BBC 1980 Oppenheimer Mini Series

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SUMMARY

The 1980 BBC miniseries "Oppenheimer," featuring Sam Waterston as J. Robert Oppenheimer and David Suchet as Edward Teller, is currently available for streaming on Tubi. This eight-part series is noted for its compelling portrayal of Oppenheimer's character and the historical context surrounding the development of nuclear weapons. Viewers have praised Waterston's performance as deeply sensitive and Suchet's depiction of Teller as capturing his essence. The series is complemented by Jocelyn Pook's musical work, which incorporates samples of Oppenheimer's voice.

PREREQUISITES
  • Familiarity with the historical context of the Manhattan Project
  • Understanding of the portrayal of historical figures in film and television
  • Knowledge of the significance of the Trinity test in nuclear history
  • Awareness of the cultural impact of the "Bhagavad Gita" in relation to war
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical accuracy of the 1980 BBC miniseries "Oppenheimer"
  • Explore the impact of J. Robert Oppenheimer's quotes on modern discussions of nuclear ethics
  • Investigate Jocelyn Pook's musical contributions and their thematic relevance
  • Watch the recent film "Oppenheimer" for a contemporary interpretation of the subject
USEFUL FOR

Film enthusiasts, historians, and educators interested in the portrayal of historical events and figures in media, as well as those studying the ethical implications of nuclear weapons.

bob012345
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There is a 1980 BBC eight part miniseries called Oppenheimer streaming on Tubi ( free) starring Sam Waterston as Oppenheimer and David Suchet as Teller.
 
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bob012345 said:
There is a 1980 BBC eight part miniseries called Oppenheimer streaming on Tubi ( free) starring Sam Waterston as Oppenheimer and David Suchet as Teller.
Good information on a fascinating subject. I watched this series years ago on PBS. Although I have yet to see the recent movie "Oppenheimer", Sam Waterston's sensitive portrayal of Oppie lives as a truly great performance.

I watched the PBS series with university friends and roommates including a nurse who happened to be treating the actual Edward Teller at Stanford Medical Center. She thought David Suchet totally captured Teller's essence and urbanity.

Coincidentally. a sister PBS station was broadcasting an ambitious Indian production of the "Mahabharata" comprised, if memory serves, of over 70 episodes. I particularly enjoyed the "Bhagavad Ghita" chapters where Lord Vishnu taking on his aspect of a charioteer warns Prince Arjuna of the devastating finality of total war.

Oppie famously quotes this scripture while observing the first nuclear bomb detonation at Trinity in 1945. "Now I am become Death, destroyer of worlds.".

Here is composer Jocelyn Pook's rendition in her album 'Flood', sampling Oppie's voice from a recorded interview juxtaposed with Latin prayers and Arab laments. (Note: YouTube may insert a commercial.)
 
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