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IMDbPro

The Professor and the Madman

  • 20192019
  • 1515
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
44K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,181
438
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
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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
44K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,181
438
  • Director
    • 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
Top credits
  • Director
    • 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
    • 461User reviews
    • 72Critic reviews
    • 27Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:22
    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 Murrayas James Murray
    Sean Penn
    Sean Penn
    • Dr. William Chester Minoras Dr. William Chester Minor
    Eddie Marsan
    Eddie Marsan
    • Mr. Muncieas Mr. Muncie
    Natalie Dormer
    Natalie Dormer
    • Eliza Merrettas Eliza Merrett
    Jennifer Ehle
    Jennifer Ehle
    • Ada Murrayas Ada Murray
    Steve Coogan
    Steve Coogan
    • Frederick James Furnivallas Frederick James Furnivall
    Stephen Dillane
    Stephen Dillane
    • Dr. Richard Braynas Dr. Richard Brayn
    Ioan Gruffudd
    Ioan Gruffudd
    • Henry Bradleyas Henry Bradley
    Jeremy Irvine
    Jeremy Irvine
    • Charles Hallas Charles Hall
    Laurence Fox
    Laurence Fox
    • Philip Lyttelton Gellas Philip Lyttelton Gell
    Anthony Andrews
    Anthony Andrews
    • Benjamin Jowettas Benjamin Jowett
    Lars Brygmann
    Lars Brygmann
    • Max Muelleras Max Mueller
    Bryan Murray
    • Henry Liddellas Henry Liddell
    David O'Hara
    David O'Hara
    • Churchas Church
    Sean Duggan
    Sean Duggan
    • Tom Colemanas Tom Coleman
    Olivia McKevitt
    Olivia McKevitt
    • Clare Merrettas Clare Merrett
    Emily Daly
    • Iris Merrettas Iris Merrett
    Luke Harman
    • Jack Merrettas Jack Merrett
    • Director
      • Farhad Safinia
    • Writers
      • Todd Komarnicki(screenplay by)
      • Farhad Safinia(screenplay by)
      • Simon Winchester(based on the book by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    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.
    winston churchill characterlexicographeroxford english dictionarycourtroom sketchopening action scene8 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The Incredible True Story That Defined Our World.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • History
    • Certificate
      • 15
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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
      Mel Gibson's character make 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 reviews461

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Critics didn't like it. No wonder I did!
    Interesting true story well played by competent actors. Written without insertion of political, sexual or cultural bias for a refreshing change.
    helpful•202
    10
    • skyscrewer
    • Dec 19, 2019

    FAQ3

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

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 15, 2020 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • Ireland
      • France
      • Iceland
      • United States
      • Mexico
      • Belgium
      • United Kingdom
      • Hong Kong
    • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Entre la razón y la locura
    • Production companies
      • Voltage Pictures
      • Fábrica de Cine
      • Definition Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $5,098,627
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 4 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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