “provides an enthralling look into the psychology and neuroscience of the savant’s mysterious world.” The series highlights several savants who possess various superior abilities and illustrates through precise animated 3D images and magnetic resonance imaging, the structures of the brain that may be different in the savant and specific areas of the brain that are active while the savant demonstrates his superior gift.

The series emphasizes worldwide research from many areas including England, the United States, Australia, Germany, and Ireland. The series features prominent medical researchers in savant knowledge including Dr. Darold Treffert of the Wisconsin Medical Society and discoverer of the 100 known savants throughout the world; Prof. Gerhard Roth of the University of Bremen; and Prof. Allan Snyder of the University of Sydney. Their discussions about recent findings help the viewer explore the intricate mysterious capacities of the savants. Especially effective are the demonstrations of brain neurons at work and the interviews with the savants who illustrate their superior abilities. Each part of the series builds on the previous information moving from the storage of information to creativity to developmental differences.

Memory Masters: How Savants Store Information (pt. 1) reviews the mental capacities of savants and features savants who display extraordinary gifts in arithmetic and the ability to remember dates. This part also shows the superior gifts of Kim Peek, a savant whose ability is featured in the movie “Rain Man,” remembering everything he has read in 12,000 books. Researchers also discuss information about the savant abilities and the lack of other skills which cause, in a similar way, their disabilities. The Einstein Effect: Savants and Creativity (pt. 2) examines the creative genius of three savants who demonstrate their abilities through art, sculpture, and music. The viewer also sees the relationship between autism and creativity and discovers similarities between savants and prodigies. A Little Matter of Gender: Developmental Differences among Savants (pt. 3) discusses gender differences in the male and female brain. Since current research shows that 50% of savants are also autistic, this part examines autistic savant Temple Grandin, a savant demonstrating extraordinary sensitivity to the language of livestock and Tommy McHigh, a savant who moved “from a brawler into a gentle soul” after a brain hemorrhage changed his life. This part also examines groundbreaking research that shows a link between testosterone and fetal development and associated behaviors such as late language development and lack of eye contact in children who are later tested as autistic.

Because the series provides the viewer with intensive, compelling, and comprehensive information, the ideal viewing should be with breaks between parts for better comprehension. The accompanying music creates mystery with the use of the voice, guitar, and percussion. The repetition of precise beats by percussion and recurring themes reflect well the subject matter and compliment the complex illustrations of the brain at work. According to Dr. Treffert, the “savant syndrome provides a unique window to the brain.” He also says that “until we understand the savant, we can’t understand ourselves.” This three part series makes an outstanding contribution in this regard. According to the website of the producer, ColourFIELD, the series is “considered a best-seller and even reached top-20-ranks of the "Amazon"-DVD-charts in Germany.” It is an excellent addition to collections in psychology, education, and neuroscience and complements the three-part DVD series, The Human Mind: from Neurons to Knowledge, produced by BBC in 2004. Highly recommended for university and public libraries!