Educational Media Reviews Online

This Australian news program with a very dramatic title sets the stage for an introduction to the growing problem of antibiotic resistant bacteria and the resultant formation of “superbugs.” It covers the reasons for the development of these fearsome infections, primarily overuse of antibiotics, and focuses in on resistant strains of E. coli, NDM1, and tuberculosis.

The actual medical cases used to illustrate the power of these superbugs are downright scary—an emotion repeated in the film by the physicians and scientists interviewed. In addition to antibiotic overuse, Rise of the Superbugs highlights the other main factors in creating this worldwide public health problem—fewer pharmaceutical companies are making the proper drugs because it isn’t profitable; lack of government regulations and policies; and the prevalence in underdeveloped areas. Suggestions are given for ways to combat this scourge, including proper hospital design; a return to pre-1940s radical surgery to rid the body of infected areas; and proper cleaning of hospitals with good, old-fashioned bleach.

The basic overview of bacteria resistance in the first two-thirds of the program sticks to the main theme, forming a good foundation yet begging for more research details. The final third concerns the resurgence of resistant TB, but instead of going forward to present more science and in-depth research into the larger concept of resistant bacteria, the program falters by delving into way too deep into local (New Guinea and Australia) geo-political and economic issues. The shift in focus is a bit abrupt, and left this reviewer wondering where the program was leading and why. Technically, the DVD is well done, as any Australian Broadcasting Company production is, however, due to the emphasis on local geographic concerns, the very basic news program style, and some overly melodramatic music, this DVD is recommended with reservations for North American higher education classroom use.