A Brief History of Time

G

Released Oct 17, 1991

1h 24m

Documentary

List

95%

19 Reviews

Tomatometer

81%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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.

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andres s

It's quite amazing seeing how brilliant Stephen Hawking was. Especially seeing the diagrams he was able to illustrate of black holes; how his mind was able to conceive that is incredible. What happened to Stephen really makes you wonder about life, God, and the universe. Such a brilliant mind, yet was bound to a wheelchair and not able to speak or move for the rest of his life. What was the reason or purpose of this brutal punishment? But I guess like his mother said, maybe being bound to the wheelchair made it possible for Stephen to focus on his theories and not get distracted with other activities, since he liked doing other things. It was because of this unfortunate disease that made it possible for him to conceive the theories of black holes and discover what really happens inside one. Very interesting stuff about an even more interesting man genius. Seeing how passionate and determined he was to discover new theories about space and the universe is quite inspiring. Unfortunately, it is a documentary and it's not entertaining enough to deem it buyable for $20 on Criterion.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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).

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Excellent and accessible look at our universe. A must-see film.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Audience Member

The juxtaposition of Hawking's physical deterioration & his growing intellect is what makes him such a captivating figure. This is curiously beautiful documentary uses tiny cinematography choices, subtle movements, & unique angles to capture how Hawking saw time & space: with curiosity & beauty. Yes, it's a bit dry, but not nearly as dry as it could've been thanks to some stellar direction & editing. The way he describes the experience of death by black hole makes me wish that is the way he could've gone. RIP.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

With irony and humor, Errol Morris crafts a wonderful textbook of Stephen Hawking's mind, drawing parallels between him and the universe, and making us think. The only reason this film is edged out of 4 out of 5 is that the people he interviews are simply not as eccentric or characteristic as many of Morris's other subjects.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

My favorite filmmaker, Errol Morris, has directed some of the greatest documentaries of all time, and "A Brief History of Time" is no exception. Both a bio pic of Stephen Hawking, and a look at Hawking's mind blowing theories. A must-see for both science fans, and documentary fans.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Errol Morris

Director

Isobel Hawking

Self

Stephen Hawking

Self

Janet Humphrey

Self

Mary Hawking

Self

Basil King

Self

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David Ansen

Newsweek

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.

Feb 8, 2018

Full Review

Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

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

Apr 11, 2016

Full Review

Scott Tobias

The Dissolve

[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.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 17, 2014

Full Review

Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

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.

Rated: 3/5

Nov 4, 2020

Full Review

Malcolm Johnson

Hartford Courant

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.

Jun 6, 2018

Full Review

Christopher Long

Movie Metropolis

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

Rated: 8/10

Mar 19, 2014

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Errol Morris
Producer: Colin Ewing
Screenwriter: Stephen Hawking
Distributor: Triton Pictures
Production Co: National Broadcasting Company
Rating: G
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 17, 1991, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 25, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $81.0K
Runtime: 1h 24m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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