Oppenheimer

- -

Dr. Oppenheimer.

Dr. Oppenheimer.

As we begin, I believe you have a statement to read into the record.

Yes, Your Honor.

We're not judges, Doctor.

No.

Of course.

Members of the security board.

The so-called and derogatory information in your indictment of me

cannot be fairly understood,

except in the context of my life and my work.

How long did he testify?

Honestly, I forget.

The whole hearing took a month.

An ordeal.

I've only read the transcripts, but...

Who'd want to justify their whole life?

- You weren't there? - As chairman, I wasn't allowed to be.

Are they really going to ask about it?

It was years ago.

- Four years ago. - Five.

Oppenheimer still divides America.

The committee is gonna want to know where you stood.

Senator Thurmond asked me to say not to feel that you're on trial.

Aw. Funny, I didn't till you just said that.

Really, Mr. Strauss--

It's Admiral.

Admiral Strauss. This is a formality.

President Eisenhower has asked you to be in his cabinet.

Senate really has no choice but to confirm you.

And if they bring up Oppenheimer?

When they bring up Oppenheimer, you answer honestly.

No senator can deny you did your duty.

It'll be uncomfortable.

Who'd want to justify their whole life?

Why did you leave the United States?

I, uh, wanted to study the new physics.

Was there nowhere here?

I thought Berkeley had the leading theoretical physics department.

Yes. Once I had built it.

But first I had to go to Europe.

I went to Cambridge to study under Patrick Blackett.

Were you happier there than in America?

- Happier? - Yes.

No.

No, I, uh...

I was homesick, um,

emotionally immature,

troubled by visions of a hidden universe.

Useless in the lab.

Christ, Oppenheimer.

Have you had any sleep?

Start again.

I need to go to the lecture, sir.

Why?

It's Niels Bohr.

I'd completely forgot.

All right. Let's go.

Oh, no, not you, Oppenheimer. You finish coating those plates.

Quantum physics is not a step forward.

It is a new way to understand reality.

Einstein's opened the door.

Now we are peering through, seeing a world inside our world.

A world of energy and paradox that not everyone can accept.

- Yeah-- Are you all right? -

Niels, meet J. Robert Oppenheimer.

What's the J stand for?

Nothing, apparently.

You were at my lecture. You asked the only good question.

No one's denying his insight.

It's his laboratory work that leaves a little to be desired.

I heard you give the same lectu--

At Harvard, yes, and you asked the same question.

Why ask again?

Hadn't liked your answer.

Did you like it better yesterday?

A lot.

You can lift the stone without being ready for the snake that's revealed.

Now it seems you're ready.

But you don't enjoy the lab?

So get out of Cambridge with its beakers and potions.

Go somewhere they'll let you think.

Where?

Göttingen.

- Born. - Born.

Get to Germany. Study under Max Born.

Learn the ways of theory.

I'll send word.

- Wormhole. -

How's your mathematics?

Not good enough for the physicist he wants to be.

Algebra's like sheet music.

The important thing isn't "can you read music?"

It's "can you hear it?"

Can you hear the music, Robert?

Yes, I can.

The senator from Wyoming.

Admiral Strauss,

I'm interested in your relationship with Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer.

You met him in 1947?

Correct.

You were commissioner of the Atomic Energy Commission?

I was, but I actually met Robert in my capacity as board member

of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton,

because after the war he was world renowned

as the great man of physics,

and I was determined to get him to run the Institute.

Dr. Oppenheimer. An honor.

Mr. Strauss.

It's pronounced "straws."

Oh-ppenheimer, Oppenheimer.

Whatever way you say it, they know I'm Jewish.

I'm president of Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan.

"Straws" is just the Southern pronunciation.

Anyway, welcome to the Institute.

I think you could be very happy here.

Yes, well, you'll love the commute.

The position comes with that house for you and your wife,

and your-- Is it two children?

Yes, two.

I'm a great admirer of your work.

And you're a physicist by training, Mr. Strauss?

I'm sorry, common room, four o'clock tea.

No, I'm not trained in physics or anything else.

I'm a self-made man.

- Ah. I can relate to that. - Really?

Yes, my father was one.

And this would be your office.

I'm told he's there most afternoons.

You know, I've always wondered

why you didn't involve him in the Manhattan Project.

Greatest scientific mind of our time.

Of his time.

Einstein published his Theory of Relativity

more than 40 years ago now.

But never embraced the quantum world it revealed.

"God doesn't play dice."

Precisely.

You never thought of studying physics formally, Mr. Strauss?

I had offers, but I chose to sell shoes.

Lewis Strauss was once a lowly shoe salesman.

No, just a shoe salesman.

I'd love to introduce you.

No need.

I have known him for years.

Albert.

What was that?

What did you say to him?

Oh, he's fine.

Mr. Strauss, there are things in my past you ought to be aware of.

Well, as chairman of the AEC, I have access to your security file.

I've read it.

- You're not worried? - No.

Why would I be worried after everything you've done for your country?

Well, times change, Mr. Strauss.

Well, the purpose of this institute

is to provide a haven for independent minds.

That's you.

You are the man for the job.

Well, then I'll consider it.

I'll see you at the AEC meeting tomorrow.

This is one of the most prestigious appointments in the country.

Yes, with a great commute.

That's why I'm considering it.

So, Dr. Oppenheimer brought your attention to his past associations

before you appointed him?

- Yes. - And they didn't concern you?

Just then I was entirely consumed with what he must have said to Einstein

- to sour him on me. -

But later?

Well, we all know what happened later.

Doctor, your time in Europe,

you seemed to meet with a wide range of other countries' physicists.

Yes, that's right.

Any Russians?

None that spring to mind.

If you'll just allow me to continue with my statement--

Mr. Robb, you'll have ample opportunity to cross-examine.

After Göttingen, I moved on to Leiden in Holland,

where I first met Isidor Rabi.

Excuse me.

A Yank, lecturing on the new physics?

This I have to hear.

I'm an American myself.

How surprising.

Let me know if you need any help with the English.

Wait, what's he saying?

No, thank you.

It's a long way to Zurich.

You get any skinnier, we're gonna lose you between the seat cushions.

I'm Rabi.

Oppenheimer.