Mathematics is often seen as a dry subject, filled with numbers and equations that seem to have little to do with the real world. However, the documentaries in this collection challenge that notion by diving deep into the world of mathematical proofs. These films not only showcase the elegance of mathematical reasoning but also highlight the human stories behind the numbers. From the quest for the proof of Fermat's Last Theorem to the intricacies of prime numbers, these documentaries offer a fascinating glimpse into the minds of mathematicians and the beauty of their work. Whether you're a math enthusiast or just curious about the subject, this selection promises to engage, educate, and inspire.

The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)
Description: While not strictly a documentary, this biographical drama based on the life of Srinivasa Ramanujan includes elements of documentary filmmaking, focusing on his mathematical contributions, particularly his work on the partition function.
Fact: The film features real mathematicians as extras in scenes set at Cambridge University. Dev Patel, who plays Ramanujan, had to learn complex mathematical concepts for his role.


The Code (2009)
Description: This documentary explores the world of code-breaking and the mathematical proofs that underpin modern cryptography, offering insights into the minds of those who protect our digital secrets.
Fact: The film features interviews with mathematicians and cryptographers, including those who worked on the Enigma machine during WWII.


The Story of Maths (2008)
Description: This BBC series explores the history of mathematics, with one episode dedicated to the development of mathematical proofs, showcasing how they have shaped our understanding of the universe.
Fact: The series was presented by Marcus du Sautoy, a renowned mathematician who has also contributed to popularizing math through various media.


The Proof (1997)
Description: This documentary follows Andrew Wiles' journey to prove Fermat's Last Theorem, one of the most famous unsolved problems in mathematics. It captures the emotional rollercoaster of his quest, making it accessible to those without a deep mathematical background.
Fact: The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Wiles' proof was published in 1995, after seven years of solitary work.


The Secret Life of Chaos (2000)
Description: This documentary delves into chaos theory, which, while not exclusively about proofs, includes the mathematical underpinnings and the proofs that support this fascinating field.
Fact: The film was directed by Jim Al-Khalili, a physicist known for his ability to explain complex scientific concepts to a general audience.


The Joy of Maths (2010)
Description: While not solely focused on proofs, this documentary series by Professor Marcus du Sautoy includes segments on mathematical proofs, explaining their significance and beauty.
Fact: Du Sautoy is also known for his work on symmetry in mathematics, which is explored in the series.


The Story of One (2005)
Description: This documentary explores the concept of the number one, delving into its mathematical significance and the proofs that define its unique properties.
Fact: The film was part of a series on numbers, each episode focusing on a different number or mathematical concept.


The Prime Number Theorem (2012)
Description: This documentary focuses on the Prime Number Theorem, one of the most important results in number theory, and the proofs that have been developed to understand the distribution of prime numbers.
Fact: The film includes interviews with leading mathematicians who have contributed to the understanding of prime numbers.


The Story of Pi (2005)
Description: This documentary explores the history and mathematical significance of pi, including the proofs that have helped mathematicians understand this transcendental number.
Fact: The film features a segment on the Chudnovsky brothers, who calculated pi to billions of digits.


The Mathematics of Love (2014)
Description: While primarily about applying mathematics to relationships, this documentary includes discussions on mathematical proofs related to probability and game theory, which are used to model human behavior.
Fact: The film was inspired by the book "The Mathematics of Love" by Hannah Fry, who also presents the documentary.
