A Brilliant Madness – John Nash
A Brilliant Madness is the story of a mathematical genius whose career was cut short by a descent into madness. At the age of 30, John Nash, a stunningly original and famously eccentric MIT mathematician, suddenly began claiming that aliens were communicating with him and that he was a special messenger.
Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, Nash spent the next three decades in and out of mental hospitals, all but forgotten. During that time, a proof he had written at the age of 20 became a foundation of modern economic theory. In 1994, as Nash began to show signs of emerging from his delusions, he was awarded a Nobel Prize in Economics. The program features interviews with John Nash, his wife Alicia, his friends and colleagues, and experts in game theory and mental illness.
Go beyond the Oscar-winning drama “A Beautiful Mind” and learn more about the life of troubled mathematician and Nobel Prize-winner John Nash and his struggle with mental illness in this PBS “American Experience” documentary. Exclusive interviews with Nash and wife Alicia are included.
Watch the full documentary now
August 4th, 2009 at 17:56
very profound documentary. and i do agree with dr. nash when he says that madness can also be a gateway to freedom from comformaty..
August 13th, 2009 at 11:56
Great documentary!
Its a shame that this great mind descended into madness, his contributions could have been more plenty.
Regards,
Der Oberst
September 23rd, 2009 at 13:43
Great Documentary, thanks again Vlatko.
September 23rd, 2009 at 16:09
If you are facinated by John Nash I recommend the documentary The Trap, available on this very site.
September 23rd, 2009 at 17:02
Thank you Jenny.
October 17th, 2009 at 06:47
i’ll look into The Trap, CMcF. i love John Nash. despite the early arrogance–or maybe in part because he overcame it–there’s just something so deeply good about him. it’s difficult to watch him accepting the Nobel Prize without welling up. just so much hope about him.
November 14th, 2009 at 11:09
Obama got the nobel prize at the age of 48. he is better than nash!
January 4th, 2010 at 01:59
This is the first film I ever saw that a person with Mental Illness of his type was ever cured. Along with his nobel prize his second greatest achievement was overcoming his mental illness. All of the years of medication and hospitalization never helped. Would love to know what was the turning point that made John decide to be well again??