Oppenheimer (1980– )

Biography of the American physicist who led the U.S. effort to develop the atomic bomb during World War II, only to find himself suspected as a security risk in the 1950s because of his ... See full summary »

Stars:

Sam Waterston, John Carson, Christopher Muncke

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Sam Waterston	...	Robert Oppenheimer (7 episodes, 1980)
John Carson	...	Narrator (7 episodes, 1980)
Christopher Muncke	...	Colonel Kenneth Nichols (6 episodes, 1980)
Jana Shelden	...	Kitty Oppenheimer (6 episodes, 1980)
Edward Hardwicke	...	Enrico Fermi (6 episodes, 1980)
David Suchet	...	Edward Teller (6 episodes, 1980)
Manning Redwood	...	General Leslie Groves (5 episodes, 1980)
Peter Whitman	...	Robert Serber (5 episodes, 1980)
Matthew Guinness	...	Hans Bethe (5 episodes, 1980)
Bob Sherman	...	Ernest Lawrence (4 episodes, 1980)
John Morton	...	Robert Wilson (4 episodes, 1980)
Garrick Hagon	...	Frank Oppenheimer (4 episodes, 1980)
Barry Dennen	...	Isidor Rabi (4 episodes, 1980)
Ron Berglas	...	John Manley (3 episodes, 1980)
Liza Ross	...	Jacky Oppenheimer (3 episodes, 1980)
Blain Fairman	...	Robert Bacher (3 episodes, 1980)
Kate Harper	...	Jean Tatlock (3 episodes, 1980)
Peter Marinker	...	Haakon Chevalier (3 episodes, 1980)
Peter Banks	...	Joseph Volpe (2 episodes, 1980)
Phil Brown	...	Lewis Strauss (2 episodes, 1980)
David Baxt	...	Colonel John Lansdale (2 episodes, 1980)
Milton Johns	...	George Kistiakowsky (2 episodes, 1980)
Anthony Forrest	...	Rossi Lomanitz (2 episodes, 1980)
Colin Bennett	...	Seth Neddermeyer (2 episodes, 1980)
Billy J. Mitchell	...	Captain 'Deke' Parsons (2 episodes, 1980)
Stevens Erica	...	Charlotte Serber (2 episodes, 1980)
Rosemary Faith	...	Mitzi Teller (2 episodes, 1980)
Christopher Malcolm	...	Steve Nelson (2 episodes, 1980)
Sarah Brackett	...	Priscilla Duffield (2 episodes, 1980)
Douglas Lambert	...	Kenneth Bainbridge (2 episodes, 1980)
John Cassady	...	F.B.I. Agent (2 episodes, 1980)
William Hootkins	...	F.B.I. Agent (2 episodes, 1980)
Nigel Anthony	...	Scientist (2 episodes, 1980)

Storyline

Biography of the American physicist who led the U.S. effort to develop the atomic bomb during World War II, only to find himself suspected as a security risk in the 1950s because of his increasing ambivalence about the effect of his life's work.

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Plot Keywords:

physicist | atomic bomb | risk | 1950s | one word title | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History | War

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Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 May 1982 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), WGBH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (7 episodes)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

J. Robert Oppenheimer: We had a very interesting study group this summer. Perhaps, too interesting. Much of it was Edward Teller taking us down some pretty strange paths. Have you met Edward, yet? Amazing man. At one point he stopped us cold with calculations that seemed to indicate the heat build-up in a fission explosion could cause a reaction between deuterium and nitrogen.
Gen. Leslie Groves: Meaning?
J. Robert Oppenheimer: We could set fire to the world's atmosphere.
Gen. Leslie Groves: My God!
J. Robert Oppenheimer: It's alright. Hans Bethe checked the figures and it seems Edward had been a ...
[...]

User Reviews

the best

This is the best work i have ever seen on television. The story is compelling--all the more so because it is true. The writers did their homework--the accuracy of events is well documented. The acting is great. This has to be the best role Sam Waterston has ever had. And the black and white cinematography was exceptional. My only regret is that it is not available to buy. A few years ago I contacted someone involved with the production (either with PBS or in England) and was told they had no plans to release it on VHS (at the time). This was a BBC production and ran in the U.S. on American Playhouse. There is such an interest in seeing this--just hard to believe no one can make it available.