The incredible true story that defined our world.|Mar. 07, 2019|United States | Mexico | United Kingdom | France | Belgium | Iceland | Ireland | Hong Kong|124 Min.|n/A
Genre: Drama;History;Mystery;Thriller
Description: In 1872 London, William Chester Minor, a retired U.S. Army surgeon, is deemed not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of a stranger, George Merrett, and is sent to Broadmoor Asylum. Meanwhile, in Oxford, James Murray applies for the role of editor in the creation of what would later become the Oxford English Dictionary. Despite lacking formal education—having left school at 14—Murray impresses the interview panel with his extensive knowledge of multiple languages, both ancient and modern.
During discussions with the committee, conflicting opinions emerge. Max Müller advocates for preserving English in its “purest form,” while Freddie Furnivall argues that every word, regardless of its origin or usage, should be included. Murray proposes a solution: recruiting volunteers from across the English-speaking world to contribute words and examples. His appeal gains traction, and contributions begin to pour in.
As Murray works on the dictionary, Minor, the institutionalized murderer, struggles with haunting memories of the American Civil War. In a rare moment of clarity, he saves a guard’s life through a medical procedure. He also requests that most of his army pension be given to Eliza Merrett, the widow of the man he killed, though she initially refuses. Minor is granted access to a library and space to paint, offering him some solace.
Cast director: Farhad Safinia
Cast actor: Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, Eddie Marsan, Natalie Dormer, Ioan Gruffudd, Steve Coogan, Jeremy Irvine, Brendan Patricks, Adam Fergus, Jennifer Ehle
Original name: The Professor and the Madman