One of the things I love about living in Oxford is the surprise of going into town and coming across a movie being made. (It happens surprisingly often!) Such was the case today as I went into town to meet a friend for lunch and there in the square by the Sheldonian, the Bodleian Library, and the Clarendon Building were several actors in tail coats and top hat and Oxford was transformed back to 1914.
The movie is "The Man Who Knew Infinity" and is set at the beginning of the first World War.
It is based on the book "The man Who Knew Infinity: A life of the Genius Ramanujan" by Robert Kanigel. Here tourists and cast members mingle before the shooting of a scene.
It is the story of G.H. Hardy, the English mathematician who plucked Ramanujan from obscurity in Edwardian India and installed him in Cambridge University where he became a fellow of the Royal Society and the first Indian fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.
Jeremy Irons is playing G. H. Hardy, the English Mathematician and Dev Patel portrays the math genius Srinivasa Ramanujan.
It is mostly being filmed in Cambridge and India but with a few scenes shot in Oxford. I think the officer having his make-up touched up is Toby Jones.
I missed whatever scene they filmed outside the Clarendon Building but as I walked past again on my way home a large cast of gentlemen had just finished an inside scene and were coming out of the door to the courtroom that is at the back of the Divinity School.
They all lined up for an informal group photo after the shoot. I wish I knew who these distinguished looking gentleman are. If you recognize any of them, please let me know.
Mr. Irons did not join in the group photo but took a quiet coffee break in the corner with Toby Jones.
I don't know what role Oxford plays in the this story. Whatever the reason they are filming here, I'm glad they are. It just adds to the magic of Oxford to walk in to town and run into Jeremy Irons and about 5o other gentlemen dressed from 100 years ago.
If you are wondering where they will be filming next, look for the TMWKI signs.
For more information:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/News/Slumdog-Millionaire-star-Dev-Patel-is-coming-to-Cambridge-to-film-Hollywood-movie-The-Man-Who-Knew-Infinity-with-Jeremy-Irons-20140722060156.htm
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/News/SLIDESHOW-Hollywood-star-Dev-Patel-rescued-from-River-Cam-in-Cambridge-by-his-The-Man-Who-Knew-Infinity-co-star-Jeremy-Irons-20140819140751.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srinivasa_Ramanujan
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