Adventures of a Mathematician
| Adventures of a Mathematician | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Thor Klein |
| Written by | Thor Klein |
| Produced by | Nell Green Evangelo Kioussis Joanna Szymańska Lena Vurma Paul Zischler |
| Starring | Philippe Tłokiński Esther Garrel Sam Keeley Joel Basman |
| Cinematography | Tudor Vladimir Panduru |
| Edited by | Agnieszka Liggett Matthieu Taponier |
| Music by | Antoni Łazarkiewicz |
Production companies | Dragonfly Films Madants Film and Music Entertainment Paul Thiltges Distributions |
Release date |
|
Running time | 103 minutes |
| Countries | Germany Poland United Kingdom |
| Languages | English Polish |
Adventures of a Mathematician is a 2020 biographical drama film directed and written by Thor Klein.[1] It is based on the autobiography of Polish-American mathematician Stanisław Ulam, who contributed to the development of the hydrogen bomb and early computer technology.[2] [3]
Plot
Set in the 1930s and 1940s, the film follows Stan Ulam, a Polish immigrant who moves to the United States. While coping with personal losses and the challenges of assimilation, Ulam becomes involved in the Manhattan Project and later in the development of the hydrogen bomb.[1] The narrative highlights both his scientific achievements and the moral dilemmas faced during the dawn of the nuclear age.[2]
Cast
- Philippe Tłokiński as Stanisław Ulam
- Esther Garrel as Françoise
- Sam Keeley as John Williams Calkin
- Joel Basman as Edward Teller
- Fabian Kocięcki as John von Neumann
- Sabin Tambrea as Klaus Fuchs
- Ryan Gage as Robert Oppenheimer
Production
The film was an international co-production between Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom.[2] Director Thor Klein adapted Ulam’s memoirs into a screenplay, focusing on both the scientific breakthroughs and the ethical questions surrounding nuclear weapons.[3] Principal photography took place in Germany and Poland.[1]
Reception
Critical reception was mixed. Reviewers praised the performances and historical subject matter but noted that the film’s conventional biopic style left some aspects underdeveloped.[3] The Hollywood Reporter described the film as “only partly delivers on its promise” when it premiered at Palm Springs.[4]
References
- ^ a b c "Abenteuer eines Mathematikers – Filmdienst". Filmdienst (in German). Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "Adventures of a Mathematician". Cineuropa. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "'Adventures of a Mathematician' Review". Variety. 20 June 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ^ Farber, Stephen (17 January 2020). "'Adventures of a Mathematician': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 December 2025.