Stephen Hawking on film
You’ve probably heard the news. The sad news. Stephen Hawking – the famed English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author and Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology within the University of Cambridge, died today at the age of 76.
He was one of the most admired and recognizable person in the entire world, not just in the scientific community despite the fact that he was battling with a debilitating illness for most of his life.
Hawking was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in his early 20’s and was confined to a wheelchair for most of his adult life. But even after the loss of his speech, he was still able to communicate through a speech-generating device, initially through use of a hand-held switch, and eventually by using a single cheek muscle.
His life and career were depicted in several motion picture movies and, while his body of work were put in outstanding documentaries. But what about the few times when Stephen Hawking and his scientific studies were featured on film?
This is Stephen Hawking on film.
The Theory of Everything (2014)
Director: James Marsh
Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior…
Fun fact about the movie: In an E-mail to director James Marsh about the portrayal by Eddie Redmayne, Stephen Hawking said there were certain points when he thought he was watching himself.
Hawking (2004)
Director: Philip Martin
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Brandon, Tom Hodgkins…
Fun fact about the movie: Benedict Cumberbatch is the first actor ever to play Stephen Hawking on screen in this film. He is also good friends with Eddie Redmayne, who played Hawking in the biopic The Theory of Everything (2014).
Hawking (2013)
Director: Stephen Finnigan
Stars: Stephen Hawking, Arthur Pelling, Finlay Macrae…
Fun fact about the movie: Only took 3 4/5 months to finish.
A Brief History of Time (1991)
Director: Errol Morris
Stars: Stephen Hawking, Isobel Hawking, Janet Humphrey…
Fun fact about the movie: Appearances to the contrary, all interviews were filmed on sets built for the movie.
