Director: P.B. Shemran (Farhad Safinia)
Starring: Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, Natalie Dormer
Runtime: 124 minutes
Genre: Biographical Drama
Release Date: May 10, 2019
Based on: Simon Winchester’s The Surgeon of
Crowthorne
The Professor and the Madman dramatizes the true story behind the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary. Professor James Murray (Mel Gibson) is appointed editor in 1879 and enlists the help of Dr. William Chester Minor (Sean Penn), a U.S. Civil War veteran and asylum patient who submits over 10,000 word definitions from Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum. Their unlikely collaboration becomes a poignant tale of genius, madness, and redemptio
-
Mel Gibson delivers a nuanced portrayal of Murray, capturing the character's intellect and determination.
-
Sean Penn offers a compelling performance as Minor, depicting the complexity of his mental struggles and guilt.
-
Natalie Dormer provides strong support as the widow who becomes an integral part of Minor's life.
Critics have praised the cast for their performances, though some noted the film's pacing issues.
Directed by Farhad Safinia under the pseudonym P.B. Shemran, the film's production faced challenges, including disputes over final cut rights. Despite these issues, the film presents a visually appealing period setting, with cinematography that effectively captures the era's atmosphere
