All language subtitles for Oppenheimer 106.en

— Through another party?
— Yes,

— Could we know who?
— I think that would be a mistake,

I'll tell you for what reason,

Not to take this person to task in any way...

The Trinity test and the subsequent devastation
of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

had had a profound effect on Oppenheimer

At the end of the war, he had become one of
the most influential of government scientists,

and he had used that influence in attempts

to promote international control
of nuclear weapons.

The attempt was largely unsuccessful

but at home he had then tried to resist
the growth of an all—out arms race,

and the development of the H—bomb.

in doing so, in spite of his strong position

as chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission’s
advisory committee,

and as director of the institute
forAdvanced Study at Princeton,

he had made powerful enemies.

And in the late ’405, the Cold War
and the growing mood of anti—communism

made those with past left—wing associations
increasingly vulnerable.

Some of his students had been summoned

before the House Un—American Activities
Committee,

which was investigating
alleged communist penetration

of the Wartime Weapons Project at Berkeley

On the 7th of june, 7949,

Oppenheimer himself was summoned before
a closed session of the committee.

With him, acting as adviser, was the chief
counsel for the Atomic Energy Commission,

Joseph Volpe.

The committee would wish me to emphasize
in asking you to attend,

it is not seeking to embarrass a man
of your stature

whose record of Loyalty
has been vouched for many times.

As you can see,
we've made this a closed session

in order to prevent any unfortunate publicity.

Now, Doctor,
you're probably acquainted with the case

involving George Charles Eltenton
and Haakon Chevalier.

I'm familiar with some aspects of it.

Yes. Well, would you tell the committee
just what you know?

It was, I think, the end of '42,
the beginning of '43,

that a friend of mine, Haakon Chevalier,
in a conversation at my home in Berkeley,

mentioned a man named Eltenton,

who had said he had means of
communicating with the Soviet government.

Dr. Chevalier was clearly embarrassed
and confused

and I told him in the most violent terms
not to have anything to do with it.

I should emphasize that Chevalier
didn't ask me for any information.

I see. Now, this Chevalier...

were you at all acquainted with his views
on communism?

Well, I know he had contacts
with all kinds of radical organizations.

He was interested in left—wing writers
but this was all in the pre—war days.

Dr. Oppenheimer, may I ask, did you report
this conversation with Chevalier

to any security officers?

I did. First to the security officers at Berkeley,

second to Colonel Lansdale,

and third to General Groves.

Thank you, sir.

N ow, Docto r,

I realize that this will be difficult for you

but I would like to ask you questions
concerning your brother Frank Oppenheimer.

Is he, in your knowledge,
currently a member of the Communist Party?

To the best of my knowledge he is not.

Has he ever been a member of
the Communist Party?

Mr. Chairman, I ask you not to pursue
these questions about my brother.

If they're important to you, you can ask him.

I will answer if asked
but I beg you not to press these questions.

I withdraw the question.
And I think, Dr. Oppenheimer,

that is all the questions I have to ask you.

Before we adjourn, I would like to say,
and I think this is the sense of all of us here,

I have noted for some time
the work done by Dr. Oppenheimer,

and I think we've all been
tremendously impressed by him,

and are mighty glad to have him in the position
he has in our atomic program.

Thank you.

— How did I do, Joe?
— Beautiful, beautiful.

Nice words from the congressman —
useful guy to have in our corner.

What corner?

— We did all right.
— We did.

— You're one fish they're afraid to fly
— What?

It's still a lousy thing. You know, in England
they'd be giving you a knighthood. Here...

— Come and have lunch with me.
— I can't. I'm meeting my wife.

— I've got to go straight to a GAC meeting.
— Tough one?

Strauss. The continuing saga
of the radioisotopes.

— Chapter 99.
— What's his beef?

He's got the security bug clamped down
on everything no matter how ridiculous.

Be nice to Strauss, Robert.
He's an important man.

All right. So are you. But take it easy.

Right?

Sure.

Thanks.

My pleasure.

— Was it rough?
— No.

— They were gentlemen.
— It's a goddamn nerye.

— One of them even gave a little speech.
— Terrific. Can we go up to Princeton now?

I have the AEC meeting.

Four hours listening to Lewis Strauss.

You got anything to do?

The shopping.

What for?

Sheets.

We need sheets?

I've no idea.

I was just thinking...

Lewis Strauss.

And what is more, gentlemen,
I have secret classified information

that at least one of the Norwegians
to whom we are shipping these radioisotopes

is an open member of the Communist Party.

— Humph!
— All right, Robert, you can laugh.

I was thinking it's bad enough
the guy's a foreigner.

— (Laughter)
— (Strauss) I am not being taken seriously.

Admiral, we scientists have tried to explain...

Please don't patronize me, Dr. Rabi.

These radioisotopes are of
no earthly military use whatsoever.

They're used in medicine, industly,
it's ridiculous making this fuss.

(Oppenheimer) Gentlemen...

Lewis, I don't suppose
we've managed to calm your fears at all.

You have not.

I didn't think so. But you know,
the Atomic Energy Commission

has been exporting these radioisotopes
for two years now without any problem.

I can't help thinking
you're beating a very dead horse.

It may be dead, but it won't lie down.

I've decided to have this entire matter aired
before the joint Committee on Atomic Energy.

Robert, as chairman of this
general advisory committee,

I've asked that you be subpoenaed
to appear before it.

May I ask when I might be expected to attend?

You certainly may.
Thursday morning at 11 o'clock.

— Now, if there's no further business.
— No, that's it.

Good day, gentlemen.

Now you know why we made you chairman.

All through the war I had to baby Groves along,
now it's Strauss. There's no end to it.

— You've got to suffer fools gladly, Oppie.
— I'm suffering.

It's the same day Frank goes before
the Un—American Activities Committee.

The brothers Oppenheimer.

What a circus.

Now, your contention, Dr. Oppenheimer,
is that with these, erm...

these...radioisotopes...

Erm...

just exactly what is a radioisotope?

Very simply,
it's the product of a nuclear reactor.

I see. Nuclear reactor.

And your contention
is that there is no danger to national security

in sending these isotopes abroad.

Yes.

And you would characterize such fears as, uh...

— Foolish.
— (Shocked murmurs)

Foolish.

Doctor, would you care to tell the committee

what use these radioisotopes would have
to the people we're sending them to?

(Oppenheimer) They are research tools.

Medical research, industrial, scientific.

Could they be used by a foreign government
to create atomic energy?

No one can force me to say that you cannot use
these isotopes to produce atomic energy.

You can use a shovel to produce atomic energy,
in fact you do.

You can use a bottle of beer for atomic energy.

But to suggest that to export
these radioisotopes

would somehow encourage foreign governments

to start manufacturing atom bombs
in their back yards...

(Laughter)

Well, Doctor, for the record,

just what, in your view, is the precise
strategic military value of these isotopes?

In my view...

radioisotopes are somewhat less important
strategically than electronic devices

and somewhat more important
than a bottle of vitamin pills.

Well... Well, I think that's all, Doctor.
Thank you for attending.

— (Bangs gavel)
— Meeting adjourned. We'll resume at 2:30.

— How did I do this time?
— Too well, Robert, too well.

I get tired of playing games with them.

— I wonder how Frank's doing.
— Better than this, I hope.

Professor Oppenheimer.

I remind you that you are on oath.

Yes, sir.

Do you understand that?

I do.

Frank Friedman Oppenheimer.

Are you a member of the Communist Party?

No, sir.

Have you ever been a member
of the Communist Party?

Yes, sir.

I didn't hear that.

Yes.

I was...

a member.

— Here they come.
— Here they come.

Hey, Frank, are you a Communist?

Are you a Communist?

Let us through!

Can you tell us about leaving
the University of Minnesota?

You didn't know, Frank?
They've accepted your resignation.

— Tell us your side of the stony.
— (All asking questions)

They really stuck it into you.

— This makes things very difficult for Robert.
— I don't believe I heard that.

It's going to be kind of difficult for us, Kitty.

It's Frank's fault. He was asked if
he was a Communist two years ago, he lied.

— That's why they dumped on him this time.
— jesus Christ!

— This could threaten Robert's position.
— It's already destroyed Frank's.

I'm not talking about a professorship.

Kitty, there's one thing
I always wanted to say to you...

jacky.

Let's not bicker.

Let's go see the children, Kitty.

I hope it doesn't do you any harm.

I should have done more for you.

Oh, well...what could you do?

I don't know.

— Talk to some people.
— No. You couldn't risk your position.

Are you gonna be able to get another job?

— What do you think?
— What are you gonna do?

We thought we'd get a place out west.

— Raise sheep.
— Frank, you're a physicist.

Not any more.

When they were working me over,

that committee...

I suddenly felt glad.

I felt relieved. It was over.

They'd finally caught up with me.

I don't have to worry any more.

(Sobs)

On B29, regular reconnaissance flight,
sea of japan.

This is the sample analysis.

Sorry I'm late, General, Robbie, Oppie.

— Hi, Bob.
— What have we got?

We set up more flights immediately.

Here we picked up ten times the count rate
of the original. Here 19 times, here 13.

These are the filter papers.

(Geiger counter crackles)

Something's coming on the teletype.

Nothing new. More readings about the same.

There's no doubt, is there?

We wondered if it was possible traces
from one of ours.

— No. This is significant radioactivity.
— In the wrong place.

Where exactly was it?

The sea of japan, day before yesterday.

If these were taken 36 hours ago, that would
put the test four, five days before that.

— About that.
— We figured.

— The president's been informed?
— Through Admiral Strauss.

— Is your business in Washington important?
— It can wait.

— Come back to Princeton.
— Sure.

Thank you, General.

— I'll stick with it here, Oppie.
— Thanks.

— These were picked up here?
— Right.

We knew the Russians
would get the bomb someday.

Not this soon.

We knew they had the know—how
to build a bomb.

Evidently they've got the industrial capacity
as well.

— We shouldn't be so surprised.
— It's not us I'm worried about.

Who?

The president, the Congress,
the whole countly

There could be a panic over this.
They thought they'd have a monopoly for years.

Well, they did. Four years.

It's this damn secrecy mania.
No informed debate.

Take it easy.

Panic and ignorance,
it's a great combination.

(Telephone)

Yes?

This is he.

No, it's not a rumor. Yeah. Confirmed.

Edward, I haven't had a chance to consider...

No.

Look, just keep your shirt on.

No.

No.

OK.

Bye.

Teller? He knows?

Yeah.

— Very excited.
— Of course. This is his big opportunity.

His first words were did I think this
justified a crash program on the super?

— I told him...
— I heard you. "Keep your shirt on."

Fat chance.

— Good of you to come, Dr. Teller.
— Thank you.

— The Secretary of the Air Force.
— Pleased to meet you.

— How do you do?
— Senator Knowland.

— How are you?
— Nice to meet you.

Find yourself a chair, Dr. Teller.

I thought it would be good
in the light of the present emergency

for us to meet together informally,

get the benefit of
Dr. Teller's advice and expertise.

I could certainly use some.
This Russian test has knocked me sideways.

I have mail from my constituents,
I've never seen so much. They're frightened.

I'm sure we all agree the Russian move
demands a swift, firm response.

All right, a response.
But what kind of a response? What can we do?

Doctor?

There is no question in my mind...

we must immediately move towards
a massive effort to develop the hydrogen.

Mm—hm.

Now, this hydrogen,
this is the superbomb, is it?

It is called that too.

All right. Now, Doctor, can you give me some
idea of this thing? What is it? How does it work?

Now, look, if we're being asked to vote
appropriations in the Senate for this thing,

it would help if we knew what the hell it was.

Well, I think we're into the matter of
classified information here, Bill.

(Sighs) All right,
but at least give me some idea.

What's the scale of these hydrogen bombs?
Bigger than the atomic, I guess.

— Yes, of course.
— Well, how much bigger? Ten times?

Twenty?

(Laughs) Fifty?

A hundred?

Are you telling me these things are 100 times
more powerful than the atomic bomb?

Than the Hiroshima bomb?

Yes, certainly.

We can see no limit to the potential
destructive power of the hydrogen.

That's not for general circulation, Bill.

But good God! What if the Russians
got hold of one of these things?

— And we don't.
— Right.

All right. I'm convinced. We need this. Pronto.

Well, what's the problem? Let's get at it.

Well, it's not as simple as all that, Bill.

You see, first it has to go before
the AEC's General Advisory Committee.

And they would make a recommendation
to the president.

That's the Oppenheimer committee, is it?

The GAC contains several equally distinguished
scientists — Rabi, Fermi, Manley.

Oh, come now, Dr. Teller, Oppie runs it.

Well, where does he stand on this?

Lewis?

Doctor?

One is never quite sure where Oppie stands.

Is this all that's gonna be here?

— I think Fermi's coming.
— How about Seaborg?

— He had to go to Sweden.
— So we don't know his views?

He sent a letter. I've been trying to find it.

— I'm sorly
— Fermi.

I'm sorly, gentlemen.

I've been trying to find it.
As I recall, it wasn't particularly helpful.

Gentlemen.
As chairman of the General Advisory Committee,

I've been asked by the AEC commissioners

to obtain the committee's views on whether
or not in the light of the Soviet atomic test

our country should embark
on a crash program

leading directly to the production
of a super or hydrogen bomb.

It's a lousy subject and a lousy job
but we've got to do it.

Right. Let's start by discussing
the present status of the super.

If we go for a crash program,
what are the chances of success?

— Enrico?
— Present status?

I've looked at Teller's recent work
and I'm unimpressed.

The design is unwieldy, possibly grotesque.
Chances of success I put no better than 50%.

With the design they're working on now,
there's a real problem with delively.

I've no idea how they plan to get it to a target.

— No plane on earth could lift it.
— Rockets?

It's a monstrous contraption.
The refrigeration system is gigantic.

Absurd. We're being asked to divert resources
from a successful weapons program,

to feed some project
we don't even know has a chance.

OK, OK. But the commissioners feel
and the president feels,

and I guess I feelthat there
should be some response to the Soviet test.

All right, Oppie, but there's an appropriate
response and there's a hysterical response,

and I just resent Teller's trying to stampede us
into his pet project.

I hear he's been seen in Washington lately.

Talking to the joint chiefs, hustling round
the Senate, doing quite a bit of marketing.

All right, john. But it's not just Teller,
there's Lawrence, Lewis...

All right, all those Californians.

I believe there should be a response. I think
we should beef up our fission bomb program.

We're way ahead of the Russians there,
we can stay way ahead

with weapons we know about what we're doing
and know we can deliver them.

What are we going to do with a hydrogen bomb
even if we got one?

— Do we all know the capability?
— If it works, they're talking of a megaton.

We've already got a 500,000 ton fission bomb
in the works, how big do we need to get?

What's the target for a megaton bomb,
is there a city that big in the USSR?

— Moscow? Leningrad?
— I think Leningrad's too small.

Leningrad and suburbs.

The truth is, the goddamn truth is,

that we're the ones with the really tempting
targets for a superbomb, not them.

New York, Chicago, Los Angeles.
just think what Teller could do to LA.

— What are you saying?
— What I'm saying is,

I think for our own safety, we should be
awfully careful about giving the lead here.

The Russians built an A—bomb
because we built one. If we build a hydrogen...

Is the converse true?

If we refrain deliberately from building
the hydrogen bomb,

will the Russians be encouraged to also refrain?

I think they'd like to refrain.
It must have broken them to get an A—bomb,

I can't believe they'd want to get into the kind
of spending it would take to make a super.

But will they refrain?

If we set an example?

It's unknown territony.

There's an area we haven't gone into either.

I don't know whether you'll want to
get into the...morality of this thing.

We all of us had something to do
with the creation of the atom bomb,

some more than others.

As I recall, the question of morality
wasn't raised much before Hiroshima.

It was wartime.

It was...

Anyway, I wouldn't like to think
that it was passed over this time.

Perhaps it's inappropriate.

Enrico?

I'm sorly, I was, erm...

I was with your last question,
would the Russians refrain?

You all know I have very little faith
in the good intentions of the Soviet, but I....

I hate the idea of this weapon.

It's wrong.

It's inhuman, it's evil.

You know, when I was in California last
I heard a new word — megadeath.

One million human lives.

They talk of a one megadeath bomb, two...

I would never want to see this country involved
in initiating building such a vile weapon.

It may be foolishly optimistic

but if there is a chance that by not building
this thing we can influence the Russians,

I would rather take that gamble.

Rather that than megadeath.

Then the feeling of the meeting is that we
should not recommend the crash program?

Right.

I'm glad. If it had gone the other way
I would have had to have resigned as chairman.

It won't be a popular recommendation, Oppie.

It's incredible. Absolutely incredible.

I cannot understand how intelligent men
could put their names to a thing like this.

"In determining not to proceed to develop
the superbomb,

"we see a unique opportunity
of providing by example,

"some limitations on the totality of war,

"and thus of limiting the fear
and arousing the hopes of mankind."

I'd like to see Uncle joe's face
when he reads that. And he will.

Well, I guess it's idealism.

I hope it's idealism.

— Careful, David.
— Well, what do you think?

Well, I think they've got no guts.

I think they enjoy playing at being saints,

I think they're ageing men who have had
their day and I don't think anything else.

My God, if the Russians build a super
and we haven't got one...

We will. I intend to fight this all the way.

You're just one commissioner.
What about the others?

I don't know.

Well, you've got one ally at least.

— The Air Force?
— All the way.

— Well, at least the language is pretty.
— Oppenheimer?

— Who else?
— (Knocking)

Ah, Bill. Nice to see you. Here are two fellas
who really ought to know each other.

David Griggs, scientific adviser to the Air Force,
Bill Borden, Staff Director, joint Atomic Energy.

— That's a fine committee.
— I think we're realists.

Praise be.

— I must go, Lewis.
— Keep in touch.

I will.

— I'm afraid I interrupted you.
— Oh.

The cares of an AEC commissioner.

I'm not quite sure how I can help you,
Mr. Borden.

Well, sir, ever since Mr. Truman called for
a greater tightening up of security procedures,

it's seemed to me that this is an area
I've neglected for too long.

I see.

Well, naturally I'm all in favor.

But I would like to think that here at the AEC
we run a pretty tight ship on the whole.

But presumably you have your quota
of sensitive cases?

Yes, one or two.

I'd hoped I could count on your cooperation,
Mr. Strauss.

You've got it, you've got it.
I was only wondering where you should begin.

Well, why not at the top?

— I'm sorly?
— You know Robert Oppenheimer?

I saw him when he appeared
before our committee. I was impressed.

Yes, he is impressive, isn't he?

I have a great deal of respect for Robert.

And he's a close personalfriend. I got him his
job at Princeton, you know. Remarkable man.

Are you saying he's a sensitive case?

Well, yes, there is a file on Robert.

He had, erm...quite a few unfortunate
associations back before the war.

— But he's been cleared on those, presumably?
— Surely. Many times.

Perhaps he wouldn't interest you after all.

No, I think he might.

It would be somewhere to start, anyway.

— Why don't I have his file sent up here?
— I couldn't ask you to do that, sir.

It doesn't matter.
I don't use this office very often. Feel free.

I've asked a colleague to help me on this.

That's quite all right. We like to cooperate
with the Congress here at the AEC.

As a matter of fact,
you might start right there.

That's the General Advisory Committee's
recommendations on the hydrogen bomb.

Uh... Oppenheimer is the chairman.

(Knocking)

I hear we locked into an office.

They're sending Robert Oppenheimer's file up.

I'd like you to read that.

That's some file.

— I've heard enough!
— Yes, Mummy?

— Yes, all right. Into the kitchen.
— Can I have a cookie?

— Hello, joe.
— Or two.

— What is it? What's going on?
— A cookie.

Go upstairs.

— Upstairs.
— But it's the middle of the afternoon.

You can go into your rooms and play.
You've got plenty of toys. Go on.

— Go!
— But...

But...

What is it?

— It's confidential.
— Cut that shit out, Robert.

Do you remember Klaus Fuchs?

Los Alamos.

The baby—sitter? What about him?

He's been arrested in England.
He's a Soviet spy.

Oh, jesus.

Oh, well, they can't hang that on you.
Well, the British brought him over, not you.

Oh, yeah, anyway, the Russians have got
the atom bomb now, so it's just spilt milk.

He was present for the early discussions
on the hydrogen bomb.

What does that mean?

I'd say it meant the ball game.

On the 57st of january, 7950,
four days after the arrest of Klaus Fuchs,

President 7'ruman gave the go—ahead to a crash
program for building the hydrogen bomb.

The advice of the General Advisory Committee
had been ignored,

and Oppenheimer’s fame
as father of the A —bomb

made him the most prominent target

for continuing attacks from the victorious
supporters of the hydrogen program.

An opportunity to celebrate their triumph

came when a birthday party was held
at the AEC for Commissioner lewis Strauss.

— Lewis.
— And to the super.

(All) The super.

— How many times are we gonna hear that?
— At least they could sing it on key.

I think if I have to listen to any more of this,
I'm gonna be sick.

No, I mean it, Kitty. Makes me wanna throw up.
I'm going. Coming, john?

OK.

— Oppie?
— Not yet.

You're a masochist, you know that?

— Bye, Kitty.
— Bye, Bob.

— Bye, john.
— Take care of yourself.

Doctor.

— No hard feelings I hope?
— I'm sorly?

The verdict went against you, Doctor, but I hope
someday you'll see it was for the best.

I don't think you've met my wife Kitty.
The Secretary of the Air Force, Mr Finletter.

— Hello.
— How do you do, Mrs. Oppenheimer?

Well, we've had quite a battle
with your husband here

but I hope now we can all get together
behind the president.

— The Commander—in—Chief has spoken, Doctor.
— So he has.

What's your response?

I guess there can only be one response,
Mr. Secretaly.

Yes?

Morituri, te salutamus.

Yes.

Well...

That's it.

One day you're gonna wisecrack us
right over the edge.

Keep your voice down.

We who are about to die, salute you.

— It's what the gladiators said.
— Son of a bitch!

— (TV) My answer to these charges...
— (Doorbell)

..is short, simple and direct

I am not and never have been disloyal,

— I am not and never have been a Communist..
— (Doorbell)

— I am not and never have been...
— Open the door.

I am not and never have been a supporter of
a member of

or a sympathizer with any organization

known to me to be, or suspected by me as
being controlled or dominated by Communists.

Thank you, Kitty.

(Singing on TV)

# ..and we just love ourjoe

# Nobody called McCarthy but the people... #

Such nonsense.

— You're not a fan of joe McCarthy's, Edward?
— No, I'm not.

— Thank you for seeing me.
— You're always welcome.

— You know why I'm out here.
— You're here recruiting for Los Alamos.

I remember doing that myself back in '43.

Help me. Recommend some good people.

— Oh, sure.
— Oh, sure?

— I'll recommend some people.
— But you won't encourage them to come?

I'll tell them you pay well, the climate's good.

At least you won't discourage them this time.

When have I ever discouraged anybody?

— Bethe.
— Hans? I don't follow you.

Hans and I came here just after the Soviet test.

He had promised to work with me on the super.
Then he wouldn't come, he had talked to you.

— I don't remember that.
— You talked to him.

— I may have. What of it?
— So you discouraged him.

I may have expressed an opinion. What of it?

He's a grown man,
he can make up his own mind.

You see, here's my problem with you, Oppie.

I know I'm right.

There's no question. We have to develop
the hydrogen, any intelligent man can see that.

— You are an intelligent man, so why don't you?
— It's possible for two grown men...

High school ethics.
I'm talking about life and death of nations.

— I'm aware of that.
— So how can you be so wrong?

Did you really believe that
if we didn't build the super,

we could shame the Russians out of doing it?

I thought it was worth trying.

And you weren't afraid.

Did you ever talk to George Kennan?
Interesting man, knows a lot about the Soviets.

He says the Russians are deathly afraid
of total war after the last one.

If they have any plans for expansion, he says,
it won't be through great wars.

It will be gradual,
it will be by internal subversion

and small wars around the periphely

Africa.

Latin America.

Indo—China.

What I was afraid of,

what I am afraid of, is that we'll spend
all our resources on the hydrogen

and not have anything left to meet
any challenge short of total war.

We won't have any conventional forces,
any air defense, any tactical weapons.

We'll be able to bomb Moscow.

And do nothing else.

That's what I'm afraid of.

We could have both,
big weapons and little weapons.

— We could have both!
— Not with this thing you're working on.

It'll be insatiable.

And good God, Edward, it's a monster.

How are you ever going to deliver it?
In an ox cart?

You know that it's just a prototype.
We would improve on it.

— When?
— Now.

Now. Because things are happening out there.

But even if we could have both,

big weapons and small...

would you change your mind on the super?

I think it's evil.

High school ethics.

I don't understand you, Oppie.

You're not required to.

I should like to.

Oppie.

Come up to Los Alamos.

We should work together, you and I, we should.

— Look, we're the only people that really count.
— (Laughs) Oh, Edward!

It's true.

You won't come?

And you won't stop fighting us.

Will I keep my mouth shut?

No, I won't do that.

So when can we expect
the next pronouncement?

I am coming out to Los Alamos in the fall,

— just to give a talk.
— What's it about?

Educating the public on the government.

Oh, boy. You know, I can see what you want
is the whole United States

to become one big Oppenheimer seminar.

(Laughs) Everybody will be talking and arguing
and learning and having such a wonderful time

that we won't even notice when the Russians
beat us to the super by a mile.

(Oppenheimer)
You'd rather the public stuck to that?

(Teller) Oh, please.

(Teller sighs)

Look. Come out to Los Alamos early
and stay with us for a while.

I can't. I'm expected on the coast.

Project Vista?

Some people are still interested
in hearing my views.

Did you really mean it when you said
you'd improved on the super?

Yes. We've had a breakthrough
and I think this is the realthing.

Tell me.

(Laughs)

You know that I've been working with Stan Ulam
for months and we couldn't get anywhere?

We had our fusion mixture, deuterium—tritium,
and we had the fission trigger.

The problem was with the high energies
created during fission

because we knew it would blow up
the fusion system.

— Predetonation.
— Precisely.

It sounds familiar, doesn't it?
We tried to make it into a solid

and so avoid that vast refrigeration system
that I know appalled Fermi.

— Go ahead, Edward.
— Well, Oppie, it was so simple.

It was criminal we didn't see it before.

We had assumed that the energies created
in the fission would be transformed into heat,

which is a relatively slow process,
but it is not so.

Because at those temperatures,
most of the energies are emitted as X—rays.

— X...
— X—rays!

— Which travels at the speed of light.
— Quite fast enough to avoid predetonation.

As soon as we saw it,
just a question of basic math.

It's a most elegant,

efficient...

thermonuclear weapon.

That's beautiful.

Yes.

What I am calling for is greater candor.

We do not operate well
when the important facts,

the essential conditions which limit
and determine our choices are unknown.

We do not operate well when they are known
in secrecy and in fear by only a few men.

An example may illustrate what I mean.

A high officer of the air defense command
said only a few months ago

in a most serious discussion about
the continental defense of the United States,

that it was our policy to attempt to protect
our striking force

but that it was not really our policy
to attempt to protect this countly

For that is so big a job that it would interfere
with our retaliatory capabilities.

Such follies can occur

only when even the men who know the facts
can find no one to talk to about them,

when the facts are too secret for discussion
and thus for thought.

The prevailing view is that we are probably
faced with a long period of Cold War.

The atomic clock ticks faster.

Two great powers will each be in a position

to put an end to the civilization
and the life of the other,

though not without risking its own.

We may be likened to two scorpions in a bottle,
each capable of killing the other,

but only at the risk of his own life.

In this prospect, we shall need all the help
and wisdom and resourcefulness we can muster.

We need to be clear that there will not be
many great atomic wars for us,

nor for our institutions.

It is important that there not be one.

— I've got to see Finletter.
— Yes.

This can't go on.

If you're thinking of trying to bully Oppie,
you won't win.

There are other ways, David.

— That's it. Screw him.
— Tom, Tom, it's worth it.

It could be that a clear warning will do the job.
He has a right to that, you know.

It's worth five more minutes.

— Sony It's the traffic.
— Robert, it doesn't matter.

Now, Robert, I want your verdict on this.

You know, Robert is quite a connoisseur.

There you are.

Well?

Fine, fine.

Good.

Now, gentlemen,
this is an occasion I have long waited for.

It always saddens me when two men
who ought to be friends

are divided by day—to—day controversy.

Tom, Robert,

I can't help feeling that you two are the kind
of fellas that, given half a chance,

you just couldn't help liking each other.

Well, Doctor, I...

I certainly think it's time
we stopped throwing punches at each other.

I wasn't aware of throwing any punches.

The Vista Report was a pretty good shot.

I wrote the draft for one chapter of that report.

— Which tried to undermine SAC.
— I beg your pardon?

I thought I spoke clearly.

Which tried to undermine SAC.

I have infinite respect
for the Strategic Air Command.

Now you're sneering at it.

Please don't tell me what I'm thinking.

Gentlemen, gentlemen.
Robert, I think it's fair to say

that in the Air Force there is a feeling that SAC
didn't get a very fair shake from Vista.

The accent — I'm not saying this is
all your fault — is pretty much on air defense.

I happen to believe that as well as trying
to figure out ways to bomb Russian cities,

we also ought to spend
a little time and effort and money

trying to figure out ways
to prevent them from bombing ours.

I'm not the only person that thinks that.

It is not your first attempt to harm SAC.

— What else have I done?
— You tried to stop us getting the super.

I tried to prevent you from wasting time
on the original design.

Teller's new design — I don't quarrel with that.

I can't.

— It's too sweet.
— You've said the super's evil.

Do you think it's loveable?

All right, Doctor.
Now I'll tell you what's on my mind.

I have nothing against honest disagreement,

but I would urge you not to spend your time
peddling false rumors.

You'll have to explain that, Mr. Secretaly.

You made a speech at Los Alamos not long ago.

— With Mr. Griggs in the front row as I recall.
— Yes.

Now, he tells me it contained a story
suggesting

that it is not air force policy
to defend this country against enemy bombers.

Yes.

That's a lie, Doctor.

I don't think so.
I had it from an unimpeachable source.

It's a lie.

I'd go further. It's a treasonous lie.

Thank you, Lewis, for the wine.

(Finletter) Hmph!

Oh, Lewis. You were wrong.

I don't like him one bit.

Well, it can't go on.

— No.
— He's got to be stopped.

He'll be leaving the commission soon.
His term is up.

I mean, his influence has got to be stopped.

— You've got to stop this campaign...
— All right, Mr. Griggs.

You may not understand it,
but I have a point of view and I have a duty.

just who do you have a duty to?

What are you saying?

Go on, spit it out!
You think I'm pro—Russian, is that it?

Say it!

I wish I knew.

All right, Mr Griggs.

You like to pin labels on people.

Well, here's one for you.

I think you're paranoid.

It's the Chevalier business.

That's what gets me.

You have a guy who's asked by another guy
in time of war

to supply secret information
to a foreign government.

— Well, he reported it.
— Sure. Six months later.

Still, he reported it.

And the other guy was a good friend.

I can see where personal loyalties
would make you hesitate.

No, it's the later stuff that gets me.

All this moralizing about the H—bomb

and not a trace of it
when he was asked about the A—bomb.

— Now, what's the change?
— The A—bombs killed over 100,000 people.

That could change a man's mind
if he was the guy who made it.

No. I'll tell you what the change is.

It's the target.

The atom bomb was aimed at the Germans,
the japanese.

No problems, bombs away.

But the hydrogen...

(Sighs) Goes to Russia.

Not if Oppie can help it.

— What is this?
— Are you Dr. Oppenheimer?

Yes, I am and this is my home!

I have orders to remove all Atomic Energy
Commission files from your possession, sir,

for safekeeping.

Have you got that in writing?

Lewis Strauss.

I spoke to him this morning.

He said nothing.

He said nothing about this.

All right.

May I have my orders, ma'am?

I didn't volunteer for this duty, Doctor.

This is awful. Can't you call somebody?

— Don't worly.
— "Don't worly"!

So what's gonna happen to us?

What?

I don't know.

Nothing.

I don't know.

— Go upstairs.
— No.

In the winter of 7955,

the Oppenheimers were able to escape
the worsening atmosphere in the United States

by going to Europe.

After stopping in london to deliver
the BBC ’s Reith lectures,

Oppenheimer and Kitty had gone to Paris...

where his old Berkeley friend, Haakon Chevalier;
and his new wife were now living.

Oh, how thoughtful of you.

— (Kitty) Apologies for the wrapping.
— Oh, I love it.

— Oh! How lovely.
— That's magnificent.

Oh, look, darling.

— Where's that from?
— Virgin Islands.

I think it's mahogany.

I've been telling Carol about the famous salads
you used to mix at Berkeley.

God, they had everything.

Passion fruit, apricots, melons.

They looked so cool and inviting.

— Then you had a mouthful. Hot as hell.
— (Laughter)

— What did you put in those things, Robert?
— A little cayenne pepper, touch of gunpowder.

— Well, thank you both very much.
— Yes, thank you.

When you come back to Princeton, I'll mix you
something you'll never forget. Both of you.

That won't be soon.

What we hear about the situation over there.
It's unbelievable.

Yup.

I gather they're roasting you somewhat.

Christ. You even go to the hairdressers
and pick up a magazine,

inside some goddamn air force general
is taking Robert apart.

I remember when they used to be
full of ten ways to find a husband.

Now it's the guilty men in our government.

— That bad?
— Hideous.

(Oppenheimer)
But you're having your troubles too.

Oh, the endless saga.

I thought I'd be safe over here
working for UNESCO, but...

— I'm beginning to feel a cool breeze.
— From UNESCO?

Oh, the US Embassy.

And the way I get it is if I want to keep my job,

I have to renounce my citizenship.

I don't want to do that.

— Darling.
— Thank you.

Every now and again,
I have a friendly visit from the FBI.

(Sighs)

Still buzzing on about things that happened
back in the '305 and '40s.

Remember George Eltenton?

Well, they seem to think
there was a conspiracy.

Confusion to our enemies.

It's such an awful world.

I'll say.

It's an awful countly

Robert, do you have to go back?

You could be an honored man over here.
Un grand maitre.

I couldn't live outside the US.

Why not?

It's the center of the world.

What? You mean power, wealth?

I didn't think you cared about those things.

— Oh, you haven't known him the last ten years.
— Power...is very interesting.

— See what I mean?
— But I was thinking about science mostly.

When I was young,
we used to have to come over here.

This is where you got your real science,
this is where the masters were. Now...

the world comes to us.

We are the masters, I think that's great.

(Laughs) Oh, I tell you,
he's the most all American boy I know.

Living over here,
you understand how temporary it all is.

Sic transit gloria mundi.

(Sniggers)

All right, all right.

I mean, these people,
they...they had Napoleon once.

Now nine out of ten couldn't even tell you
the name of the newest prime minister.

— Earth shadows pass...
— (Kitty) Stop laughing at Haakon.

Look at him. He won't renounce his citizenship.

One more provocation for j. Edgar Hoover,
I swear...

— No, we've got to go back.
— You can't say you're looking forward to it.

Oh, God, no. We're not looking forward to it.

Well?

I think so. I think he's guilty.

It's funny.

After all that, I don't think he is.

— Not guilty?
— No.

I wish I felt the same.

I think he's arrogant,
I think his judgment is often faulty,

I think he's probably done a lot of harm...

but I don't think he's guilty.

— Did you read the latest FBI report?
— Yes.

— He goes to Paris. The first person he sees...
— Is Chevalier.

The man he says tried to persuade him
to commit treason.

I said I think he's arrogant. It was an arrogant
thing to do, he knows he's under suspicion.

But I still don't think he's guilty.

I do.

What are you saying exactly?

I'm saying...

that I think, on balance,

it is more probable than not,

that Robert Oppenheimer is a Soviet agent.

— Bill, you've gotta be careful.
— The British are riddled with them.

Can you tell me you think we're immune?

(Sighs)

Well, what are you gonna do about it?

You can't just sit on it.

I guess I'm gonna have to write a letter.

Well, I'll leave you to it.

William Borden sent his letter to FBI director;
j. Edgar Hoover.

In it, he accused Oppenheimer
of being in all probability a Soviet agent

In the tense atmosphere
created by McCarthyism,

these charges so alarmed
President Eisenhower

that he directed that ”a blank wall”
as he called it,

be put between Oppenheimer
and all secret information.

Unknown to Oppenheimer,
his security clearance was revoked,

only to be reinstated when Borden’s charges
had been fully and satisfactorily investigated