A NEW film tells the tale of two remarkable men who created history with the writing of the Oxford English Dictionary.
The Professor and the Madman - starring Mel Gibson and Sean Penn - traces the compilation of the dictionary from 1857.
Mel Gibson stars as Professor James Murray, the lexicographer who edited the original OED. Sean Penn plays the role of William Minor, who contributed to the dictionary from the confines of a lunatic asylum.
The dramatic biopic is based on the best-selling novel by Simon Winchester and tells the extraordinary true tale of madness, genius and obsession.
Professor Murray (Gibson) took on the daunting challenge of creating the most comprehensive dictionary ever developed, but knew that it would take him and his team over a century to compile all known definitions.
However, by 'crowdsourcing' the work and enlisting definitions from people all over the world, the dictionary could be accomplished in mere decades.
As definitions were collected, the overseeing committee, led by Professor Murray, discovered that an American Civil War veteran, Dr. W.C. Minor (Penn), had submitted more than ten thousand words. But when the committee insisted on honouring him, a shocking truth came to light that no one could have ever predicted.
We have a double pass to the movie to give away, valid at select cinemas. To enter simply fill in the online form below.
We have a double pass to see The Professor and the Madman at selected cinemas nationally. For your chance to win, simply tell us in 25 words or less, what is your definition of a good movie. Competition closes 11.59pm Monday January 27, 2020.
https://www.thesenior.com.au/story/6571912/words-came-from-across-the-world/?cs=6791
Australian Competitions Club
