Original subtitles

[instrumental music]

(male narrator) Here amid the 3000-year-old redwoods of California

scientists and dignitaries are burying a time capsule.

At the base of these trees that have watched the rise and fall

of many civilizations, these records of atomic progress

will rest until the year 2446

500 years from now.

Here today are representatives of the free nation

that made the major contributions

to first harnessing atomic energy.

The United States, the United Kingdom

and the Dominion Of Canada.

Major General Leslie R. Groves, deputy chief of engineers.

Beside him, Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer

of the University of California

America's foremost nuclear physicist.

Representing The United Kingdom and the Dominion of Canada

at this ceremony are Dean MacKenzie of Canada

Dr. Chisholm of the British Scientific Mission

and C.D. Howe, Canadian Minister of Munitions.

Dr. Vannevar Bush, director of the Office

of Scientific Research and Development

Dr. Enrico Fermi

Nobel Prize winner of the University of Chicago

and Admiral William S. Parsons

Bureau of Ordnance, United States Navy.

These men of all countries and creeds lent their knowledge

to solving the great problems of atomic energy.

Among the many items and records sealed

in the time capsule were a movie projector

with instructions for its use engraved on copper

and a print of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

motion picture dramatization

"The Beginning Or The End."

A title expressing the fear of people today

that a future atomic war may destroy all humanity.

The message to future generations.

Come what may, our civilization

will have left an enduring record behind it.

Ours will be no lost race.

[intense music]

[instrumental music]

How do you do, whoever you are?

My name is J. Robert Oppenheimer.

I'm an American scientist

working in the year of our Lord, 1946.

I'm addressing you people of the 25th century in English

now and I hope in your time

one of the leading languages of the world.

I'm working in a physics laboratory

typical of many others devoted to scientific research.

In my lifetime, I saw the rise of the automobile

aeroplane, the radio, television

motion pictures and a vast spread of knowledge.

I believe as do many others that my age

is the most enlightened in all history.

And yet during my lifetime, I have already seen

two world wars.

In them, 87 million men and women perished

or were wounded.

The people of my era unleashed the power

which might for all we know

will destroy human life on this Earth.

For you of the 25th century, we have recorded

our search to unlock the atom.

We know the beginning.

Only you of tomorrow, if there is a tomorrow

can know the end.

This story began just before World War II

in German universities and laboratories.

It's the Fuhrer's decision that you scientists must develop

every type of radical and secret weapons

at the earliest moment.

The Fuhrer will provide whatever you need.

You must give all your minds

and loyalty to this great effort.

The Fatherland demands incessant work.

The Fuhrer must have such weapons before anyone else.

- Heil Hitler. - Heil Hitler!

That is all.

Beyond the Western Seas, universities followed

peaceful ways of study and play.

But behind these scenes of athletics

some little people of science no longer wanted by dictators

were tirelessly continuing their inquiries

of the nature's hidden laws.

These refugees from religious and political persecution

delve deep into the newest theories

of the world's great physicists

enlisting the aid of brilliant young American students.

Such a student is Columbia's Matt Cochran.

[beeping]

Dr. Fermi. Dr. Fermi!

'Dr. Marre, come quickly!'

Look. Those big peaks are fissions.

Yes. Yes.

Such energy can only come from splitting uranium atom.

This confirms my cable from Europe.

It confirms everything.

Something else may take place.

I couldn't sleep for thinking of it.

Suppose we split one atom, it may give off other neutrons.

Those neutrons split other atoms.

- A chain reaction. - Yes.

If true, we can change the world

all the power anyone can use every place.

Not so fast. We are blind men reaching into the unknown.

Atomic energy can become a terrible weapon of war.

Look, we've all been educated to believe

that science should help humanity, not destroy it.

All the years of atomic research..

...must they end up in a bomb?

It's inevitable.

So which end of the bomb do you want to be on?

You realize what it will mean

if Hitler succeeds before you do?

But, Dr. Fermi, you refused to do such work in Italy.

- Yes. - And here, you offer to do it.

There, Mussolini demanded I do so.

But here, I would freely volunteer

because I trust our motives.

Yes, I see the difference.

Well, I'll see you gentlemen in about a week.

- Oh, Matt? - As we agreed.

- But you're not through yet. - What's next?

Do I wash the dishes or I make the beds?

Look, my bride and I are going to Washington.

We wanna see the Lincoln Memorial.

You're needed by Szilard and Wigner.

They're making a very crucial experiment.

- Then you'll be there, doctor. - Mnh-mnh.

I have to make a talk to the convention

of physicists tomorrow.

[sighs]

I'm returning to Europe immediately.

So you must be there while they're taking the next step.

That's the nice thing about science.

There's always another milestone.

Well, I hope today is the day, Dr. Szilard.

As soon as Wigner gets here, we will be ready to go.

You will see a demonstration

of one of the fundamental principles of science.

The principle of maximum cussedness.

I knew cussedness worked in human beings.

Does it work in physics too?

Now we expect to find that splitting atoms of uranium

will give off neutrons

making it possible to start a chain reaction

and liberate atomic energy on an enormous scale.

That follows.

Mankind always uses energy for destruction.

At first, anyway.

So our experiment will work.

And there is your fundamental principle of maximum cussedness.

- Matt. - Dr. Wigner.

Here's uranium.

- Now what's wrong? - It must work.

But it doesn't work.

Where are the notes?

Gentlemen...the plugs.

Oh.

[dramatic music]

[beeping]

It works.

I figure about 2 neutrons per fission.

2 neutrons are more than enough. This is exceedingly serious.

We must not talk about this outside here

until we have had time to think it out.

This is too big a responsibility for us, Leo.

The president must be advised.

He'll think we're crazy if we tell him what can result

because we saw some lights on that screen.

We don't carry enough weight.

He would believe Einstein.

- He would listen to him. - Good.

Matt, you had better come along with us to Princeton.

Uh, I was just married. Anne and I are trying

to get away on our honeymoon tonight.

You must come with us, Matt.

Einstein will wanna ask you some questions.

[sighs] He won't ask half the questions my bride will.

[laughs]

Shorty.

- Hey, what's wrong with you? - I have to go to Princeton.

I thought you were through with college.

I have to work out a few equations for Einstein.

I've heard of men running out on a marriage

but never a honeymoon.

Duty calls and how I hate it.

- Why can't I go along? - What for?

You never passed your algebra.

- When will you be back? - By tonight, I hope.

I'll miss you.

You better take in a show or something.

I think I'll do the laundry.

[sighs]

On this quiet campus

the world's greatest living scientist

found refuge from religious persecution.

Now I understand why you were so urgent.

And you agree, professor, the chain reaction can result

in a bomb which might destroy all the world's people.

It's possible. But we must remember

that man has not been able to destroy even insect pests.

Such a bomb could kill millions of human beings

in a single attack.

I just received a letter from a friend abroad.

I suppose you've heard Germany has stopped

all exports of uranium.

Then we've little time to lose.

It's a race and the United States hasn't even started yet.

So you see why we must inform the president.

And after all, professor, it's all based on your theory

of mass being energy and energy being mass.

Come now.

You can't attribute it all to my theory.

Nuclear physics started with the discovery of radium

by Madame Curie, a Pole.

It was developed by Rutherford, an Englishman.

Artificial radioactivity was discovered

by Joliot, a Frenchman.

Uranium was first bombarded with neutrons

by Fermi, an Italian.

The neutron itself was discovered

by Chadwick, an Englishman.

The cyclotron by Lawrence, an American.

And the splitting of uranium was detected by Hahn, a German.

Don't blame it all on me.

Would it be possible for you to go and see

President Roosevelt yourself?

But I have a cold.

And besides, I do not know Mr. Roosevelt very well.

I ensure the president knows you, sir.

It will be more polite if I just write him a letter.

- 'Good.' - Thank you, sir.

[sighs]

Now how shall we begin?

Uh, stay near me and help me with my grammar and spelling.

Uh, make some notes, please.

Dear Mr. Roosevelt

some recent work by Enrico Fermi and Leo..

Before Einstein's letter reached President Roosevelt

Germany's march of conquest began.

Hitler invaded and conquered country after country.

It was lightning war.

It seemed no one could stop him.

The United States remained at peace.

Universities and colleges throughout the nation

steeped themselves in atomic research.

Our scientists looking past the frontlines

pushed forward in the race for knowledge.

Compton at Chicago, Lawrence at California

Urey at Columbia, Smyth at Princeton

Spedding at Iowa State, Bacher at Cornell

Nier at Minnesota, Wright at Wisconsin.

They contributed knowledge and resources

to the gigantic battle to conquer the atom.

[intense music]

On December 7, 1941

Japan attacked the United States.

The war covered the world.

One week later, a representative scientist

Dr. Vannevar Bush, had an appointment.

- Good morning, Dr. Bush. - Miss Tully.

- Glad to see you again, Van. - Mr. President.

- Sit down. - Always a great honor, sir.

In the last few months, you've caused me more sleepless nights

than any individual since I've become president.

And so far, Mr. President, I've only sent you

a few brief messages.

Now I've brought you our complete report to date.

Summing up the judgment of the National Academy's

reviewing committee.

Huh.

Is it favorable or unfavorable?

Uh, we believe if pushed to the limits

with money, materials and resources

such a bomb could be an actuality.

- 'How long will it take?' - Um, nobody knows.

One of these bombs

atom bombs, I suppose you call them?

Could it be carried in a plane?

We've no idea how large it will be.

That's one of the things we must learn.

'What'll it cost?'

That's another serious problem.

It would cost at least..

Yes?

One billion dollars.

[whistles]

That's a lot of money to ask Congress to appropriate.

Even when they know what it's for.

We hope to hold it down to a billion

which I realize is a lot of money.

We may as well face it. It, it might cost..

Yes?

Two billion.

[sighs]

[dog barks]

[whines]

Back in '39, the navy put up some money as a starter.

- How much? - Six thousand dollars.

We've since committed about 300,000.

Well, that leaves quite a way to go up to two billions.

Congress would be justified in impeaching me

if I spent that much money on a secret project that failed.

Mr. President, the members of the National Academy of Science

are the best this country can produce.

There are sincere, brilliant men working for America.

They feel we must go ahead.

What immediate steps would be necessary?

Push the various scientific projects.

Uh, develop pilot plants.

Make plans for production

even if other war projects must be curtailed.

And the army should appoint an officer of engineers

to coordinate all these activities.

If we should get this bomb

will it be just another bomb

or a decisive weapon?

We fear it will be decisive.

What about the supply of uranium?

Well, largest available source is Canada.

Well, that means asking Canada and Britain.

They're scientists. They're also working on this problem.

So their participation would be invaluable.

Atomic energy on the loose could open the way

for the destruction of all civilization.

The perfection of atomic weapons is inevitable.

If not by this country, then by some other.

Have you any idea how far Hitler's scientists

have progressed?

'We feel sure they're on the same track.'

'Probably ahead of us.'

I have prayed I'd never have to make this decision.

Well, thank you for coming, Van.

'You and your colleagues have done a disagreeable duty well.'

I'll let you know.

Thank you. Good day, Mr. President.

Sit down, Grace.

Grace, you're a woman and you hate war as much as I do.

If Hitler had a bomb that could wipe out a city

like Washington in one shot

what would he do with it?

He'd use it.

Uh, Haggie? Get me Mr. Winston Churchill.

[sirens blaring]

[blows whistle]

Have a look.

[explosions]

That was a close one. They're coming over in force tonight.

I hope Amy and the baby got to shelter quickly.

Telephone, Dr. Chisholm.

Dr. Chisholm, telephone.

Oh, good heavens.

Chisholm here.

Yes, certainly.

Yes.

This man never sleeps.

Yes, Mr. Churchill.

[chuckles] Oh, is that so?

The entire staff?

Very well, we'll start immediately.

Yes. Yes.

Quite.

Listen, everyone.

The prime minister has ordered

the whole kit and caboodle of us to America

to combine our atomic efforts with theirs.

December '42, Stagg Field, Chicago.

Now the army is in it.

In contact with every step taken by the men of science.

But keeping in the background for reasons of security.

"Metallurgical Laboratory?"

Well, you hardly call that the uranium project

for the development of the atomic bomb.

[chuckles] Hardly.

Thank you, sir.

[knocks]

Just a moment, gentlemen.

There's danger of deep burns and poisoning.

These detectors help guard against it.

Would you, please, give your names to the girl?

Chisholm, Howe and Wyatt.

Chisholm, Wyatt, Howe.

Right through that door, please.

- Fermi. - Dr. Chisholm.

- Hi. - Hello. Good to have you here.

- This is Dr. Wyatt. - How do you do?

C.D. Howe, minister of munitions for Canada.

- Dr. Compton. - Alright.

- Gentlemen. - How're your tests progressing?

Well, they've gone far enough to show us

how difficult the whole project is.

What about uranium?

The Dominion government is pushing production to the limit.

Oh, Dr. Zinn. Call a staff. Will you, please, Wally?

We'll start the full pile test at once.

Things are looking up around here.

We didn't dream you'd be ready so soon.

- Suppose we go in? - Why, yes.

This way.

The man in the brown suit.

- 'Uh, Dr. Fermi?' - Yes?

Uh, I'm Major Nixon.

I'm the new assistant to the area engineer

and, uh, observer for the army.

- Glad to see you. Matt? - Thank you.

Ease up on the control rod!

(Dr. Fermi) 'Hey, Matt!'

Take care of the army for us, will you, please?

Thanks, doctor.

- Matt Cochran. - Jeff Nixon.

You got here just in time for the fireworks.

Oh, good. Say, uh

I'm a, a little behind on Flash Gordon's latest.

How about a quick briefing?

Compared to what we're trying to do

Flash Gordon is a boy from the Stone Age.

Oh, then I'm a prehistoric ape.

This steel runs like this.

This is a hunk of pure uranium

refined from the crude ore of pitchblende .

- In it are many 238 atoms. - How many?

'A hundred million to the inch.'

- Cubic inch? - 'Ordinary ruler inch.'

- Oh. - And a few 235 atoms.

Did you see a tree hit by lightning split in two?

Mm-hmm.

When a neutron hits a 235 atom

the atom splits like that tree.

It also sends out more neutrons.

Some of which hit other 235 atoms and so on..

...resulting in a chain reaction.

It's as if that tree were in a forest and sent out lightning

when it split splitting the other trees.

Is that a fact?

Uh, well, now what happens to the rest of the atom family?

Other neutrons hit U-238 atoms

which do not split

and change them into a metal called plutonium

which we intend to use in the bomb.

Oh, plutonium?

Of course, we haven't any plutonium.

- Why not? - There's never been any.

- It's a brand-new element. - Oh.

The pile is an atom smasher.

A stack of all in that graphite bricks and pure uranium

to supply the neutrons to keep the chain reaction going

and make plutonium.

Hm.

Roll a billiard ball on a table

that has only two other billiard balls on it

and it might not collide with them.

Oh, that experience I've had.

But fill the table with billiard balls and when it rolls

it's sure to hit at least two more.

The pile is our table filled with neutrons and atoms

instead of billiard balls.

Mm-hm.

Um, what happens if this dream doesn't work?

There won't be a plutonium bomb.

Other scientists are trying to separate U-235 from uranium.

If they succeed, we can get a bomb out of that.

- Supposing they flop? - There won't be any bomb.

What's the joke?

Well, I have to, uh, try to make a report on this

that my boss can understand.

Well, we scientists stopped all publications

on atomics long ago.

I hope your report will be top secret.

Well, I hope I'll have a top secret to report.

It's ironic only a war could give us this chance.

Most scientists really don't wanna make a bomb.

I thought a bomb was what this was all about.

Well, what we discover should belong to the world

as much as a new medical discovery.

Well, just get us that bomb.

And get it before Hitler or the Japs.

I often wonder if we should.

Well, the way the war has been going against us, you'd better.

And soon.

You can do your wondering later.

Well, that's our atomic billiard table.

Hm. Now the show doesn't really start

until the pile reaches the size we call critical.

Then it should start to multiply

if the chain reaction really works.

You mean chain reaction is only an idea too?

Oh, it's better than that. It's an unproved theory.

The pile is controlled by those cadmium rods running through it.

Until they're pulled out, they absorb neutrons greedily

and keep the pile from running away and exploding.

And if that theory doesn't work?

- Well, we may lose something. - Like what?

Oh, like Chicago.

Of course, that really couldn't happen.

Well, why, why didn't you move it out into the desert?

Well, we intended to, but all our equipment's here

and time is everything.

Where's the service station?

Well, if the pile gets out of control

they rush in and tear it apart.

They're the suicide squad.

Oh, uh, that's nice pleasant work.

Yes, they're sure to get a bad dose

of radioactivity poisoning.

Keep that right on there, George.

Yes, sir.

Hold this, please. We may need it.

And don't drop it.

(Dr. Fermi) Complete the last layer of bricks, please.

- Completed. - Thank you.

[machine whirring]

Should be critical.

Testing stations, please.

Uh, don't you have a job?

I'm in charge of that vertical bar.

My pals laughingly call it dead man's ride.

If something goes wrong, I figure I'll keel over

gravity will drop the bar into the pile

and maybe save something.

- Like what? - Like St. Louis?

Remove the safety rods.

Ease out the control rod.

Out a little more, please.

[beeping]

Out a little more, please.

Out a little more, please.

It must multiply.

Move the rod out another foot.

[beeping]

Change chamber 9 to 10.

[beeping]

Out a little more, please.

[beeping]

'Out a little more, please.'

[beeping]

Little more, please.

[beeping]

It multiplies.

It multiplies.

[beeping]

Little more, please.

[beeping]

Little more, please.

[beeping]

Hold it! That's enough! Push the rod back!

Replace the safety rods.

Oh.

- Good. - Perfect.

- This will make history-- - Matt.

You can tell Washington it works.

(Dr. Compton) 'I have the message all prepared.'

- 'Ahead of me, huh?' - 'How's this?'

"The Italian navigator has landed safely in the new world."

And found the natives very friendly.

- Thank you, Art. Thank you. - 'Good.'

- You see this, doctors. - Why.

Congratulations, gentlemen.

Uh, how many atoms of plutonium did we make?

- Thousands of millions. - No.

Hitler, here we come.

Not yet. We've only taken the first step in a marathon race.

- This is only a test. - Oh.

To get enough plutonium to cover the head of a pin

we'd have to run this pile a million years.

Oh, thank you, major. I find we need this after all.

[indistinct chatter]

- Pass these along, will you? - Yes.

[indistinct chatter]

- 'Go on, help yourselves now.' - 'Let it flow, doctor.'

- 'Thank you very much.' - 'Thank you, doctor.'

Yes, sir.

Major.

'Matt.'

God, give us time.

And, God, forgive us.

- Dr. Fermi. - Yes?

My colleagues and I feel that this is now

a munition's project.

Our belief opposes violence in all forms.

We would, therefore, like to resign.

I hate to lose you, but I respect your scruples.

Thank you for what you have done so far.

- Thank you, sir. - Thank you.

- Thank you, sir. - Thank you.

Sometimes it takes greater principles to stay than to go.

It's a free country.

Yes, yes, it is.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight, sir.

[beeping]

[telephone ringing]

Main gate.

Yes.

Okay.

You're wanted in the doctor's office right away, Mr. Cochran.

Thanks.

(Anne) 'Hello, stranger.'

Oh, shorty, don't come near me.

- Try and stop me. - Stop!

Oh.

I've picked up some sort of radioactivity.

You.. Are you sure you're alright?

Oh, it's nothing. But I better go back to the clinic.

I'll wait right here.

The counter at the gate.

Your pen shows overexposure to radioactivity too.

Shall we start the blood count, doctor?

Immediately.

[device whirring]

Get out of those clothes.

Were you very close to the pile?

Dead man's rod.

- I've been all around the pile. - This could be very serious.

- Yes, doctor? - Blood count, please.

You'll have to report here daily for rechecks.

The worse may not show up for weeks.

You've quite a menagerie here.

(male #1) 'Yes, testing for alpha ray cancer'

'and similar diseases.'

To get enough for our work

we had to set up a chain reaction in mice.

(Matt) 'Oh.'

This radium capsule was in the captain's trousers.

[device whirring]

[whirring stops]

We thought that frisker counter at the gate

would keep an eye on you daydreamers.

What do I do? Go home in a sheet?

You might have gone home under one.

- Goodnight, Mr. Cochran. - Goodnight.

- Are you alright? - Perfect.

Hey, what are you doing here?

Oh, I tried to be a good girl

but I couldn't stay away any longer.

It's telepathy.

I know you've been working 24 hours a day

and haven't any time, but I just had to see you.

What about your job?

Oh, I told them I needed a few days off

to chase down a man.

Darling, what's wrong with you?

You seem a million miles away and empty inside.

I wish I could tell you, shorty.

- Is it about your work? - Mm-hm.

You could stop it and join the army.

In many ways, the frontlines will be easier.

Oh, I hate to see you like this.

Well, you'll just have to trust me.

Let me work things out for myself.

I'll trust you, love you.

Darling, the problems you can tell me, I still share.

But if you mustn't talk about them, let's forget them.

There are nicer things for the few moments we have.

"This above all to thine own self be true.

"And it must follow as the night the day.

Thou canst not then be false to any man."

And you better not be false to me either.

- Morning, General Groves. - Morning.

Nixon.

- Yes, sir? - What are you doing here?

I'm ordered to report to you, sir, as your assistance.

Well, that's a pleasant surprise.

I'll bet it is.

- Morning, Jim. - 'Morning, sir.'

I thought I'd get rid of you.

Oh, that's hard to do, sir.

Where have you been?

Uh, well, different jobs.

- Hello. - How do you do, sir?

Look at those suckers.

Stuck here for the duration behind a desk.

It's tough to train for war for 20 years and not get to fight.

Hard on the taxpayers too.

I bet the real reason you wangled this job with me

is because you heard I was heading overseas.

- Good morning, general. - Morning, General Somervell.

How'd do you like the most important job in this war?

Who wouldn't?

See General Styer in half an hour.

You will take charge of S-11.

S-11?

Seven cum eleven, sounds like a lucky number.

Before you're through with it

you'll wish you'd been born a girl baby.

S-11.

Now that could have something to do with submarines.

Submarines.

The only real job in this war is landing in France.

- Good morning, Miss O'Leary. - Good morning, general.

Colonel.

Morning, dreambug. Are you as sleepy as I am?

The next time you keep me up till 3:00 a.m., I'll kill you.

Well, I always say people should make the most

of charming company, no matter what the time is.

And you are charming.

Uh, let's mind the sweet talk, colonel.

Well, we had to celebrate this new and exalted

rank of mine too.

Which reminds me, where's my insignia?

Oh.

There you are.

That's just so people will know who you belong to.

Say, uh, how about tonight?

[chuckles] You tap me strangely, sir.

But sorry, Jeff, to hit this job at 8:00 a.m.

a girl needs most of her beauty rest.

'Maybe tomorrow.'

Um, haven't you heard?

General Groves is headed overseas tomorrow.

Oh, no, Jeff, you're not.. Not so soon.

Yeah. Afraid this is it.

- Oh, I wish-- - Tonight?

You bet.

Colonel.

You can spare little time for military affairs.

Come on, Bill, tell us, what's that most important

overseas job in this war? Kidnapping Hitler?

The most important job in this war

is right here in Washington.

Now wait a minute. I'm a field soldier

and I've done my share of desk work.

This job will make construction of 100 training camps

and this building seem like playing with baby's blocks.

The president has signed a blank check for it.

And I fill it in? No, thanks.

(Styer) 'If you'll take this job'

'you'll be doing everybody in Washington a favor.'

Why pick on me?

You're the only officer in the army who can think

of spending 100 million bucks without fainting.

Of course, it won't be easy

working with the best scientists in the country.

(Groves) 'Who's been running the show up till now?'

Briggs at the Bureau of Standard.

Bush and Conan. The OSRD.

Other top men.

It'd be like managing a three-ring circus

'with big corporations for elephants.'

What is it?

Developing something to end this war.

- An atomic bomb. - An atomic bomb?

(Styer) 'That's it.'

'You should be proud they want you to do the job.'

I'd like to meet the guy that recommended me for it.

What's been done so far?

You can be brought up-to-date on the details

by Colonel Nixon.

So you know the details to date, colonel.

Yes, sir.

S-11. Submarines.

Well, that S really stood for security, general.

I'm sorry though, sir, I know how you feel.

I had my heart set on overseas duty too.

Where do I pick up the blank check?

Not here. This one is mine.

It's for $2 and 63 cents for garden seeds.

S-11.

- Chisholm, England. - Thank you.

- Wyatt, England. - Thank you.

Keller, Chrysler Corporation.

Bush, Office of Scientific Research and Development.

- Hello, Dr. Bush. - Hello.

Rafferty, Union Carbide.

D.C. Keith, Kellex Corporation.

Willie, General Electric.

'Thank you.'

Carpenter, DuPont Company.

[indistinct chatter]

All present, general.

Thank you for coming. Colonel.

I'm about to read you formally and officially

the Espionage Act of this country.

"Whoever with the intent to use it to the entry

"of the United States, communicates or attempts

"to communicate to any foreign government

"or any subject thereon, information relating

"to the national defense in time of war

"shall be punished by death

or by imprisonment for not more than 30 years."

Gentlemen, my commission required me to take an oath

to defend the United States against all of its enemies

whomsoever.

I'm sure each of you would be glad to do the same.

We're here to discuss a matter of great importance.

Those who remain will be bound by the Espionage Act.

Anyone who wishes to leave the room may now do so.

This is not Germany.

I take it we understand each other.

Our country must have an atomic bomb.

'It's your job and mine to get it.'

'From today, the army is in charge of this project.'

It will be mentioned only by its code name.

Manhattan District.

This must be the best kept secret in all history.

Intelligence and security will be under

Colonels Lansdale and Consodine.

They will investigate the background and connections

of every man working on it including myself.

Everyone here has already been investigated

or you wouldn't be in this room.

I don't want to alarm you

but anyone who even knows about this

may be in danger from enemy agents.

'From the time you leave here, you will constantly be'

'under protected guard.'

'That is only a minor phase of our work.'

'Our men are with the European underground'

reporting locations of Nazi laboratories and so forth.

The Germans are making atomic progress.

Our bombers in the RAF will try to slow that down

to get you the time you need.

Our plants must process mountains of uranium ore

to get molehills of explosive material.

The manpower and plants required

make building the pyramid seem like child's play.

We're still feeding our waste tumbling along.

There are many scientific problems yet unsolved.

I'm counting on you scientists to solve them.

A plutonium plant needs tons of pure graphite.

Power, cooling water, it must be isolated.

It may endanger a large area.

We've decided to build that plant near Coulee Dam

and cool it with the waters of the Columbia River.

Code name, Site W.

What about U-235?

We'll set up the two uranium factories

and the plutonium pilot plant near TVA in Tennessee.

Code name, Site X.

Well, we need a laboratory and proving ground for this bomb.

We got one?

[chuckles]

I don't believe I'll tell even you gentlemen

where that will be.

But you may refer to it as Site Y.

This will be the biggest job ever undertaken by men.

And it must be the fastest.

We'll need many existing plants.

You'll have to plan, design, build and run many new ones.

You represent our top corporations.

'Will you do the job?'

But there are many things to be considered.

First, my company's had no experience in this type of work.

No one has had any experience in this work.

We're overloaded with war contracts.

Our manpower is stretched to the breaking point.

Mr. Carpenter, no part of this project will be easy.

They've laid down a challenge.

That's something American industry has always picked up.

But how can we?

Think quicker, work faster, drive harder.

General Groves, my company will throw its resources

wholeheartedly into this project with two stipulations.

What are they?

All patents must be assigned

to the people of the United States

and our total profit shall be $1.

You've made a deal.

We've named this place Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The plutonium pilot plant, thymol laboratories

goes over there.

One uranium factory will go in that valley.

The other goes beyond those hills.

Imagine the industrial empire

that'll feed material under this place.

We'll put the intersection of Georgia and Tennessee avenues

right there.

From a stick in the dust, a secret city rose.

Forests were felled for homes, schools, hospitals.

Thousands of tons of steel.

Millions of heated lumber.

And there was always security.

Men and women, builders, mechanics

electricians, plumbers, carpenters.

Not knowing what they were building because of security.

Security wherever they were.

Security at home. Security abroad.

Secret, secret, secret.

From everywhere came scientists.

From the laboratories, from industry, from the army

from colleges, from technical schools.

For this was a young man's project.

They knew why they were there, but they were silent

because of security.

Secret, secret, secret.

A stick in the dust

became the fifth largest city in the state.

Working, working

working on mountains of pitchblende from Canada.

Refined into a tiny stick of something.

Which someday might change the course of the world.

How long do you think we'll be here?

Couple of centuries, I hope.

End of the line.

Shoes.

Stockings?

Shoes.

And now the mud.

Do we play hide and go seek or run sheepy run?

That isn't mud, shorty, it's glue.

Ah, much easier to wash your feet than clean your shoes.

- What? No piggyback? - Come on.

- Matt. - Just testing.

They come through every once in a while.

Testing for what?

You saw the sign right there. No questions.

I feel like I'm married to Superman.

- Oh, here it is. - Ah, breathtaking.

Home sweet home.

(Matt) 'Ah!'

[Anne laughs]

Sort of bare, but at least we're together.

Well, families with two kids get much larger quarters.

Twins run in our family.

Wow. Think of the time we'll save.

- General. - Come in, Rand.

Pull up a chair, gentlemen.

Well, Rand, what's on your mind?

Process A is an absolute failure, general.

We've no chance to make it work?

I hate to say this, but we all agree it's no good.

Then we'll abandon it.

But, general, we've already spent 20 million dollars.

Can't ride a dead horse.

We put your people to work at the electromagnetic plant.

That looks like a dead horse, too, general.

What's wrong with it?

We'll never get enough copper to wire those electromagnets.

We've combed every source.

Copper. Copper alloys.

Nickel, chrome, silver.

Silver.

Silver is as good a conductor as copper.

'How much do you need?'

Six million pounds.

Six..

Six million pounds of silver?

And that's 100 million bucks.

[chuckles] Another 100 million dollars.

Holy smoke.

General, here's another one in your lap.

There's not a mill in America that can roll 3 inch stainless.

- Then build one. - Yes, sir.

We've been on the brink of failure too often to weaken now.

Fermi.

More trouble?

Dr. Compton sent Major Gregor down here.

The chemists finally have a practical method

for extracting plutonium from uranium.

What?

Don't tell me we started to run in a stretch.

Ha-ha.

We're back in business.

Mr. Carpenter of DuPont is here on an inspection trip.

Ask him to step in right away, please.

And, Tom, about that silver.

The treasury.

The treasury department has plenty of silver.

I'll get them to lend us the six million pounds you need.

I'll sign for it.

I hope your credit is good, general.

If they bark, I'll put it up to the White House.

We won't even charge the treasury department

for taking care of it and we'll give it back to them

when we're finished with it.

Now get your people to work.

- And, Urey. - Right, general.

Oh, Fermi, sit down just a minute.

Mr. Carpenter, the chemists have finally

licked plutonium extraction.

'We can go ahead with the Hanford plant.'

Well.

What about moving the people who live in that area?

It covers 700 square miles.

That's your job, Jeff.

Get those 18,000 people out of there.

Locate them in new homes, make them happy.

- But don't tell 'em why. - Yes, sir.

Major Gregor and Cochran will go along to help.

- But, uh-- - Yes?

Well, get going. There's a plane waiting at the airport.

Take off the second you get there.

I'll wire Dr. Compton to meet you in Hanford.

Yes, sir.

I, uh, take it Anne got in today.

- Half an hour ago. - Oh, boy.

You certainly have a beautiful home life.

- Touch and go. - Just go.

In the far northwest, thousands of families

living on the planes on ranches in small towns

suddenly were asked to pull up stakes and move.

So they left with their children, with their cattle

with their family pets, with all their belongings.

They would be given new homes, new lands.

They were told only that their sacrifice

would help win the war.

So without question, without protest

without even knowing that they were helping to fashion

the greatest weapon of all the weapons of war

they left.

Hello, general?

General, we must have 200 houses at once.

Two hundred houses? What for?

So that the 200 precision tool makers I need

will have a place to live after you get them for me.

After I..

Two hundred precision tool makers?

There aren't that many in the country.

Captain Parsons and I agree that to design

and build the gadget, we need them immediately.

- I'll see what I can do. - Thank you.

Thank you.

There's still a few details I've designed to work out.

Hello, Jeff. We've been expecting you.

- Hello, Oppy. - Hey, Matt. He got here.

- Hello, Matt. - Hi, Jeff.

Parsons.

This is the first uranium 235..

Will you sign these papers, Oppy?

Oh, of course.

I, uh, hope you know the combination. I don't.

We counted on this arriving on February 7

so we made the combination 2745.

Well, it's like America met a deadline.

And there's only a few 100 more to meet.

Forty-five.

- There you are. - Thank you.

[dramatic music]

Finally, we're in the ballgame.

Ammo the man on first base.

Joe, Ski, Matt, everybody come here, will you, please?

- Uranium 235. - 235.

Few men have ever seen it except through a microscope.

Well, I hope its kick is bigger than its size.

Millions of fracas came in at Oak Ridge

and they could be held with a pair of tweezers.

July?

No, I've nothing more.

Thank you, Steve.

The German rockets are hitting England hard.

What about Japan?

Psychological warfare has convinced the Japs

will fight right down to the women and children.

Steve said something about July.

They're testing the atomic bomb then.

At last.

I'm sure it will work.

All that effort must bring success.

Our latest intelligence worries me.

Considering the damage plane rockets do

it'll be murder if Hitler comes up with an atomic one.

Sounds horrible.

I better send a long memo to Vice President Truman

to let him in on Manhattan District.

I've written him enough short ones to keep out of it.

[chuckles]

My dear Harry.

The artist is ready, Mr. President.

Remind me to finish that memo.

One thing I'm sure of, our men are doing their best.

If it works and we win the race, we'll be able to end the war.

I hope so.

There's, uh, there's an additional thought

I want to incorporate in my Jefferson Day speech.

Yes.

We seek peace.

Enduring peace.

More than an end to war

we want an end to the beginnings of all wars.

Yes.

An end to this brutal

inhuman

and thoroughly impractical method

of settling the differences between governments.

Yes.

[dog whimpers]

No more for him life-storming conflicts

nor victory nor defeat.

No more time's dark events

charging like ceaseless clouds across the sky.

[indistinct chatter]

[knock on door]

- Hello, general. - Hello, Oppy. Fermi.

General. Matt.

I'm glad you could get here for the verdict.

- Thank you. General Farrell. - How do you do?

- Dr. Oppenheimer. - Oppy.

General Farrell will be in charge of field operations.

- If we have them. - Right.

- Should we go ahead? - Please.

- 'Good evening, general.' - Hello, colonel.

Good evening, sir.

The bomb position here is called Zero.

These observation posts are South-10

'West-10 and North-10.'

Each is 10,000 yards from the explosion.

5.7 miles.

Complete recording instruments will be at Jumbo

and at all observation points.

'Barometric observers will be here, here, here and here.'

All will measure the intensity of the explosion

if there is one.

I understand I'm to be at base camp.

And General Farrell with you at control station.

That's correct.

These are concrete camera stations.

The closest camera is 6 miles from Zero.

The explosion should produce a light

unlike anything ever seen before

so do not look directly at the flash.

Uh, further safety precautions will be broadcast later.

Oh, how about the people around here?

This is a pretty desolate country.

Nearest city is Albuquerque, 120 miles away.

There is a small settlement here.

It's 30 miles from Zero.

Their only danger is if

radioactive dust should settle on them.

'If that appears probable, we plan to move them by truck.'

Suppose the dust drifts over us, general?

Well, I don't know about you, but I intend to run.

[chuckles]

Well, boys, let's get to our posts

and start assembling the first atomic bomb.

[thunder rumbling]

[thunderbolt]

I'm glad it was only the dummy bomb.

- Safe to open my eyes? - Huh?

I've always been scared of lightning.

[thunder rumbling]

Attention!

Turn it to your right.

It fits.

Make that connection tighter.

Tight.

[whirring]

Close her up.

[whirring]

Gee, Mack, I sure wish I could move.

Me too.

Alright, boys, let's get to our stations.

We'll clear this area except for the final party.

[whirring]

[whirring intensifies]

[whirring intensifies]

- Okay, Jeff! - Okay!

All yours.

I can't help thinking, suppose this bomb

sets off the oxygen and nitrogen atoms

and starts a chain reaction in the air.

Chances are less than one in a million.

- How fast would it travel? - Thousands of miles a second.

That means a chain reaction in the air

would go round the world in a second or two.

That's right.

All set, sir.

Well, this is it.

Farrell, good luck.

I'll be 4 miles further away.

General, if air chain reaction happens

that won't be a safe margin.

And remember, you'll be in the open.

[thunder rumbling]

This storm won't clear for an hour, doctor.

- Thank you. - That's great.

Won't be able to see or photograph much in this.

We'll set a new zero hour.

- 5:30. - Better get going.

Go ahead, Dr. Wyatt.

Attention, all observers.

'At minus two minutes, all exposed personnel'

'will lie on the ground eyes and face down'

'head away from Zero.'

It is now zero minus nine minutes.

You must now apply sunburn lotion to face and hands.

'Put on your special glasses.'

'You must at all times shield your eyes'

'from the light of the explosion.'

'It is now zero minus seven minutes.'

'The hazard from injuries to the skin'

'is best overcome by covering up.'

'Use lotion freely.'

'It is now zero minus five minutes.'

It is now zero minus two minutes.

'The sound will not reach you until seconds after the flash'

depending on your distance from the tower.

'It is now zero minus one minute.'

Cut in the automatic control.

(Dr. Wyatt) 'It is now zero minus ten seconds.'

'Nine seconds.'

'Eight seconds.'

'Seven seconds.'

'Six seconds.'

'Five.'

'Four.'

'Three.'

'Two.'

'One.'

[explosion]

[intense music]

The heat.

- Oh, oh, it was an earthquake. - It's an invasion!

Head on collision between two army bombers.

Saw 'em plain as day.

By God, they're coming.

Come over the barn. It's about 10 miles from here.

[wind howling]

[dramatic music]

It's equal to at least 20,000 tons of TNT.

[whistles]

Well.

[laughs] How did you survive today, little one?

Did you wear dark glasses and put your feet towards the blast?

You know, at first I thought the bomb might be terrible enough

to make man choose between peace and destruction.

Now I've seen it.

I wish we hadn't made it.

Robert, a lot of men not yet born

will be grateful to you for this day.

Thank you, Van.

I hope they'll have reason to be grateful.

We have unleashed a force that can be very good

or very evil.

All the energy of the universe

locked up since the beginning of time.

Now we've finally turned the key.

I wish President Roosevelt could've lived to have seen it.

Yes, he would've been very happy to know that now it seems

certain we can hurry the end of the war.

Oppy, did you really have no worry

how far this reaction might go?

In my head, no.

In my heart, yes.

[intercom buzzes]

- 'Yes?' - 'Mr. President.'

(male #2) 'Your press secretary, Mr. Ross, is here.'

(President Truman) 'Send him in, please.'

- Mr. President. - Charlie.

I have just distributed to the press the text

of the Potsdam Declaration, the ultimatum to Japan.

What was their reaction?

Great approval and some curiosity.

Why curiosity?

Why shouldn't we and Great Britain and China

call on Japan for immediate surrender

now that Germany's beaten?

That last sentence, Mr. President.

"The alternative for Japan

is prompt and utter destruction."

That word prompt struck them.

Some of the men seem to think that it means that, uh

we have more B-29s than anybody knows.

Some of the others think, uh

we've got some mysterious new weapon.

Those newspapermen are shrewd guessers.

- Sir? - Sit down, Charlie.

I wanna tell you our nation's top secret.

It must remain just that, top secret.

Of course.

We have developed the most fearful weapon

'ever forged by man.'

'An atomic bomb.'

Even the word is frightening.

It's been tested and it works.

It's a harnessing of the basic power of the universe.

In peacetime, atomic energy could be used

to bring about a golden age.

Such an age of prosperity and well-being

as the world has never known.

In war, this same energy has destructive power

almost beyond the comprehension of man.

It's clear now what the words

prompt and utter destruction mean.

Thank God, we've got the bomb and not the Japanese.

If they had it, they'd surely use it on us.

'That's one argument for our using it, Charlie'

'but it's not the decisive argument.'

The whole thing is terrifying.

You must've spent many sleepless nights over it.

I've consulted with Mr. Churchill

with all my top military and naval advisors.

I've talked with the civilian heads of our war effort.

And all these advisors tell me

the bomb will shorten the war by at least a year.

Where are we going to use it?

That's another question I had to think about.

The army has selected several Japanese cities

as prime military targets

because of war industries or military installations

or troop concentrations or fortifications.

We're gonna shower all these places for ten days

with leaflets telling the population to leave.

Telling them what's coming.

'We hope these warnings will save lives.'

It should.

And if the bomb shortens the war

it will save many thousands of American lives.

A year less of war, Charlie, will mean life for 300,000

maybe a half a million of America's finest youth.

Not only that, but it'll mean life for thousands of British

of Russians, of Chinese, of Japanese.

These were the decisive considerations in my consent.

As president of the United States, sir

you could make no other decision.

As president, I could not.

So I have told the army to take the bomb to the Marianas

and when they receive the green light, to use it.

[indistinct chatter]

We'll all meet here again.

It's a promise, the four of us.

First chance after the war is over.

Pardon me. We're about ready for the takeoff, Colonel Nixon.

- Thanks, sergeant. - Yes, sir.

You know, it's very funny.

Every time we see each other

we're either saying hello or goodbye.

When I get back, it's gonna be hello for keeps.

Oh, are we playing for keeps?

Well, it's about time, isn't it?

Could be. That is, if you promise

to bring me back a grass skirt, could be.

Oh, sure, I'll bring you back a dozen grass skirts

and a ukulele for myself.

Don't, uh, get too far away from that telephone, will you, baby?

I'm allergic to don't answer signals.

All you gotta do, soldier, is dial

and when I hear your honeytones

I'll start baking your cake.

Oh, no. Not that.

Alright, I'll buy you one.

- Goodbye. - So long.

I hate to leave a cute gal like you on the loose.

Big risk you're running.

Farther away you go, the tighter you hold me.

I can think of less painful ways

of proving how we feel about each other.

Parting is no sweet sorrow to me.

It's just a pain in the neck.

And such a cute neck.

Hmm.

You're a cute sort of a guy.

You know, if I weren't married to you

I'd make an awful try to get you.

I surrendered once and for keeps.

- So long, shorty. - Happy landings.

Take care of my wife for me.

It's alright.

- How do you feel? - Oh, uh, pretty good.

I wish I did.

Well, she'll be here when you get back, Matt.

That's the only thing I'm sure of.

The closer this stuff gets to its delivery point

the more my first thoughts come back to me.

I can't help but wonder if we're right.

So that's in again, huh?

It isn't easy to kill thousands of people

when all you really wanna do is make it easier

for millions to live.

I like the way you dream.

We're ready except for the cargo, colonel.

We're carrying the cargo.

Why they want a physicist in the far Pacific

I'll never know.

This war is full of secrets.

I have a secret from him too.

I can't help wondering if it really will be twins.

I wish I'd never heard of the Espionage Act.

- Hmm? - Nothing.

Another raid like that and I'll really be flak-happy.

Another raid like that and Hap Arnold

can have my flying suit.

Comfortable, boys?

Don't you birds ever take the air?

Quiet. Don't shout at our superchair heroes.

- Oh-ho. - Look at that.

What are you hiding in the building?

- Yeah. - Geisha girls.

What did you think?

Well, I do declare, here comes the first team.

Boys, why don't you get off your doves?

Are you on a sit-down strike?

They're saving us for the junior prom, kids.

[laughing]

Colonel, may I have the first dance?

- Do you rumba? - Well, move on, boys.

You're depreciating the value of our real estate.

Jeff, Matt, Parsons, Tibbets.

Well, the weather looks good for the next three days.

Headquarters has given us the green light.

Good. I'd set our time as tomorrow, August 6th.

I'll let you know exactly what time

to start assembling the bomb.

Right.

Uh, you'll ride as observer for the army.

- Thank you, sir. - Parsons.

You'll go along to check the release mechanism

and as seeing eye for the navy.

Aye, sir.

And you and I'll stay here

and bite our nails.

Well, there have been several takeoff crack-ups lately.

If that happens to us, we'll wipe out 40,000

American troops instead of our target.

Well, that's a chance we'll have to take.

Well, we could leave a few parts out of the assembled bomb

and I could put them in place after the takeoff.

Oh, I know enough to help.

If you think it best, sir, I'd be glad to go along.

Thanks, I don't believe we should send a civilian

on a combat mission.

This game's a good one if they can learn the job in time.

- Do what you can. - Check.

Remember on the plane, you'll have to fit

that bolt into place.

Insert the two lock pins, make four connections.

One, two.

Three, four.

[sighs]

It's like separating salt from pepper with boxing gloves.

As you work, make sure the parts of explosive material

which will be down there never come together.

There'll be curtains, but quick.

How does this look, teacher?

- You've got it. - Good.

One, two.

Three, four.

[sighs]

I'm gonna carry that on my lap on the takeoff.

It's in your laps, alright.

Uh, is it U-235 or plutonium?

Only a few people know that. They won't tell.

Well, I'm sure it won't make any difference to the Japs, anyway.

I'll brief you at midnight. Come on, fellas.

You won't need me, sir. I'll stay and work on the bomb.

Oh, in order to, uh, decrease chances of interception

only three planes will be used, no fighter escort.

The Japs may assume we're weather planes

or leaflet droppers.

'Jap collision fliers will not be healthy'

'for the bomb carrying plane'

'or any plane near it.'

'Two extra B-29s carry observers'

'equipment for measuring the blast and photographers.'

Do not fly straight after release.

The blast will blow you to bits. The shockwave will be rough.

Make your turn and get out of there.

Under no circumstances

fly through the smoke from the explosion.

It's sure death.

This mission quite nicely is a years training

during which you blindly obeyed orders and said nothing.

This is about what you'll see tomorrow.

Alright, run it.

[explosion]

[indistinct chatter]

Alright, that's enough.

Bomb assembly time is 0300.

Takeoff time, 0345.

That's it.

[indistinct chatter]

[dramatic music]

[beeping]

[groans]

[dramatic music]

Matt, we gotta get you to the doctor.

I'm afraid it's too late for that.

- How did it happen? - Accident.

Well, it's a wonder the whole place didn't go up.

Maybe this is what I get for helping build the thing.

Come on, Matt.

Sergeant, ask Captain Parsons to take over.

Yes, sir.

I want you to promise me to see Anne.

Of course, I'll see Anne.

Oh, you're a lucky guy, Jeff.

Give her this letter.

And be sure she gets it.

There are things in it I've been wanting to say to her

for a long time.

Important things.

Things I couldn't say before because of secrecy..

...and because I wasn't sure how I really felt.

Cochran has a very bad hand, doctor.

He burned it working on the bomb.

Severe neutron exposure and radioactivity burns.

Direct contact.

Reaction beginning to set in.

I think I'm gonna faint.

Well, i-isn't there anything you can do?

He'll be dead tomorrow.

Let's bow our heads.

Oh, Lord of hosts, show Thy gracious love and care

to those who fly this night.

Bear them up in Thy wings as Thou hast, Thy host of all.

Give them strength and courage.

Keep them safe in body and soul

and bring them safely home again.

'May they know Thou art with them as they walk'

'through their valley of death.'

'May they know that all of us are in Thy care'

'now and forever.'

'The glory of Thy name'

and to the coming of peace upon the Earth again.

Amen.

(all) Amen.

[dramatic music]

Sir, about Matt, don't send the usual cable, please.

I think I ought to tell his wife about it myself.

I'll arrange that.

You better take care of this till I get back.

- Good luck, Jeff - Thank you, sir.

Good luck, Parsons.

- Ready to start engines. - Ready, sir.

Starting number 1.

Starting 1, sir.

[engine starts]

- 'Starting number 4.' - 'Starting 4, sir.'

[whirring]

Ready for takeoff.

Ready for takeoff.

Can we go, sir?

[dramatic music]

Airspeed 65.

'Airspeed 75.'

Airspeed 85.

- Up. - 'Airspeed 95.'

(male #3) 'Airspeed 105.'

Up! Up!

Up!

(male #3) 'Airspeed 120.'

Gear up.

Gear's coming up.

I feel like I lifted that baby myself.

Pardon me, sir, but what's in that black box?

Well, it's a new sort of metal.

- Sergeant. - Yes, sir.

As you've been briefed when we started working

on the bomb, watch that counter.

Yes, sir.

Remember don't take your eyes off it

until we have dropped the bomb.

Yes, sir.

If the red light starts flashing

brother, you start yelling

and we'll kick that bomb overboard fast.

Yes, sir. Don't worry about me.

I'll start yelling. I won't hold back.

Good.

[intense music]

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

[device whirring]

It's so cold up here, the parts don't fit.

Keep trying.

[airplanes droning]

Long Boy. Calling Long Boy.

You're getting out of range.

I say, have they finished..

[static]

I can't hear you.

Repeat. Have they finished?

They're still working on it, sir.

They say it's so cold up here, the parts don't fit.

Navigator to pilot.

We're 75 miles out, sir.

Roger. 75 miles out.

- Radio silence. - Roger, sir.

[static]

Long Boy. Calling Long Boy.

What was the rest of that message?

[static]

They're out of range.

[exhales]

[beeping]

Connections are all tight.

Your lane is over there.

We should be hearing soon. Stop worrying, general.

Who's worrying?

- Miss O'Leary? - Yes, general?

- Why don't you go home? - Why don't you, general?

Radio operator to pilot, our weather scout plane reports

Hiroshima visibility on limited.

Roger dodger.

Climbing for altitude.

Check your oxygen masks and cabin pressures.

- 2400 and 43. - Roger, sir.

Close your pressure doors.

Hit Hiroshima on the button at 8:15.

Pilot to crew, grease your faces.

Put on your special goggles.

ETA, 0815.

[radio beeping]

This is worse than having a baby.

And I've had six.

There it is. Hiroshima!

[explosions]

[explosions]

Two hundred and fifty thousand people down there

are starting their day.

City about the size of Dallas, Texas.

In about one second, it will be wiped off the map.

They'll never know what hit them.

We've been dropping warning leaflets on them

for ten days now.

That's ten days more warning

than they gave us at Pearl Harbor.

On target. Bomb door's coming open.

Bomb bay door is open.

Bomb away!

[dramatic music]

[explosion]

[clanking]

I'm gonna go back and take a look.

[intense music]

Now I understand what Matt feared.

If ever there is another war

it won't be cities burning themselves one at a time

but the whole world on fire

eating itself to ashes.

Let's get out of here.

Feel like we're over a dead world.

[explosion]

[radio beeping]

Come in, Long Boy.

"Hiroshima destroyed at 0815.

Enroute Tinian."

What is it?

"Line five, color red. Line one, color green."

- Hey! - What happened?

- What is it? What is-- - It worked.

It worked perfectly.

Three years' work by a million people day and night.

Worrying, sweating.

[sighs] At last.

Oh, Jean, are you sure Matt's on the plane?

I only know that Jeff's name was on the passenger list

and one civilian. It must be Matt, darling.

Oh, I hope so.

- Hello, general. - Jeff.

You did a fine job out there, Jeff.

Thank you.

I brought you a couple of chickens for dinner.

Well, full colonel, huh?

- That's a lot of rank. - You've earned it.

But I don't envy you of the job ahead.

I'm sorry, Anne.

You better get her out of here. Use my car.

Thank you, general.

[instrumental music]

You have something terrible to tell me.

That's why you brought me here.

Sit down, Anne.

Something happened while Matt was working on the bomb.

He saved it from going off.

Forty thousand Americans are alive on Tinian today

because of Matt.

But he isn't.

Oh, no.

[sobbing] No.

Anne, this is from Matt.

You may wanna wait until you get home.

No, I..

It should be read here.

[sobbing]

Please read it for me.

"Dear mom, you and your secrets.

"It was nice of you to keep me from knowing about our baby..

[sobs]

"...so I wouldn't worry while I was in the Pacific.

'"You should learn not to talk in your sleep.'

'"He'll be a fine boy, Anne.'

'"Gentle and kind and full of health.'

'"Please keep me from spoiling him.'

"By the time you read this, Hiroshima will have told you

"why I went to the Pacific.

"I know you'll be shocked when you learn about the bomb.

"From the first, I've had my doubts

"whether man could ever learn to use this terrifying force

"for good instead of evil.

'"The dark threat of future atomic war'

'"which can destroy civilization'

"unless men learn to live together.

"This struggle with myself has made me write this letter

which is the voice of my conscience."

(Matt) We stand now where the early savages stood.

When they ceased running away from fire

and began to use it well.

If those primitives learned to use fire

we have an enlightened century that can learn to use

atomic energy constructively.

God has not shown us any way to destroy ourselves.

Atomic energy is the hand He has extended

to lift us from the ruins of war

and lighten the burdens of peace.

Anne, you and our boy will see the day

when the atoms in a cup of water

will heat and light your home.

When the power on a pasteboard railroad ticket

will drive trains across great continents.

When the energy in a blade of grass

will send planes to distant lands.

We have found a path so filled with promise

that when we walk down it, we won't know

that everything that went before

the discovery of atomic energy

was the Dark Ages.

In the past, man has fought useless war.

Hunger and pain, has often been vile.

Yet stubbornly

you stumbled out of the chaos

with the desires of going on to make a better world.

Now in the gravest hour of life on Earth

he has found the secret of the power of the universe.

You're the giver of a new life.

Must know that what we've unleashed is not the end.

With all my love, I tell you this, shorty

men will learn to use this new knowledge well.

They won't fail.

For this is the timeless moment

that gives us all a chance to prove

that human beings are made

in the image and likeness of God.

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]