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Blaise Pascal was one of several historical films directed by Robert Rossellini for Italian television in the late 1960s to early 1970s. The film covers the life of 17th century French philosopher Blaise Pascal, from age 17 to his death, at 39, in 1662. Much is made of the agnostic Pascal's prophetic musings, notably his plans to create a calculating machine and a "rapid transit" system (involving horse-drawn busses), and his controversial theory of The Vacuum. After a lifetime of fighting religious intolerance, Pascal professes his belief in God on his deathbed. Pierre Arditi plays the title role in the 131-minute Blaise Pascal, which was written by Rossellini, Marcella Mariani, and Luciano Scaffa.