I saw this film on Netflix and as a person who loves history it held my interest. THe actors are Sean Penn and Mel Gibson so its up to you who is who in the title.
I read the book, which was also very good! Amazing (and surprising) story of how the OED was created.
I love Mel Gibson as an actor (I have no comments on his personal life), the Mad Max and Lethal Weapon franchises are two of my all-time favorites.... Will be interested to see this on Netflix, and compare to the book.
As an aside, equally surprising is the fact that Mel is NOT a native Aussie. He was born more or less in Phil's neck of the woods (Peekskill, NY) and his family emigrated to Australia when he was a kid.
The book, originally called the "Surgeon Of Crowthorne" by Simon Winchester about the making of the Oxford English Dictionary is one of my all time favourite reads, so I was really excited when I heard that it was going to be made into a film.
That was until I heard that Mel Gibson was behind the film. I fail to understand why anyone would watch anything that this misogynistic, homophobic, and racist bigot has anything to do with.
This is not just someone who skirts the boundaries of political correctness, rather, this is a truly terrible person.
Besides which, hearing from people who have read both the book and seen the film, they say that the film really doesn't do the book justice, so please read the book, it is excellent and make sure to avoid the movie, in fact, make sure to avoid any movie which Gibson has anything to do with.
Clive
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Braveheart and The Patriot are two of my all time favorites. If we boycott movies from people in Hollywood that flunk some morality litmus test we would end up with a pretty short list.
No doubt virtue is in very short supply as far as Hollywood goes, but even by Hollywood standards Gibson is beyond contempt.
Gibson on women:
A number of recorded rants to his ex, e.g “You look like a f***ing bitch in heat. And if you get raped by a pack of n***ers it will be your fault" his ex was subsequently granted a restraining order against him for domestic violence.
Gibson on the Holocaust:
"I mean when the war was over they said it was 12 million. Then it was six. Now it’s four. I mean it’s that kind of numbers game.”
Gibson on Jews:
"F***ing Jews. The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world".
He also called Jewish Actress Winona Ryder an “oven dodger”.
And his film, "The Passion of the Christ" has been widely condemned by critics as anti-Semitic.
Gibson on homosexuality:
Unrepeatable, even with with *s, look this one up yourself.
This is not just a failed a moral litmus test, this is a hardcore bigot. For me I would boycott anything he touches and encourage others to do the same.
Clive
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"Great book, but for my own personal reasons, I decided I wasn't interested in seeing the film."
Your mileage may vary. (YMMV)
I wholeheartedly agree with clivel that the book is excellent and worthy of a read. It was released under the title "The Professor and the Madman" for the US market. Just to be transparent, I am also "one of those people" who almost always "prefer the book", so again.... YMMV
By all means critizise and boycott certain Holywood "Stars" but please remember that they are only one member of any film cast and crew.
To make a movie there are hundreds and in some cases thousands of crew involved in producing the movie. They should not be "punished" or lumped in with the personal opinions/behavior of the "star".
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Harvey I think, therefore I am - I think! 24 Dec 2020 12:31:31pm
re: The Professor and the Madman
As much as I dislike Mel Gibson as a person, I still like to watch the Mad Max movies occasionally - especially the first one in the series. I have a few movies I consider to be the movie equivalent of comfort food - any of the Harry Potter movies, the first and third Indiana Jones movies, the first two Mummy movies, Lord of the Rings, the fourth Star Trek movie with the whales, etc. Obviously I am a fan of adventure movies!
Well, my wife and I watched the Netflix adaptation this evening... I still prefer the book, but all in all, it was worth the 2-hours we spent watching. Sean Penn played the schizophrenic Minor convincingly, Gibson's Murray came across as both an underdog and a compassionate champion for his friend Minor, and Eddie Marsan's depiction of asylum guard Mr. Muncy was a standout. I enjoyed Natalie Dormer.... in "Game of Thrones".
As with many adaptations, this film took a few liberties, and some of the focus on the lexicography was lost, presumably to appeal to a wider audience. It still gives someone who hasn't read the book the high points of the story. We can hope that anyone who discovers the movie first will be moved to read the book, which will fill in the gaps and provide more in-depth story of the actual creation of the OED. Winchester also wrote "The Meaning of Everything", another account of the OED's creation, with less focus on Minor.
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