The world witnessed a historic event on July 16, 1945 – the first atomic explosion. This groundbreaking moment occurred in the high desert of New Mexico, marking the final weeks of World War II. At Ground Zero, the intense heat from the explosion melted the sand, which later solidified into a mineral known as trinitite, named after the Trinity site where it formed. The coordinates 33°40’38.0″N 106°28’31.0″W now hold a significant place in history. J. Robert Oppenheimer, often referred to as “the father of the atomic bomb,” referenced a line from Hindu scripture, saying, “Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds” when reflecting on this moment two decades later.
Film director Christopher Nolan, known for his creative works such as “Dunkirk,” “Inception,” “Interstellar,” and the “Dark Knight” trilogy, has dedicated the past three years to living in Oppenheimer’s world. He has written and directed the film “Oppenheimer,” which is set to be released this week. Nolan considers Oppenheimer the most important person in history, stating, “Oppenheimer’s story is one of the biggest stories imaginable.” Nolan acknowledges the immense impact Oppenheimer had by introducing atomic power, giving humanity the ability to destroy itself, drastically altering the human equation. A trailer for “Oppenheimer” can be viewed on Universal Pictures’ YouTube channel.
The movie “Oppenheimer” is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, “American Prometheus,” co-authored by Kai Bird. The challenge of transforming the historical facts into a cinematic experience while remaining faithful to the history made the endeavor complex. Bird expressed his concerns about how Hollywood would handle his extensive research, to which Nolan empathetically responded. According to Nolan, the dramatic events surrounding Oppenheimer’s involvement in the Manhattan Project, the codename for the race to develop the atomic bomb, make it difficult to find a more compelling human drama.
In the production of “Oppenheimer,” Nolan opted to use an Imax camera to capture the true magnitude of the Trinity project, as only Imax film would do it justice. The resulting 70mm Imax print, which lasts three hours, spans 11 miles on a platter and weighs 600 pounds. Cillian Murphy portrays Oppenheimer in the film, while Matt Damon portrays Leslie Groves, the gruff Army general who recruited Oppenheimer.
Oppenheimer faced several challenges, including his lack of management experience and his association with communist individuals, such as his wife Kitty. This connection caused delays in obtaining a security clearance. However, despite these obstacles, Groves believed in Oppenheimer and selected him for the project. Los Alamos, the secret city where the bomb was designed and constructed, initially had a staff of around 130 people. However, this number grew to 1,700. The scientists, with an average age of 29, lived in close quarters and even formed romantic relationships, which posed security risks due to the sudden increase in births in the area. Nolan donated the furnishings from Oppenheimer’s New Mexico home used during filming to the Los Alamos Historical Society.
Oppenheimer’s moment of truth came when he witnessed the detonation of the atomic bomb, referred to as “the gadget.” Although Germany had already surrendered, Japan continued to fight, resulting in the need for immediate action. The test took place at Ground Zero, while Oppenheimer observed from a bunker 10,000 yards away. The blinding flash of light preceded the arrival of a deafening shockwave. Just three weeks later, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, effectively ending the war. However, Oppenheimer’s satisfaction in winning the war was soon followed by a deep depression upon realizing the devastating impact of his creation on humanity.
In the aftermath of the war, Oppenheimer faced scrutiny from the national security establishment. Lewis Strauss, the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, sought to build more powerful bombs than the Russians, and Oppenheimer’s opposition stood in his way. A security panel, having obtained evidence through illegal wiretaps, heard about Oppenheimer’s communist ties. The panel ultimately ruled against him, leading to the stripping of his security clearance and an agonizing period of humiliation. Oppenheimer sought solace at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, alongside Albert Einstein. Einstein had warned Oppenheimer about engaging in a battle he couldn’t win and even referred to him as a “fool” in Yiddish as Oppenheimer left their conversation.
Decades later, the injustices inflicted upon Oppenheimer were recognized, and in December 2022, the Department of Energy officially vacated the entire clearance hearing. Nevertheless, Oppenheimer’s reputation as the American Prometheus, the individual who acquired fire from the gods only to be tormented thereafter, remains intact. Christopher Nolan remarks that the world we currently inhabit is a result of Oppenheimer’s actions, emphasizing the lasting impact he has had on humanity.
For more information, please visit CBS News. Story produced by David Rothman, with editing by Joseph Frandino.
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