Hold on to your hats (preferably a natty porkpie of the 1940s type) as we go diving head first into Christopher Nolan's latest historical blockbuster, which we've both seen and thoroughly enjoyed. We discuss not only the movie but also the historical reality of Oppenheimer's life and work (the two broadly align in a manner that Randall Wallace would be appalled by). We also talk a bit about the subject of the atom bomb, its horrible little big brother, the hydrogen bomb, the horror of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (but also the case for Truman acting as he did), crises whence the world stood on the brink, the stark choices facing leaders and the terrible realities of life in the Cold War era and beyond. Don't worry, there are also jokes; Kenny supposes what it would have been like if David Baddiel had been allowed to cast the lead role, Alex attempts a woeful JFK impression (it is hard tbf), Nixon shows up to plan a very deadly Watergate in an alternative timeline. Classic cameos abound as stellar performances are turned in by Tommy Shelby, Iron Man, Florence Pugh, Newco Mary Poppins, Jason Bourne, the inimitable Gary Oldman, the fantastic Tom Conti and many others. The horrors of endless bureaucracy are also contemplated.
Something we don't mention in the podcast but probably should have; the land at Los Alamos had until 1942 been settled by homesteaders, most of whom were of Native and Hispanic descent and many of whom did not speak English. These people were dealt with unfairly, often 'selling' their property without full knowledge and without legal representation. In 2004, a $10million fund was set up to compensate the descendants of these homesteaders, following lengthy legal action. Left without a livelihood in the short term, many took jobs working at Los Alamos and were discriminated against. (Source: Atomic Heritage Foundation: 'Civilian Displacement: Los Alamos, NM' published Wednesday July 26, 2017)
Music is used on licence via Epidemic Sound.
You can email us with thoughts and suggestions for movies, or any questions you might like to ask, on: cinemaishistory@gmail.com
","author_name":"Kenneth Mackay "}