The Professor and the Madman poster
7.1/10 2019 2h 4m Released

The incredible true story that defined our world.

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.

Watch Now

Top Cast

Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson
James Murray
Sean Penn
Sean Penn
Dr. William Chester Minor
Natalie Dormer
Natalie Dormer
Eliza Merrett
Eddie Marsan
Eddie Marsan
Muncie
Jennifer Ehle
Jennifer Ehle
Ada Murray
Jeremy Irvine
Jeremy Irvine
Charles Hall
David O'Hara
David O'Hara
Church
Anthony Andrews
Anthony Andrews
Benjamin Jowett
Ioan Gruffudd
Ioan Gruffudd
Henry Bradley
Stephen Dillane
Stephen Dillane
Dr. Richard Brayne
Steve Coogan
Steve Coogan
Frederick James Furnivall
Laurence Fox
Laurence Fox
Philip Lyttelton Gell
Lars Brygmann
Lars Brygmann
Max Mueller
Brendan Patricks
Brendan Patricks
Winston Churchill
Adam Fergus
Adam Fergus
Alfred Minor
Brian Fortune
Brian Fortune
Head Board Member

Reviews

SWITCH. 4/10

In all likelihood, you will leave this film with a little more of an understanding of how the dictionary came to be, and a little more resentment for Gibson (one of the producers) for pushing this project to happen, regardless of its lacklustre subject. It's pleasant enough, but it's clear England must produce a certain number of period dramas a year and 2019 was just about to fall under the quota - thank god for…

mitohobe 8/10

I really like it. It had a story within a true Story. Which in my opinion made it a little complex and exciting. Good for young adults and up. Teenagers might not find it so compelling but that's just a short time in their life when they're looking for total entertainment and action. This is not that film but there is a great story to be told with a interesting backdrop of facts. Mel Gibson is excellent!! Be ready…

CinemaSerf 7/10

This is the best effort I've seen from Sean Penn since "Milk" almost twelve years ago. His portrayal of the schizophrenic William Chester Minor who, having spent almost 40 years of his life in Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, became one of the single most significant contributors to the orginal Oxford Dictionary of English is superb. He captures the flaws of this paranoid etymologist warts and all, and gels very well…

You May Like

FAQ about The Professor and the Madman

What is The Professor and the Madman about?
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.
When was The Professor and the Madman released?
The Professor and the Madman was released in 2019.
What genres does The Professor and the Madman belong to?
The Professor and the Madman is categorised as History, Drama, Mystery, Thriller.
Who stars in The Professor and the Madman?
The cast of The Professor and the Madman includes Mel Gibson, Sean Penn, Natalie Dormer, Eddie Marsan, Jennifer Ehle.