The Theory of Everything stars Eddie Redmayne (Birdsong, Les Miserables) as the young Hawking during his time at Cambridge University, where he met and fell and love with his first wife, Jane (played by Felicity Jones).
Already considered a brilliant intellectual mind, Hawking’s work on the theory of black holes – and his relationship with Jane – is turned upside down on being diagnosed with motor neuron disease and given just two years to live.
The film is based on Jane Hawking’s memoir, Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen and is directed by Academy Award winner James Marsh (Man on Wire). Filming took place in Cambridge in September 2013 at St John’s College and in other locations including The Backs, with Professor Hawking visiting the set on the last night of filming.
Today (5 November), Hawking used his Facebook page to express his delight in being the subject of a movie:
‘It’s quite something to be the subject of a major film. It makes you realize how short life is when they cut out the boring bits. But in all seriousness, I am honored and humbled by the film that was made. Always support those who struggle and always strive to prevail even when you think you cannot. The Theory of Everything is in cinemas this weekend in the US and 1st January in the UK, it is my pleasure to share it with you. –SH’
A brief history of Stephen Hawking
:: Stephen Hawking was born 8 January 1942 – 300 years after the death of Galileo.
:: He went up to Oxford aged 17 but found the work ‘ridiculously easy’, becoming something of a rebel as a result.
:: In 1962 he took up a place at Trinity Hall in Cambridge to research cosmology.
:: After displaying signs of clumsiness and slurred speech Hawking was diagnosed with motor neuron disease aged 21 and given a life expectancy of just two years.
:: In 1965 Hawking married Jane Wilde, a friend of his sister and fellow student at Cambridge.
:: In 1988 Hawking published his best-selling book, A Brief History of Time.
:: Hawking currently has 12 honorary degrees and was awarded a CBE in 1982.
:: He has three children and three grandchildren and continues to research and lecture. According to his website, he hopes to one day travel into space.
Pick up January’s Cambridge Edition for an exclusive behind the scenes feature on The Theory of Everything.
