Copy of a c1880 portrait of Charles Darwin, Down House, Downe, Bromley, Greater London (2005-08-04) by Jonathan BaileyHistoric England
We have a fascination with brilliant minds. What makes them different to our own? How are they able to see the world in new ways and change our place in it? It’s little wonder there have been countless movies about great scientists.
But how much do you know about the intersection of science and cinema? See if you can name the following five films from the clues.
LIFE Photo Collection
Question 1
Naturalist Charles Darwin faces an internal struggle whether to publish On the Origin of Species, a ground-breaking work on evolution that was considered blasphemous at the time. The film focuses on Darwin’s conflict between his scientific vocation and his love for his religious wife, Emma.
Creation (2009)
Fun fact: the film stars real-life couple, Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly, as Charles and Emma Darwin.
Tap to explore
Click and drag here to explore the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin made many of his notes and observations when the research ship, HMS Beagle, stopped there in 1835.
Mountain Gorilla by AMNHAmerican Museum of Natural History
Question 2
Zoologist Dian Fossey dedicated her life to the study of gorillas in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda. Her work brought her into conflict with poachers and corrupt government officials, and her murder was shrouded in mystery. This 1988 biopic stars Sigourney Weaver as Fossey.
Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
The film was nominated for 5 Acadamy Awards, and Sigourney Weaver won Best Actress at the Golden Globes.
Listen to Dian Fossey narrate her experiences with gorillas here.
Stephen Hawking NASA 50th (2008-06-12) by NASA/Paul E. AlersNASA
Question 3
Though living with motor neurone disease, Stephen Hawking worked tirelessly to advance theoretical physics and popular science. He was one of the most brilliant minds of his generation. Can you name the 2014 film that earned Eddie Redmayne an Academy Award for his portrayal of Hawking?
The Theory of Everything (2014)
The film also garnered four other Oscar nominations, and a host of other accolades.
Watch the trailer here
Eastcote Greek Bombe Bay (1939/1945)Bletchley Park
Question 4
Alan Turing was a mathematician, cryptanalyst and computing pioneer whose work breaking codes helped the Allies defeat Nazi Germany in WWII. He also invented the Turing Machine, an early forerunner of modern computers. Can you name the 2014 film that tells the story of Turing's ultimately tragic life?
The Imitation Game (2014)
The film stars Benedict Cumberbatch and tells the story of Turing’s incredible achievements, followed by his sad demise at the hands of the British authorities, who persecuted him for his homosexuality.
ENIGMA - ELECTROMECHANICAL ENCRYPTION MACHINENational Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo Da Vinci
From the National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan, here's the Enigma code machine itself, which was first decoded by Turing.
Nikola Tesla in His 60’s, in His New York LaboratoryNikola Tesla Museum
Question 5
Nicola Tesla and Thomas Edison were both geniuses who happened to work in the same field at the same time. Which 2020 film, starring Ethan Hawke as Tesla, tells the story of the difficult relationship the two men shared?
Tesla (2020)
The film also stars beloved Twin Peaks and Sex and the City actor, Kyle MacLachlan, as Thomas Edison.
Tesla Coil (2008) by Gwacheon National Science MuseumGwacheon National Science Museum
Though they're not used in radio transmission anymore, Tesla coils are still used in science museums and classrooms across the world today to give a fascinating display of how electrical current operates.
By Albert FennLIFE Photo Collection
Want to know more about the lives of some of science's great innovators? You can find out more about Charles Darwin here.
