Einstein's Big Idea
Released: October 11, 2005Runtime: 120 min
Over 100 years ago, Albert Einstein grappled with the implications of his revolutionary special theory of relativity and came to a startling conclusion: mass and energy are one, related by the formula E = mc2. In "Einstein's Big Idea," NOVA dramatizes the remarkable story behind this equation. E = mc2 was just one of several extraordinary breakthroughs that Einstein made in 1905, including the completion of his special theory of relativity, his identification of proof that atoms exist, and his explanation of the nature of light, which would win him the Nobel Prize in Physics. Among Einstein's ideas, E = mc2 is by far the most famous. Yet how many people know what it really means? In a thought-provoking and engrossing docudrama, NOVA illuminates this deceptively simple formula by unraveling the story of how it came to be.
Credits
Related titles
No curated related titles yet. Use the edit affordance to add "More from this director", "Same franchise", or "Adaptation source material" entries — every change goes through the wiki review queue.
Sign in to claim that you worked on Einstein's Big Idea. Claims go to a moderation queue and appear in the Self-Claimed Contributors rail once approved.
Technical specs
No technical specs (aspect ratio, sound mix, cameras…) documented yet. Know it? Add it →
Awards
No awards or nominations listed yet. Know it? Add it →
Connections
No connections (sequels, references, remakes…) mapped yet. Know it? Add it →
Soundtrack
No soundtrack documented yet. Know it? Add it →
Filming locations
No filming locations documented yet. Know it? Add it →
Community tags
Be the first to tag this page — tags appear right away. Try a theme, mood, or subject (e.g. WWII, heist, slow burn, time travel, A24).
Cast & Crew
Top billed cast
Aidan Mcardle
as Albert Einstein
Shirley Henderson
as Mileva Maric
Steven Robertson
as Michael Faraday
Gregory Fox Murphy
as Brande
Alex Macqueen
as Chater
Samuel West
as Humphry Davy
Robert Styles
as Newman
Brendan Fleming
as Hermann Einstein
Michael Sarne
as Professeur Fritz Muhlberg
Ty Glaser
as Marie Anne Lavoisier
Directors
1Writers
2Producers
1Other crew
6Ratings & reviews
We’re attempting to crowdsource this data.
Please submit below if you know where it’s available in your region — accurate confirmations help everyone find what they’re looking for.
Where to watch
Not currently streaming on any platform we track.
Parents Guide
Gallery
Add imageNo community images for Einstein's Big Idea yet
Add a still, a storyboard, or concept art — every image gets its own page where members can discuss it.
Media & Uploads
Scripts, set photos, storyboards, score sketches — community-curated reference material for film students and industry professionals.
Did you or a loved one work on Einstein's Big Idea?
Every stage matters — pitch decks and treatments from development, location scouts and table-reads from pre-production, set photos and crew anecdotes from production, edit-bay notes from post, and press kits, festival memories, or marketing ephemera from distribution. Any moment that didn't make the press tour, any document or photograph that's been sitting in a box — please share it so it's not lost to time.
We particularly welcome contributions from writers, producers, cast, crew, festival programmers, distributors, marketing teams, their families, and anyone who was there at any stage.
Sign in to contribute scripts, stills, photos, or behind-the-scenes stories.
Be the first to share something on Einstein's Big Idea.
Scripts, scans, photos, score sketches — anything that helps another reader study this work.
Trailers
Browse all →No trailers logged for Einstein's Big Idea yet — add the first one below.
Spot a trailer we’re missing?
Add a trailer from any film, show, or game.
Memorable quotes
Browse all →No quotes logged for Einstein's Big Idea yet — add the first memorable line below.
Got a quote we’re missing?
Submit a line from any film, show, or game.
Trivia & Mistakes
No trivia or mistakes yet for Einstein's Big Idea.
The bot is still curating — or no one’s added one yet. Did you spot a continuity slip, a fun production fact, or a hidden cameo? Use + Add trivia above to contribute.
Physical & Digital Releases
No release dates on file yet.
Use Edit above to add the theatrical, digital, Blu-ray, DVD, or 4K release dates. Special editions (Criterion, Steelbook, Limited Edition) go in the dedicated array below the date fields. Every contribution is reviewed before going live.
The conversation
Loading the conversation…
Comments (0)
on Einstein's Big IdeaNo comments yet. Be the first to share what you think.
No discussion yet
Start the discussion on Einstein's Big Idea.
You’ll be the first. We’ll spin up a forum tied to this page, your first post will live there, and other readers can join in.
Edit history
Loading edit history…