# Oppenheimer (2023 Christopher Nolan film) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [July 21, 2023, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361 "2023-07-21T18:47:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Guapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@Guapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guapo)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/121 "2023-07-29T12:07:24Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Not sure why you would ask that from the film. As referenced above, Feynman’s wife was in the process of dying at the time. And Feynman long outlasted Oppy. Remember Challenger? There was a scene where they were lamenting Richard dying and they asked if he died of a broken heart because Oppie was sleeping with his wife. I didn’t catch which Richard that was. And doh, yes now I remember Feynman being alive well into the 80s. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/122 "2023-07-29T12:51:08Z")
IIRC correctly from American Prometheus, the translation is Oppenheimer’s alone, as he only ever read it in the original Sanskrit. I believe it was covered in the book and no further explanation was available. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/123 "2023-07-29T13:57:30Z")
We went to see it last weekend. Riviting perfoemances. Noticed the Scorrish actor Tom Conti in the credits and had to wait and watch the full listing to see that he had played Einstein! The IMAX screenings were sold out or not convenient so we went to an old fashioned cinema showing an actual 35mil film of it. As a 3 hour film this meant they had to change reels half way through (cinemas with one 35mm film projector are rare, let alone two to allow a continuous screening) so we got a very abrupt black screen followed by an interttitle screen advising that there was a 15 minute Interval. And it re-started just as abruptly! Last time we saw a film with an interval would have been new 70mm prints of either 2001 or Lawrence of Arabia! Now considering seeing it again on the local IMAX screen… ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/124 "2023-07-29T14:00:45Z")
> [@Guapo](#): > > There was a scene where they were lamenting Richard dying and they asked if he died of a broken heart because Oppie was sleeping with his wife. I didn’t catch which Richard that was. Kitty’s previous husband who she left for Oppy. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/125 "2023-07-29T14:03:35Z")
> [@steronz](#): > > IIRC correctly from American Prometheus, the translation is Oppenheimer’s alone I just saw the film since I posted about the translation and you are right. He was reciting it to his mistress from a Sanskrit edition. ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/126 "2023-07-29T16:04:50Z")
Finally saw it yesterday, but in standard 5/70mm format. I very much enjoyed it but I’m baffled what was gained by the formats, whether 15/70mm IMAX or not. It was essentially a 3 hour lecture. There wasn’t any spectacular color or spectacle to warrant a special trip to one of the 2 dozen special theaters let alone the standard 70mm presentation I saw it in. We get to see the top of his gray hat? They even lied about the “prolonged full frontal nudity”. I still recommend seeing the movie, but if you are holding out so you can see it in one of those special formats, don’t bother. You aren’t missing anything seeing it at the local multiplex. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/127 "2023-07-29T16:08:17Z")
> [@Meurglys](#): > > so we went to an old fashioned cinema showing an actual 35mil film of it. I went to a regular theater. Not IMAX. But except for “not IMAX,” how would I know what “format” they’re using? We didn’t have a break in the action, if that’s a clue. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/128 "2023-07-29T16:14:30Z")
> [@caligulathegod](#): > > I still recommend seeing the movie, but if you are holding out so you can see it in one of those special formats, don’t bother. You aren’t missing anything seeing it at the local multiplex. Yes. My father in law saw it in 15/70 yesterday and then he called me to say it’s not worth my drive to Sacto for that. And that’s why I’m giving my tix away. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/129 "2023-07-29T16:22:08Z")
So…are high-waisted pants cool again yet? 🙂 But seriously, I wonder if they’re more comfortable than today’s styles. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/130 "2023-07-29T16:30:59Z")
I’d assume you saw a normal digital screening of it, whereas the screening we saw used reels of film which needed swapped out. On UK listings it usually says beside the listing if theres anything worth mentuioning about the format - 2d, 3d, IMAX, subtitles, etc. Otherwise I’d assume a film was digital & in 2d. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/131 "2023-07-29T17:38:43Z")
Tix have been taken ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/132 "2023-07-29T19:27:43Z")
Am I the only one who nodded in agreement when Truman called Oppenheimer a cry baby? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/133 "2023-07-29T21:42:48Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I went to a regular theater. Not IMAX. But except for “not IMAX,” how would I know what “format” they’re using? We didn’t have a break in the action, if that’s a clue. Did it have the burn mark in the corner indicating the reel change? Any scratches on the film? > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Am I the only one who nodded in agreement when Truman called Oppenheimer a cry baby? Wow, not me. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/134 "2023-07-29T21:56:32Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Am I the only one who nodded in agreement when Truman called Oppenheimer a cry baby? First of all, no - that was not my reaction at all. But watching the film I had the sense that Nolan took considerable liberty with that scene. The big David McCullough biography of Truman recounts the episode in a brief, matter-of-fact way. McCullough says it was a “dreadful moment” for Truman, and in response to the ‘blood on my hands’ remark told Oppenheimer, “Let me worry about that.” He goes on to say that Truman remarked afterward he hoped he would never have to see Oppenheimer again. That suggests to me that Truman wasn’t demonstrably rude as portrayed in the movie. From what I know about Truman, I suspect he found the display of emotion from Oppenheimer embarrassing and certainly misplaced. Truman saw (correctly) the decision to use the bomb as his alone, and I think this caused him to be a bit dismissive of Oppenheimer’s regrets. But Truman wasn’t stupid and he wasn’t inhuman. I think under other circumstances he might very well have been more understanding of Oppenheimer. He himself regretted the loss of life and realized that included many civilians. But he never showed any sign of thinking he had made a bad decision about using the weapons. He felt it was necessary, case closed, and perhaps thought Oppenheimer shouldn’t have taken it personally because in the end it wasn’t his call. However, I doubt very much the scene in the film is representative of how that discussion really went. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/135 "2023-07-29T22:38:39Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > But watching the film I had the sense that Nolan took considerable liberty with that scene. Truman _did_ call Oppenheimer a crybaby in real life. It wasn’t within earshot of Oppenheimer, but I’m sure Oppenheimer understood that as a subtext of their meeting anyway. As you say, Truman viewed the decision as his alone. So for Oppenheimer to try to take on some of that guilt was viewed negatively by Truman. Which isn’t entirely wrong. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2023, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/136 "2023-07-29T23:48:54Z")
I have not seen the movie. Yet. So although I’ve read the whole thread I’ve got nothing to say on that topic. I am pleased to see we have an IMAX 15/70 nearby. With my bad ears I probably won’t much like the sound, but the visuals oughta be great. As to this: [quote="Chefguy, post:27, topic:987361"] Teller was a lunatic who thought he was a visionary when it came to the use of nuclear bombs to create harbors and move those pesky mountains that are always getting in the way. [/quote] In college I attended a nuclear policy / retrospective lecture given by Teller. This would have been about 1978. So he'd have been about 71. He was older than his age, very confident he was the smartest dude on Earth, and unshakeable in his faith that hydrogen fusion weapons were humanity’s greatest gift. IOW a loonie. A dangerous loonie. And I say that as somebody that just a few years later had the job of dropping those same weapons into Eastern Europe if necessary. Raging peacenik was never in my mental inventory. Foreign affairs & defense policy? Yes. West is best? Yes. Nuclear masturbator? No. Teller was a loonie. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/137 "2023-07-30T00:24:49Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Having beer delivered to our seats helped. I’m having a very difficult time conceiving of a situation where this _wouldn’t_ help. 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/138 "2023-07-30T00:35:53Z")
Not sure how much beer I’d want delivered to a seat while I’m strapped into it for 3 straight hours. Might make paying attention to the last hour difficult. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/139 "2023-07-30T00:52:32Z")
Surprisingly, it didn’t. I was prepared, though. Had an 8 point list on times when you could go pee without losing any plot. Just didn’t need it. A 22oz. Firestone Walker 805 didn’t even register until I got home. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2023, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361/140 "2023-07-30T07:51:09Z")
Now there’s an interesting strategy. Have a 22ozs beer before the movie. My tix were taken on Craigslist. I’m glad they’re being used by someone, and I have no idea who, instead of being wasted. Now I’m going to search for where today (and when) my wife and I will go and see it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oppenheimer-2023-christopher-nolan-film/987361.md?page=8)