This made-for-tv movie runs 3 hours but is worth it, indeed.
It begins with young Alex Bell's childhood in Ireland, and follows both his development as an inventor and his usually strained, disapproving relationship with his father, who felt Alex was a useless daydreamer.
Instead, Alex goes on to become a successful deaf teacher, contemporary with Gallaudet who is protrayed as well in the movie, although the two didn't see eye-to-eye on approaches to teaching the deaf.
Alex begins to invent a number of interesting items as well as discovering a broad spectrum of new ideas and theories. I was amazed to see what all he has contributed to our civilization in a number of areas, even including his neck-in-neck competition with the Wright Brothers to invent a controllable self-propelled aircraft.
This movie is very heartwarming and fresh. The only annoying part was the sometimes quick changes in age as Alex and others grow old, and the sudden change in a new actor for the character occasionally leaves one bewildered for a few moments or even minutes.
Overall, this is a fantastic, educational film for everyone, and a great family movie that could lead to a nice project on studying the life and contributions of Alexander Graham Bell.
