All language subtitles for The beginning or the end (1947).1080p.eng

[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]