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A Brief History of Time Photos

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Movie Info

In part an adaptation of cosmologist Stephen Hawking's popular book about his theories of the universe, this documentary also shows Hawking's daily life as he deals with the ALS that renders him virtually immobile and unable to speak without the use of computer. Hawking's friends, family, former classmates and peers are interviewed about not only his theories but the man himself. Director Errol Morris uses creative graphics to visually illustrate Hawking's complex ideas.

Rating:

G
Genre:

documentary
Original Language:

English
Director:

Errol Morris
Producer:

David Hickman
Writer:

Stephen Hawking
Release Date (Streaming):

Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA):

$81.0K
Runtime:

1h 24m
Production Co:

National Broadcasting Company
Sound Mix:

Dolby, Surround

Cast & Crew

Isobel Hawking
Self

Stephen Hawking
Self

Janet Humphrey
Self

Mary Hawking
Self

Basil King
Self

Derek Powney
Self

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for A Brief History of Time

Stephen Hawking to Star in, Narrate Science Pic — in IMAX 3D!

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Critic Reviews for A Brief History of Time

All Critics (19) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (18) | Rotten (1)

A Brief History of Time is an elegant, inspirational and mysterious movie. Morris turns abstract ideas into haunting images, and keeps them spinning in the air with the finesse, and playfulness, of a master juggler.

February 8, 2018 | Full Review…

David Ansen
Newsweek
Few of us can judge Hawking's intellect, but any of us can sense that fire, that insistence of self on self.

April 11, 2016 | Full Review…

Stanley Kauffmann
The New Republic
[The film has] a sophisticated agenda that's more about association than data or personal trivia, and Morris' philosophy takes it to places a conventional documentary could never go.

March 17, 2014 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Scott Tobias
The Dissolve
Quote not available.

September 7, 2011 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly
Quote not available.

June 19, 2003 | Rating: 4/5

Nell Minow
Movie Mom
I'm pleased I saw the film, such as it is, but it doesn't do justice to Hawking's genius or to Morris' own genius, and I was left with the question of whether even Morris had ever finished the book.

January 1, 2000 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…

Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
It is indeed a narratively dryer, visually weaker film than it's predecessor, nor as straight up strange as the two that preceded that, but on its own there is plenty to love.

November 4, 2020 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Jordan M. Smith
IONCINEMA.com
A Brief History delivers a clear, often fascinating precis on the investigations and beliefs of one of the world's leading scientific theorists. Yet Morris is too shrewd a documentarian to miss the drama of Hawking's life.

June 6, 2018 | Full Review…

Malcolm Johnson
Hartford Courant
Morris. Hawking. Two of my favorite artists together. It couldn't miss, and it didn't.

March 19, 2014 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…

Christopher Long
Movie Metropolis
A really fun ride.

April 19, 2009 | Rating: 4/5

Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com
It's accessible, informative and entertaining.

January 25, 2009 | Rating: A- | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews
Quote not available.

July 6, 2005 | Rating: 4/5

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

View All Critic Reviews (19)

Audience Reviews for A Brief History of Time

Feb 17, 2019

As conventional as a routine documentary made for television, it feels not only superficial in the way it covers Hawking's life and theories (sometimes even lacking in clarity) but also irritating as it doesn't let us know who the interviewees are (there are no captions whatsoever).

Carlos M Super Reviewer
Jul 08, 2008

Plays with your head - in a good way.

Anthony V Super Reviewer
Oct 06, 2007

It has the potential to be a snoozefest but it is well shot and therefore both the film and subject keep your interest. Everyone should have the experience of seeing what spending time with Mr. Hawking is really like.

John B Super Reviewer