My Favorite Movies

The Man Who Knew Infinity


Six years ago, I watched The Darkest Hour in a Saratoga movie theater. Winston Churchill, who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945, is depicted by Gary Oldman in the film. (I was born in England.) Oldman's performance was extraordinary and it won him an Academy Award.

Below is my favorite movie for each of the past thirteen half-decades. Most of the movies have a clear connection to England and/or mathematics. (I teach mathematics for a living.) What percentage of U.S. adults are math professors/instructors who were born in England?


Half-Decade Movie Release Year English Connection Mathematics Connection
2015-2019 The Man Who Knew Infinity 2016 Cambridge Srinivasa Ramanujan
2010-2014 Boyhood 2014 None None
2005-2009 Slumdog Millionaire 2009 Danny Boyle None
2000-2004 A Beautiful Mind 2003 Paul Bettany John Nash
1995-1999 October Sky 1999 None Homer Hickam Jr.
1990-1994 The Lion King 1994 Elton John None
1985-1989 Stand and Deliver 1989 None Jaime Escalante
1980-1984 Chariots of Fire 1981 Harold Abrahams None
1975-1979 Network 1976 Peter Finch None
1970-1974 The Paper Chase 1973 None None
1965-1969 Sound of Music 1965 Julie Andrews None
1960-1964 My Fair Lady 1964 Eliza Doolittle None
1955-1959 Around the World in 80 Days 1956 Phileas Fogg None

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