Peter Goodchild’s innovative seven-part drama hails from a bygone era of television. Goodchild, a former BBC producer who began his career in radio drama before transitioning to television, found success with the science documentary series Horizon. In the 1970s, Goodchild combined his interests in science and drama to create a compelling series about Marie Curie when Horizon ventured into docudramas.
Oppenheimer, a seven-part miniseries about J Robert Oppenheimer, the renowned father of the atomic bomb, was Goodchild’s brainchild. Starring Waterston, the series premiered on BBC2 in 1980 and received critical acclaim, winning three Bafta awards. It also garnered Emmy and Golden Globe nominations after airing on PBS in the United States.
The budget for Oppenheimer, £1.5 million, a significant sum for a British drama at the time, was primarily funded by the BBC, with a portion contributed by WGBH Boston. The production spared no expense, meticulously recreating the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos Laboratory on a custom-built set in Colorado Springs, complete with a water tower and a replica bomb. The attention to detail added to the authenticity of the series.
The supporting cast mainly consisted of American actors based in Britain, with two notable exceptions. David Suchet, who would later gain fame as Poirot, played the excitable Hungarian physicist Edward Teller, while Edward Hardwicke, known for his portrayal of Dr. Watson alongside Jeremy Brett’s Sherlock Holmes, portrayed Italian colleague Enrico Fermi.
The contrast between the interior scenes shot on videotape in a UK studio and the ones shot on film in America may initially jar viewers accustomed to the modern digital aesthetic of most dramas. However, the engrossing story captivates audiences to the point where the contrast becomes less noticeable over time.
What sets Oppenheimer apart is its timeless quality, even after 43 years. Unlike other dramas from the same period that may feel slow or stagnant, Oppenheimer maintains a brisk pace. The opening two episodes flew by, effortlessly capturing Oppenheimer’s charisma, intelligence, brilliance, and charm, particularly in his interactions with women.
The series covers Oppenheimer’s journey from his time at the University of Berkeley in 1938 to his appointment as the leader of the top-secret Manhattan Project in 1942. Despite warnings about his Communist affiliations and left-wing beliefs, Lieutenant General Leslie Groves entrusts him with overseeing the high-security facility in Los Alamos.
Waterston delivers a phenomenal performance as Oppenheimer, which justified the BBC’s decision to pay him well above the standard rate and accommodate him in a luxury hotel during filming. He masterfully embodies Oppenheimer’s multifaceted persona, portraying his charm and brilliance while also revealing his ruthlessness and arrogance.
The series explores Oppenheimer’s complicated love life as well, showcasing his involvement with psychiatrist and communist Jean Tatlock, who tragically took her own life in 1944. Oppenheimer callously discards Tatlock when he meets Kitty Puening, his future wife who is already married to someone else. Their affair begins, and in a particularly heartless moment, Oppenheimer humiliates Tatlock by attending a dinner party with Kitty on his arm.
Even at this early stage, the seeds of Oppenheimer’s downfall are planted. Unaware of the FBI’s surveillance due to his associations with Communists, Oppenheimer’s naivety poses a threat to his future.
Oppenheimer stands as a phenomenal example of television from a more imaginative era.
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