With the release of director Christopher Nolan’s biographical thrillerOppenheimernow imminent, an interview with the real J. Robert Oppenheimer has been unearthed and finds the theoretical physicist pondering the ramifications of his invention several decades later. In this interview withCBS Newsfrom back in 1965, Oppenheimer continues to come to terms with the Manhattan Project and his part in the creation of the atomic bomb. You can watch the interview with J. Robert Oppenheimer below.
“The ending of the war by this means, certainly cruel, was not undertaken lightly,” Oppenheimer says in the footage. “But I am not, as of today, confident that a better course was then open. I have not a very good answer to this question.” Attempting to explain the reasoning behind the use of the bomb, Oppenheimer seems somewhat torn over whether the right decision was made even all these years later. The interview reveals a brilliant man who is also complex, and deeply flawed, with the interviewer pointing out that he and others seem to suffer from “a bad conscience” about their invention.
In response, Oppenheimer says, “when you play a meaningful part in bringing about the death of over a hundred thousand people and the injury of a comparable number, you naturally don’t think of that as with ease.”
Ultimately, however, Oppenheimer believes that they had “a great cause to do this,” but that he and the other scientists are guilty of sin. Though not because of the deaths, but the pride that came with changing the course of history. “We had known the sin of pride. We had turned to effect in what proved to be a major way the course of man’s history. We had the pride of thinking we knew what was good for man. And I do think it is left to mark on many of those who were responsibly engaged. This is not the natural business of a scientist.”
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Oppenheimer Has Been Hailed a Masterpiece
Audiences will soon be able to watch the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer come to life on the big screen thanks to director Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimer.Chronicling the life of Oppenheimer, the man who became known as the “father of the atomic bomb,” and based on the bookAmerican Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimerby Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin,Oppenheimerfinds Cillian Murphy in the lead as titular scientist.
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan,Oppenheimerhas amassed an all-star cast alongside Murphy, including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, and Kenneth Branagh.
Oppenheimerhas been hailed as a masterpiece by many critics, withMovieWeb’s own Julian Romanconcluding, “Christopher Nolan explores the life, controversial legacy, and significant scientific contributions of J. Robert Oppenheimer in a tense, superbly-acted biopic. It is a masterclass in character development and film editing.”
Oppenheimeris scheduled to be theatrically released on July 09, 2025, by Universal Pictures.
