Watch The Genius of George Boole

The Genius of George Boole is a captivating biographical documentary film from 2015 that delves into the life and work of George Boole, who is widely regarded as the father of modern computing. Directed by award-winning filmmaker and mathematics enthusiast Marcus de Sautoy, the film features a star-studded cast, including renowned physicists Albert Einstein, computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, and Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons, who narrates the film.

The documentary takes viewers on a journey through the life of George Boole, a self-taught mathematician and logician who lived in the 19th century. Boole was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1815, and was the son of a tradesman. Despite having no formal education in mathematics, Boole's innate talent for the subject and his insatiable curiosity led him to become one of the most influential thinkers of his time.

The film explores Boole's groundbreaking ideas in logic, which laid the foundation for modern computing. Boole's most important contribution was the development of a symbolic algebra known as Boolean algebra, which allowed the manipulation of logical statements using only two values, true and false. This laid the groundwork for the development of digital logic circuits and the binary system used in modern computers.

Through interviews with experts and demonstrations of Boole's principles, the film illustrates the profound impact that his ideas have had on modern technology. It not only focuses on his impact on computing, but also explores his other contributions to mathematics and science.

One of the highlights of the film is the appearance of Einstein, who reflects on Boole's work during his time at Princeton University. Einstein praises Boole's contribution to the understanding of the universe, stating that "his ideas have helped us make sense of the world around us." The film also features interviews with other prominent scientists and mathematicians, including Hinton, who discusses the relevance of Boole's work to the development of artificial intelligence.

In addition to the expert commentary, The Genius of George Boole also features reenactments of key moments in Boole's life, as well as archival footage and photographs of Boole and his family. These elements help to paint a vivid picture of the man behind the groundbreaking ideas.

Throughout the film, Irons' narration provides a clear and engaging overview of Boole's ideas, making complex concepts accessible to viewers who may not have a background in mathematics or computer science. The film also does an excellent job of contextualizing Boole's ideas within the broader historical and intellectual trends of his time.

Overall, The Genius of George Boole is a captivating and thorough exploration of a man whose work continues to influence our world in profound ways. Its combination of expert commentary, reenactments, and archival footage provides a rich and immersive experience for viewers, making it an essential watch for anyone interested in the history of computing, mathematics, or science more broadly.

The Genius of George Boole is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.