Oppenheimer features a crucial interaction between Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer but does not delve into the details of their first real-life encounter – here’s why. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer features a stellar cast, playing many real-world characters who were a significant part of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s narrative during and after the Manhattan Project. Since the Manhattan Project involved the research and development of nuclear weapons during World War II, many of Oppenheimer‘s characters are well-known scientists and physicists, most of whom were, in some shape or form, involved in the atomic bomb’s development.
Renowned physicist Albert Einstein, too, is among the many physicists from that era who show up in a brief but important role in Oppenheimer. Although Einstein was not directly involved in the atomic bomb’s development, the Christopher Nolan movie reveals how one of his interactions with Oppenheimer about the atomic bomb’s development had long-term implications. However, since Oppenheimer does not depict how Einstein and the titular figure met, it is hard not to be curious about the backstory behind their first encounter and subsequent relationship.
Oppenheimer Met Einstein In Real-Life In 1932
Their first interaction was at Cal Tech
Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer only portrays how the titular figure and Albert Einstein briefly discussed the atomic bomb’s future implications and how it could lead to a chain reaction of events, such as the escalation of the nuclear race between the US and the Soviet Union. However, long before the two physicists met during Oppenheimer’s tenure at the Manhattan Project, they first encountered one another at The California Institute of Technology. J. Robert Oppenheimer became an assistant professor in theoretical physics at Cal Tech (California Institute of Technology) in 1930 at age 26.
According to reports (via Einstein and Oppenheimer by Silvan S. Schweber), Einstein and Oppenheimer first crossed paths at Cal Tech when Einstein visited the institute in January 1932 during his worldwide tour from 1931-1932. Even after World War II, the two physicists were coworkers at Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study. While Oppenheimer was the institute’s director from 1947-66, Einstein was among the first few faculties to have worked there. Recounting his relationship with Einstein in a 1966 article “On Albert Einstein,” Oppenheimer also mentioned that he and Einstein were good friends before Einstein passed away in 1955.
Why Oppenheimer Couldn’t Show His & Einstein’s First Meeting
Oppenheimer’s timeline and subject did not allow it
Although Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer is a biopic, it does not walk viewers through every milestone of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s life. Instead, it primarily focuses on Oppenheimer’s role in the Manhattan Project and how his opposition to the hydrogen bomb’s development later led to the chain reaction of events he and Einstein had previously discussed. Since Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has a limited runtime, there is only so much it could have shown about the titular figure’s life. Therefore, since the details of the two physicists’ first encounter were not relevant to Oppenheimer‘s overarching storyline, the movie avoided showing it.
Did Oppenheimer Regret Creating The Atomic Bomb?
The conflicted response of Oppenheimer to his own atomic bomb was full of anxiety for the future but not so much personal regret for his invention.
How Close Oppenheimer & Einstein Were In Real Life
There was more to Oppenheimer and Einstein’s relationship than the movie reveals
Oppenheimer and Einstein were initially critical of each other’s works and scientific inclinations. While Oppenheimer was fascinated by quantum physics, Albert Einstein often expressed his disapproval of it. Owing to the differences in their opinions, the two never officially collaborated. However, Einstein was reportedly infuriated when he learned about Oppenheimer’s 1954 security hearing. Although Nolan’s Oppenheimer does not include Einstein in the aftermath of the hearing, he had even advised (via SF Gate) the physicist to “turn his back” on the United States if that is how the nation was rewarding him after his contributions during World War II.
Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer is a film by Christopher Nolan, which follows the theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man behind the atomic bomb. Cillian Murphy will play the titular role, with the story based on the book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.
- Release Date
- July 21, 2023
- Director
- Christopher Nolan
- Cast
- Cillian Murphy , Emily Blunt , Matt Damon , Robert Downey Jr. , Rami Malek , Florence Pugh
- Runtime
- 150 Minutes
- Writers
- Christopher Nolan
- Budget
- $100 Million
- Studio(s)
- Syncopy Inc. , Atlas Entertainment
- Distributor(s)
- Universal Pictures
