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IMDbPro

The Professor and the Madman

  • 20192019
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
47K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,362
371
Mel Gibson and Sean Penn in The Professor and the Madman (2019)
The compilation of the Oxford English Dictionary began in 1857 and was one of the most ambitious, and revolutionary projects ever undertaken. Professor James Murray (Mel Gibson) took on the challenge of creating the most comprehensive dictionary ever compiled, but knew that it would take him and his team over a century to compile all known definitions. However, by crowd sourcing the work, that is, by enlisting definitions from people all over the world, the dictionary could be compiled in mere decades. As definitions were collected, the overseeing committee, led by Professor Murray, discovered that one man, Dr. W.C. Minor (Sean Penn), had submitted more than ten thousand words. When the committee insisted on honoring him, a shocking truth came to light: Dr. Minor, an American Civil War veteran, was a convicted murderer and being held at an asylum for the criminally insane.
Play trailer2:22
1 Video
99+ Photos
BiographyDramaHistory
Professor James Murray begins work compiling words for the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary in the mid-19th century, and receives over 10,000 entries from a patient at Broadmoo... Read allProfessor James Murray begins work compiling words for the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary in the mid-19th century, and receives over 10,000 entries from a patient at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, Dr. William Minor.Professor James Murray begins work compiling words for the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary in the mid-19th century, and receives over 10,000 entries from a patient at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, Dr. William Minor.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
47K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,362
371
    • Farhad Safinia
  • Writers
    • Todd Komarnicki(screenplay by)
    • Farhad Safinia(screenplay by)
    • Simon Winchester(based on the book by)
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Sean Penn
    • Eddie Marsan
    • Farhad Safinia
  • Writers
    • Todd Komarnicki(screenplay by)
    • Farhad Safinia(screenplay by)
    • Simon Winchester(based on the book by)
  • Stars
    • Mel Gibson
    • Sean Penn
    • Eddie Marsan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 474User reviews
    • 73Critic reviews
    • 27Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:22
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos116

    Mel Gibson in The Professor and the Madman (2019)
    Sean Penn in The Professor and the Madman (2019)
    Mel Gibson in The Professor and the Madman (2019)
    The Professor and the Madman (2019)
    The Professor and the Madman (2019)
    Mel Gibson and Sean Penn in The Professor and the Madman (2019)
    Mel Gibson and Sean Penn in The Professor and the Madman (2019)
    Mel Gibson and Sean Penn in The Professor and the Madman (2019)
    Sean Penn in The Professor and the Madman (2019)
    Mel Gibson and Steve Coogan in The Professor and the Madman (2019)
    Sean Penn in The Professor and the Madman (2019)
    Mel Gibson in The Professor and the Madman (2019)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Mel Gibson
    Mel Gibson
    • James Murray
    Sean Penn
    Sean Penn
    • Dr. William Chester Minor
    Eddie Marsan
    Eddie Marsan
    • Mr. Muncie
    Natalie Dormer
    Natalie Dormer
    • Eliza Merrett
    Jennifer Ehle
    Jennifer Ehle
    • Ada Murray
    Steve Coogan
    Steve Coogan
    • Frederick James Furnivall
    Stephen Dillane
    Stephen Dillane
    • Dr. Richard Brayn
    Ioan Gruffudd
    Ioan Gruffudd
    • Henry Bradley
    Jeremy Irvine
    Jeremy Irvine
    • Charles Hall
    Laurence Fox
    Laurence Fox
    • Philip Lyttelton Gell
    Anthony Andrews
    Anthony Andrews
    • Benjamin Jowett
    Lars Brygmann
    Lars Brygmann
    • Max Mueller
    Bryan Murray
    • Henry Liddell
    David O'Hara
    David O'Hara
    • Church
    Sean Duggan
    Sean Duggan
    • Tom Coleman
    Olivia McKevitt
    Olivia McKevitt
    • Clare Merrett
    Emily Daly
    • Iris Merrett
    Luke Harman
    • Jack Merrett
      • Farhad Safinia
    • Writers
      • Todd Komarnicki(screenplay by)
      • Farhad Safinia(screenplay by)
      • Simon Winchester(based on the book by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The making of the film led to a legal battle between star Mel Gibson and Voltage Pictures, because the latter wouldn't allow Gibson and original director Farhad Safinia to film scenes on location in Oxford, England. Because the film was already over budget and behind schedule, Voltage forced them to use Trinity College in Ireland as a substitute. Gibson and Safinia eventually left the project, with a new director and a new screenwriter (Todd Komarnicki) taking over. Gibson and his production company Icon Productions went to court to prevent the movie from being released, claiming that they were not allowed to finish the movie, but were unsuccessful. Gibson refused to promote the film afterwards.
    • Goofs
      James Murray makes reference to crosswords puzzles; they were not created until 1913.
    • Quotes

      Ada Murray: Sometimes when we push away, that is when we most need to be resisted.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Evening Urgant: Artem Dzyaba/Zivert (2019)

    User reviews474

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    The Critical Reviews Here Are Laughable.
    It's apparent that unless there are s'plosions and CGI, the imbecilic critics (and most marvel fans) will hate it. This is a timeless film; well acted, a slice of history often forgotten. It should be seen by anyone with sense.
    helpful•110
    15
    • mjp78
    • Jul 3, 2019

    FAQ3

    • When will "The Professor and the Madman be released in the U.S.?

    Details

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    • Release date
      • May 10, 2019 (United States)
      • United States
      • Mexico
      • United Kingdom
      • France
      • Belgium
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Hong Kong
      • Official site (Japan)
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Dublin, Ireland
    • Production companies
      • Voltage Pictures
      • Fábrica de Cine
      • Definition Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 2 hours 4 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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