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Oppenheimer is a popular documentary film that explores the life and work of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb. Directed by Jon Else, this film has gained critical acclaim for its in-depth portrayal of Oppenheimer’s personal life and scientific achievements. However, before you dive into watching Oppenheimer, there are certain things you should know to fully appreciate the film.
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about Oppenheimer – from its plot to its historical context. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious about one of the most influential scientists of our time, this guide will equip you with all the necessary information before watching this gripping documentary.
Oppenheimer Storyline
The movie Oppenheimer is about the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientific genius who oversaw the creation of the atomic bomb during WWII. The film follows Oppenheimer as he works on the atomic bomb in the years preceding up to its explosion.
Oppenheimer’s conflicted personality shines through as he questions the ethics of building a weapon of mass destruction. We also see how he fought against the project’s government overseers, who wanted the weapon built and used as soon as possible.
A major topic of the film is the intense pressure under which Oppenheimer and his colleagues worked to complete the atomic bomb’s development before the enemy did. Meanwhile, they knew full well the catastrophic results of atomic warfare.
Oppenheimer’s inner turmoil is, thus, central to the story. We see him struggling with his conscience and wondering if his work is moral. Being an outcast thinker in a war-torn country makes things harder for him.
Oppenheimer’s personal life is explored as well, with scenes highlighting his marriage and affair. Despite all of his academic success, his affair with Jean Tatlock stands out because it shows his human side. Oppenheimer’s personal life is tense, which adds to the pressure he’s under to perfect the atomic bomb.
Oppenheimer is a compelling examination of the thorny moral quandaries that accompany human ingenuity. Following Oppenheimer’s life, we are confronted with the repercussions of the atomic age, making for a thought-provoking and disturbing viewing experience.
What is the Manhattan Project?
The Manhattan Project was a top-secret effort sponsored by the United States government during World War II that was ultimately responsible for the development of the atomic bomb.
The mission, which was helmed by Major General Leslie Groves (who is portrayed by Matt Damon in the film), was carried out from 1942 to 1946, shortly after the conclusion of World War II, with assistance from the United Kingdom and Canada.
The project was first given a secret codename, “Development of Substitute Materials.” Still, its first headquarters were located in Manhattan, which is where it gained its renowned nickname, which was later adopted as its official identity.
In point of fact, the Manhattan Project had access to a dozen various “project sites,” one of which was located in Berkeley, California, while the most well-known was located in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where the majority of “Oppenheimer” is filmed.
J. Robert Oppenheimer lived in the Los Alamos location during his time as “director” of the laboratory from 1943 until October 1945, just a few months after the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan. The Los Alamos location was referred to as “Project Y,” and J. Robert Oppenheimer was the head of the project.
This was the location of the infamous “Trinity” test. Oppenheimer and his crew conducted tests of the “Fat Man” bomb in the middle of the desert. The “Fat Man” bomb was a type of nuclear weapon that was ultimately dropped on Nagasaki.
In 1954, Oppenheimer lost his clearance after it was discovered that he had apparent ties to the Communist Party. Nearly seven decades later, in 2004, Oppenheimer was exonerated of this “black mark” by Jennifer Granholm, who was then serving as the United States Secretary of Energy.
OPPENHEIMER has hit Times Square pic.twitter.com/pEPZRyOy12
— Christopher Nolan Art & Updates (@NolanAnalyst) June 23, 2023
Oppenheimer Age Rating & Parents Guide
Oppenheimer is a historical drama series that portrays the life of one of the most significant physicists in history, Robert Oppenheimer, who was instrumental in developing the atomic bomb during World War II.
The show explores the complex and controversial character of Oppenheimer and his contributions to the Manhattan project. The series is rated TV-MA, for mature audiences only, due to its intense violence, nudity, and profanity. The show’s graphic depiction of war scenes, including bombings, death, and destruction, may be disturbing to younger viewers.
Where & How was Oppenheimer filmed?
The film’s producer Christopher Nolan held a casting call for “Oppenheimer” at Santa Fe and Los Alamos at the beginning of 2022. New Mexico served as the film’s opening set, which was paired with other 1940s-era Oppenheimer and Manhattan Project sites.
Additional filming was conducted on both coasts and at Princeton, New Jersey, and Los Angeles, California. With the usual difficulties of period filmmaking and Nolan’s aim of replicating the consequences of an atomic bomb practically, “Oppenheimer” is one of the most ambitious films of 2023.
Nolan achieved his signature cinematic image using 65mm and 65mm large-format cameras and IMAX’s first effort at black-and-white photography. Nolan is well-known for his usage of black and white in IMAX, having shot both his 1998 debut movie “Following” and his 2000 feature “Memento” on 16mm and 35mm, respectively.
Why isn’t Warner Bros. involved with Oppenheimer?
After Christopher Nolan’s breakthrough with 2000’s “Memento,” the independent filmmaker found himself in contention to helm Warner Bros.’ next crime thriller, “Insomnia.” Nolan had to fight to establish his worth to the studio after that, and he did it by directing “The Prestige” and rebooting the Batman series with “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight.”
Warner Bros. has worked with Nolan on a regular basis since 2002, producing and distributing nine of his twelve films. Nolan remained committed to Warner Bros. even after Legendary Pictures, another of his partners, defected to Universal. That is until deep-seated differences of opinion regarding the movie business shifted the dynamic.
Nolan successfully advocated for a theatrical release of his spy thriller “Tenet” in 2020, and it was released alongside a re-release of “Inception” to celebrate the film’s tenth anniversary. Because of this, “Tenet” was one of the few full-length movies that was shown in theaters during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The director was therefore taken aback when Warner Bros. revealed that all of the films on their 2021 schedule would have simultaneous theatrical and HBO Max streaming service releases.
In December of the year 2020, Nolan told ET Online, “There’s such controversy around it because they didn’t tell anyone.” That’s not how business is done; it isn’t good for business overall. By September 2021, Nolan has decided to work with Universal Pictures on the film “Oppenheimer,” abruptly terminating his nearly 20-year collaboration with Warner Bros.
