American Experience · SEASON 14
A Brilliant Madness
Episode 12 · 2002-04-28
- Documentary
Episode overview
Mathematics genius John Nash recalls his bout with schizophrenia (the subject dramatized in the Oscar-winning film "A Beautiful Mind"). Nash is joined by his wife, Alicia; son John Stier; colleagues; and author Sylvia Nasar, who wrote the book from which the movie was adapted. They (and narrator Liev Schreiber) recall Nash's prodigious intellect, arrogant demeanor and odd behavior. He developed his "equilibrium point" theory as a student, but then lost his own equilibrium. It would take 30 years, but the theory would come to revolutionize economics and win him the Nobel Prize. And Nash would regain his mind.
55 minutes
Season 14 episodes
1. New York (6): The City of Tomorrow2001-09-10
2. New York (7): The City and the World2001-09-17
3. War Letters2001-11-01
4. Woodrow Wilson (1): A Passionate Man2002-01-06
5. Woodrow Wilson (2): The Redemption of the World2002-01-13
6. Mount Rushmore2002-01-20
7. Miss America2002-01-27
8. Zoot Suit Riots2002-03-01
9. Monkey Trial2002-02-23
10. Public Enemy #12002-02-17
11. Ansel Adams2002-04-21
12. A Brilliant Madness2002-04-28
13. Ulysses S. Grant (1): The Warrior2002-04-01
14. Ulysses S. Grant (2): The President2002-04-02
