The Professor And The Madman

2019 • 124 minutes

About this movie

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.

Ratings and reviews

I don't get all the critic's negative reviews or why Mel Gibson disowned the film after it was released. I think it was due to a legal rift and creative differences. Very interesting and well told story based on a true story. Worth a viewing. If you like intelligent and thoughtful think pieces this film is for you. If you are a fan of the bombastic Marvel action and adventure films you will not like this type of film at all.

Read a book of this story some years ago and was fascinated. I enjoyed the film and this is the only time I have liked either of these actors. Mel Gibson, particularly. Sensitive and thoughtful story.

This is a very deep and beautiful story about friendship, forgiveness and redemption all wrapped up in the surprising history of how the Oxford English Dictionary was written. And what a truly amazing story it is. Gibson and Penn are as good here as they have ever been.