Through another party? Yes.
Could we know who?
I think that would be a mistake.
I'll tell you for what reason.
Not to take this person to task in any way.
'The Trinity test and the subsequent devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
'had had a profound effect on Oppenheimer.
'At the end of the war, he had rapidly become
'a most influential government scientist.
'And he used that influence in trying to promote international control of nuclear weapons.
'The attempt was largely unsuccessful,
'but at home he then tried to resist the growth of an all-out arms race
'and the development of the H-bomb.
'In doing so,
'despite his strong position as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission's Advisory Committee.
'And as Director of the Institute
'for Advanced Study at Princeton, he had made powerful enemies.
'And in the late '40s, the Cold War and growing anti-communism
'made those with past left-wing associations increasingly vulnerable.
'Already some of his students had been summoned before the House Un-American Activities Committee
'investigating alleged Communist penetration of the war-time weapons project at Berkeley.
'On the 7th June 1949,
'Oppenheimer was summoned before a closed session of the Committee.
'With him, acting as adviser, was the chief counsel for the Atomic Energy Commission, Joseph Volpe.'
The Committee wish me to emphasise that in asking you to attend,
it is not seeking to embarrass a man of your stature whose loyalty has been vouched for many times.
As you see, we've made this
a closed session to avoid any unfortunate publicity
Now...Doctor...
You are probably acquainted with the case involving George Charles Eltenton and Haakon Chevalier.
I am familiar with some aspects.
Would you tell the Committee JUST what you know?
It was, I think, the end of '42 or the beginning of '43 that a friend, Haakon Chevalier,
in a conversation at my home in Berkeley,
mentioned a man called Eltenton who claimed to be able to contact the Soviet government.
Dr Chevalier was clearly confused and embarrassed
and I told him, most violently, to have nothing to do with it.
I should emphasise, Chevalier didn't ask me for ANY information.
I see.
This Chevalier...
Were you at ALL acquainted with his views on communism?
Well, I know he had contacts with all kinds of radical organisations,
he was interested in left-wing writers.
But all in pre-war days.
Dr Oppenheimer, may I ask,
did you report this conversation to any security officers?
I did,
first to the security officers at Berkeley,
second to Colonel Lansdale, and third to General Groves.
Thank you, sir.
Now, Doctor,
I realise this will be difficult for you, but
I'd like to ask some questions concerning your brother, Frank.
Is he currently a member of the Communist Party?
To my knowledge, he is not.
Has he ever BEEN a member of the Communist Party?
Mr Chairman, I ask you not to pursue these questions about my brother.
If they are important to you, you can ask him.
I will answer if asked, but beg you not to press this.
I withdraw the question.
And I think, Dr Oppenheimer, that is all I have to ask you.
Before we adjourn,
I'd like to say, and I'm sure I speak for all who are here,
I have noted for sometime Dr Oppenheimer's work
and I think we have all been VERY impressed by him
and are mighty glad to have him in the position
he has in our atomic programme.
Thank you.
How'd I do, Joe? Beautiful! Be-a-ut-i-ful!!
Nice words from the Congressman. Useful guy to have in our corner.
WHAT corner?
We did all right. We did!
You're one fish they're afraid to fry. What?
Oh, it's still a lousy thing.
You know, in England they'd be giving you a knighthood. Here...
Come and have lunch.
Can't, I'm meeting my wife.
Going straight to a GAC meeting. Tough one?
Strauss and the continuing saga of the radio-isotope - Chapter 99.
What's his beef? He's got the security bug.
Clamp-down on everything. However ridiculous.
Be nice to Strauss, Robert.
He's an important man.
All right, so are you! But take it easy.
Right?
Thank you. My pleasure.
Was it rough? No.
They were gentlemen. It's a goddamned nerve.
Those punks! One of them even gave a little speech! Terrific!
Can we go up to Princeton now?
I've got an AEC meeting.
Four hours of Lewis Strauss.
Do you have anything to do?
Shopping.
What for?
Sheets.
Do we need sheets?
I've no idea.
I was just thinking.
Lewis Strauss!
And what is more, Gentlemen,
I have secret information that at least one Norwegian to whom we propose shipping isotopes
is an open member of the Communist Party.
You can laugh!
Just thinking, it's bad enough the guy's foreign!
I am not being taken seriously. Admiral Strauss,
we have tried to explain. Don't patronise me.
For Christ's sake! These isotopes have no military use whatsoever.
They're used in medicine, industry. This fuss is ridiculous. Gentlemen!
I doubt we've calmed your fears at all?
You have not.
I didn't think so, but...
The Atomic Energy Commission's exported these isotopes for two years without any problem.
I think you're beating a dead horse.
May be dead. Won't lie down.
I've decided to air this matter at the Committee on Atomic Energy.
Robert, as Chairman of this General Advisory Committee,
I've asked that you be called to appear before it.
May I ask when I might be expected to attend?
You certainly may. Tuesday at 11 o'clock.
Now, if there's nothing further? No, that's it.
Good day, gentlemen.
See why we made you chairman!
Through the war I had to baby Groves, now it's Strauss,
there's no end. You've got to suffer fools gladly.
I'm suffering.
Same day as Frank goes before the Un-American Activities Committee,
the brothers Oppenheimer.
What a circus!
Your contention, Dr Oppenheimer, is that with these...
...these...er...radio-isotopes...
..um...just exactly what IS a radio-isotope?
Very simply it's the product of a nuclear reactor.
I see - nuclear reactor.
And your contention is that
there is no danger to national security in sending
these isotopes abroad? Yes.
And you would characterise such fears as...?
Foolish.
A RIPPLE THROUGH THE AUDIENCE
Foolish.
Doctor, would you care to tell the Committee
what use these radio-isotopes would have to the people we're sending them to?
They are research tools.
Medical research, Industrial, scientific.
Could they be used to create atomic energy?
No-one can force me to say that you cannot use these isotopes to produce atomic energy.
You can use a shovel for atomic energy or a bottle of beer
for atomic energy.
But to suggest that
to export these radio-isotopes would somehow encourage foreign governments
to start manufacturing atom bombs in their back yards...
AUDIENCE LAUGHS
Well, Doctor, for the record.,
just what, in your view,
is the precise, strategic military value of these isotopes?
In my view,
they're somewhat less important than electronic devices, and
somewhat more important than a bottle of vitamins.
Well...I think that's all.
Thank you for attending.
How'd I do this time? Too well, Robert, too well.
I'm tired of playing games.
Wonder how Frank's doing?
Better than this, I hope.
Professor Oppenheimer...
...I remind you that you are on oath.
Yes, sir.
Do you understand that?
I do.
Frank Friedman Oppenheimer,
are you a member of the Communist Party?
No, sir.
Have you ever been a member of the Communist Party?
Yes, sir.
I didn't hear that.
Yes.
I WAS...
..a member.
Anything to say about the University of Minnesota?
You didn't know, Frank?
They've accepted your resignation.
They really stuck it in to you.
This makes things very difficult for Robert.
I don't believe I heard that.
It'll be difficult for us, Kitty.
It's Frank's fault. Frank?
He was asked that two years ago. He lied, so they dump him now.
Jesus Christ! All right...
..but it could threaten Robert's position.
It's already destroyed Frank's.
I'm not talking about a professorship.
Kitty, one thing I've always wanted to say... Come on, Kitty.
Let's not bicker.
Let's go see the children, Kitty.
I hope it doesn't do you harm.
I should have done more for you.
What? What could you do?
I don't know.
Talk to some people.
No, you couldn't risk your position.
Can you get another job?
What do you think!
What'll you do?
We thought we'd get a place out west.
Raise sheep.
Frank, you're a physicist.
Not any more!
When they were working me over...
...that committee...
...I suddenly felt glad.
I felt relieved.
It was over.
They'd finally caught up with me.
I don't have to worry any more.
It was a B-29 - Regular flight.
Sea of Japan.
This is the sample analysis.
Sorry I'm late, General. Oppy, Rabi.
We sent out more flights immediately.
Here we picked up ten times the count rate of the original.
Here 19 times. Here 13.
These are the filter papers.
GEIGER COUNTER CHATTERS
More readings about the same.
There's no doubt, is there?
We wondered if it was traces of ours?
No, this is significant radio-activity. In the wrong place.
Where exactly was it?
Sea of Japan, day before yesterday.
If these were taken yesterday, the test was four days before that?
About that.
The President's informed? Through Admiral Strauss.
Is your business important here? It can wait. Come back to Princeton.
Thank you, General.
I'll stick with it here, Oppy.
We knew they'd get it some day.
Not this soon.
They had the know-how to build the bomb and
evidently the industrial capacity. We shouldn't be surprised.
It's not us that worries me.
Who? The President, Congress, the whole country.
There could be a panic over this.
They thought they had a monopoly for years. Well, they did.
Four years!
It's this damn secrecy mania.
No informed debate. Take it easy.
Panic and ignorance. It's a great combination.
TELEPHONE RINGS
Yes?
This is he.
No, it's not a rumour. Confirmed.
Edward, I haven't had a chance.
No.
Look, just keep your shirt on.
No.
OK.
Goodbye.
Teller?
He knows? Yes.
Very excited.
Of course, this is his big chance.
His first words were, did I think this justified a crash programme on the Super?
I told him...
'Keep your shirt on.'
Fat chance.
Good of you to come, Dr Teller.
Secretary of the Air Force, Mr Finletter.
Senator Knowland, Joint Committee on Atomic Energy
Find yourself a chair, Doctor.
I thought it a good idea in the present emergency for us to meet informally.
Get the benefit of Dr Teller's advice and expertise. I could sure use some.
This Russian test knocked me sideways.
Mail from my constituents - never seen so much. They're afraid.
I'm sure we all agree the Russian move demands a swift response.
All right - a response, but what kind of response? What can we do?
Doctor?
There is no question in my mind.
We must immediately make a huge effort to develop the hydrogen.
Now this hydrogen, this is the Super bomb, is it?
It is called that too.
All right - now, can you give some idea of this thing? What is it?
Now, look...
if we're asked to vote money for this in the Senate, it would help to know what the hell it was.
Well, I think we've a matter of classified information here, Bill.
All right - but at least give me some idea.
What's the scale of the hydrogen? Bigger than the atomic?
Of course. How much bigger? Ten times?
20?
50?
100?
Are you telling me these things are 100 times more powerful than the atomic bomb?
Than the Hiroshima bomb?
Yes, certainly.
We see no limit to its destructive power.
That's not for general circulation.
Good God, what if the Russians got hold of one?
And we don't.
Right.
All right. I'm convinced. We need this - pronto!
What's the problem? Let's get at it.
It's not as simple as all that.
You see, first it has to go before the AEC's General Advisory Committee.
And they'll make a recommendation to the President.
That's the Oppenheimer Committee?
The GAC contains several, equally distinguished scientists.
Rabi, Fermi, Manley... Come now, Doctor, Oppy runs it.
Where does he stand on this?
Lewis?
Doctor?
One is never quite sure where Oppy stands.
Is this all?
I think Fermi's coming How about Seaborg?
He had to go to Sweden. So we don't know his views?
He sent a letter. I'm trying to find it.
I'm sorry. Fermi.
I've been trying to find it. I don't think it was very helpful.
Gentlemen,
as Chairman of the General Advisory Committee I've been asked by the AEC Commissioners
to obtain the Committee's views on whether, in the light of the Soviet atomic test,
our country should embark on a crash programme leading directly to the production of a Super
or hydrogen bomb.
It's a lousy subject and a lousy job but we have to do it.
Right, let's start with the present status of the Super.
If we go for a crash programme what are the chances of success? Enrico?
The present status...
I've looked at Teller's recent work and am unimpressed.
The design is unwieldy, possibly grotesque.
Chances of success I put at no more than 50%.
Second point, with the design they're working on now,
there's a real delivery problem.
How do they get it to the target? No plane on earth could lift it.
Rockets?
It's a monstrous contraption. The refrigeration system is huge.
Well, that's absurd. We're being asked to divert resources from a successful weapons programme
to feed some project we don't even know has a chance. OK, but
the Commissioners feel, and the President feels,
and I guess I feel there should be a response to the Soviet test.
All right, Oppy, but there's an appropriate response and there's a
hysterical response.
And I just resent Teller trying to stampede us into his pet project.
I hear he's been in Washington.
Sure - talking to the Joint Chiefs hustling round the Senate.
Quite a bit of marketing he's doing. Come on, it's not just Edward.
There's Lawrence, Alvarez.
All right - all those Californians.
Sure, I believe in a response.
We should beef up our fission bomb programme.
We're way ahead of the Russians, and we can stay ahead.
With weapons we know about, and know we can deliver them.
I mean, what would we DO with one of these hydrogen bombs?
What's their capability? They're talking of a megaton.
We've already got a 500,000 tonne fission bomb in the works.
And a target for a megaton bomb? Is there a city that big in Russia?
Moscow? Leningrad?
I think Leningrad's too small.
Leningrad and suburbs.
The truth is, the goddamned truth is,
we're the ones with the really tempting targets.
New York, Chicago, Los Angeles.
Think what Teller could do to LA.
What are you saying?
I'm saying that for our own safety we should be awfully careful about giving a lead here.
The Russians built an A-bomb because we built one.
If we build a hydrogen...
Is the converse true?
If we refrain from building the hydrogen, would the Russians be encouraged to also refrain?
I think they'd like to refrain.
The A-bomb must have broken them. I can't think they'd want to spend what it'll take to make the Super.
But will they refrain?
If we set an example?
It's unknown territory.
There's one area we haven't gone into. I don't know if you'll want to go into the...
...morality of this thing.
We all had something to do with creating the atom bomb.
Some more than others.
As I recall, the question of morality wasn't raised much before Hiroshima.
It was wartime.
It was...
Anyway, I wouldn't like to think that it was passed over this time.
Perhaps it's inappropriate.
Enrico?
I'm sorry, I was...
..with your question. "Would the Russians refrain?"
You all know I have very little faith in the good intentions of the Soviets, but...
I hate the idea of this weapon.
It's wrong.
It's inhuman. It's evil.
In California I heard a new word.
Megadeath.
One million human lives.
They talk of a one megadeath bomb, two megadeath...
I would never want to see this country take the initiative in making such a vile weapon.
It may be optimistic, but if there's a chance that
by not building this thing we can influence the Russians,
I would rather take that gamble.
Rather that than 'megadeath'.
Then we feel we should not recommend a crash programme?
Right!
I'm glad.
If it'd gone the other way, I would have resigned.
It won't be a popular recommendation.
It's incredible.
Absolutely incredible.
How can intelligent men put their names to this?
"In determining not to build the Super bomb,
"we see a unique opportunity, of providing
"some limitations on the totality of war
"and thus of eliminating fear and arousing the hope in mankind."
Imagine Uncle Joe's face when he reads that...and he will.
Well, I guess it's idealism.
I HOPE it's idealism.
Careful, David.
What do you think?
I think they've got no guts.
I think they want to play being saints. I think they're ageing men who've had their day and...
...that's all.
God! If the Russians build a Super and we don't...
We will - I intend to fight this all the way.
What about the other Commissioners?
I don't know.
Well, you've got one ally.
The Air Force?
All the way.
At least the language is pretty.
Oppenheimer?
Who else?
KNOCK AT DOOR
Ah! Bill!
Now you're two fellows who ought to know each other.
Dave Griggs, scientific adviser, the Air Force.
Bill Borden, Joint Atomic Energy Committee.
A fine committee. I think we're realists.
Praise be!
I must go, Lewis. Keep in touch.
I'm afraid I interrupted you.
The cares of an AEC Commissioner!
I'm not sure how I can help you...
Well, sir, ever since Mr Truman called for a greater tightening up of security procedures,
it seemed to me this was an area I'd been neglecting.
I see.
Naturally, I'm all in favour.
But I think that here at the AEC we run a pretty tight ship.
Presumably you have your quota of sensitive cases?
Yes, one or two.
I hoped I could count on your co-operation.
You've got it, you've got it!
I was just wondering where you should begin.
Why not at the top?
I'm sorry?
Do you know Robert Oppenheimer?
I saw him when he appeared before our committee - I was impressed.
Yes, he IS impressive, isn't he?
I have a great deal of respect for Robert
and he's a close friend. I got him his job at Princeton.
A remarkable man.
Is HE a sensitive case?
Well, yes, there is a file on him.
He had quite a few unfortunate friends before the war.
He's been cleared presumably?
Oh, surely, many times.
Perhaps that wouldn't interest you after all?
No, I think he might.
It'd be somewhere to start anyway.
Right! Why don't I have his file sent up here?
I couldn't do that. No, no.
I don't use this office very much. Feel free.
I've asked a colleague to help me. That's all right, we like to
co-operate with Congress at the AEC.
You might start right there.
It's the Advisory Committee's recommendations on the H-bomb.
Oppenheimer is the chairman.
I hear we locked into an office.
They're sending up Robert Oppenheimer's file.
I'd like you to read that.
That's some file!
I've heard enough!
Yes, all right.
All right, in the kitchen. Hello, Joe!
What is it? What's going on?
Go upstairs.
Upstairs! UPSTAIRS!
You can go into your rooms and play.
What is it?
It's confidential. Cut that shit out, Robert.
Do you remember Klaus Fuchs?
Los Alamos.
The baby sitter? What about him?
He's been arrested in England.
He's a Soviet spy.
Oh, Jesus!
Well, they can't hang that on YOU.
The British brought him over, not you.
Anyway, the Russians have got the atom bomb now.
It's just spilled milk now.
He was at the early discussions on the H-bomb.
What does that mean?
I'd say it meant the ball game.
'On January 31st 1950,
'four days after the arrest of Klaus Fuchs,
'President Truman gave the go-ahead to a crash programme for building the hydrogen bomb.
'The advice of the General Advisory Committee had been ignored
'Oppenheimer's fame, as Father of the A-bomb,
'made him the biggest target for continuing attacks from victorious supporters of the hydrogen bomb.
'They celebrated at a birthday party,
'held at the AEC for Commissioner Lewis Strauss.'
To the Super! To the Super!
If I listen to much more I'll be sick!
No, I mean it, Kitty. I'll throw up!
Coming, John? OK.
Oppy? Not yet. You're a masochist!
Bye, Bob!
Ah, Doctor. No hard feelings, I hope? I'm sorry?
The verdict went against you, but I hope one day you'll see it was for the best.
You haven't met my wife, Kitty - Secretary of the Air Force, Mr Finletter. Hello! How do you do?
We've had quite a battle with your husband, but
now, I hope, we can all get behind the President.
The Commander-in-chief has spoken. So he has.
Well, what's your response?
I guess there can only be one response, Mr Secretary...
Yes?
'Moritori te salutamus'.
Yes...well...
That's it.
One day you'll wise-crack us right over the edge.
Keep your voice down.
'We, who are about to die, salute you'.
That's what the gladiators said. Son of a bitch!
TELEVISION: My answer to these charges...
DOOR BELL ..is short, simple and direct.
I am not and never
have been disloyal - I am not and never have been a Communist.
I am not and never have been...
What are you doing in the dark?
I am not and never have been a supporter of, a member of, or a sympathiser with
any organisation known to me to be
or suspected by me of being controlled or dominated by Communists.
Thank you, Kitty.
CROWD SING A MCCARTHY SONG
Such nonsense.
You're not a McCarthy fan, Edward? No, I'm not.
Thank you for seeing me.
You're always welcome.
You know why I'm here?
You're recruiting for Los Alamos. I did it myself in '43.
Will you help me? Help you? Recommend some good people.
Oh! Sure. Sure... I'll recommend some people.
You won't encourage them.
I'll say you pay well, the climate's good.
You won't DIScourage them now?
When did I do that?
Bethe. Hans? I don't follow.
After the Soviet test Hans promised to help me on the Super
Then he said he wouldn't come, after talking to YOU.
I don't remember that. You did do IT.
I may have. So you discouraged him.
I may have given an opinion. What of it?
He can make up his own mind.
You see, here is my problem with you, Oppy.
I know I am right.
There's no question.
We had to develop the hydrogen.
Any intelligent man could see it, so why don't YOU see it?
It's possible for two people to disagree...
Please, Oppy, high school ethics! It's life and death of nations.
I'm aware of that. But you're wrong.
Did you really believe
if we didn't build the Super the Russians wouldn't?
I thought it was worth trying.
And you weren't afraid?
Have you ever met George Keenan?
State Department. Knows a lot about the Soviets.
He says the Russians are deathly afraid of war after the last one.
If they have any plans to expand it won't be through great wars,
it'll be gradual, by internal subversion,
and small wars around the periphery.
Africa.
Latin America.
Indo-China.
What I was afraid of...
What I am afraid of...
...is that all our resources will go on the hydrogen
and we won't be able to deal with anything but total war.
As far as makes any difference, we'll have no conventional forces, air defence nor tactical weapons
We'll be able to bomb Moscow.
And do nothing else.
That's what I'm afraid of.
We'll have both - big and small. Attack and defence.
Of course we can have both. Not with this thing of yours.
It'll be insatiable.
And good God, Edward, it's a monster!
How are you even going to deliver it? In an ox-cart?
You knew we would improve on that prototype.
When? Now.
Now.
Things are happening.
But even if we could have both, big weapons and small...
...would you change on the Super?
I think it's evil.
High school ethics.
I don't understand you, Oppy.
You're not required to.
I should like to.
Ah, Oppy...
Come out to Los Alamos.
We should work together, you and I, we should.
Look, we're the only ones who really count. The only ones.
Edward!! But it's true!
You won't come?
And you won't stop fighting?
Will I keep my mouth shut?
No, I won't do that.
When's your next pronouncement?
I am coming to Los Alamos, just to give a talk.
It might interest you. What about?
Educating the public. And government.
Oh, boy!
You want to see the whole country become a big Oppenheimer seminar!
And everybody's talking and arguing and learning and having such a wonderful time.
We won't notice the Russians beating us to the Super by a mile.
You'd rather they stuck to that? Oh, Oppy...
Come out to Los Alamos early and stay with us.
I'm expected on the Coast.
Project Vista?
Some people are still interested in my views.
Have you really improved on the Super?
Yes.
We've had a real breakthrough.
Tell me.
I've been working closely with Stan Ulan for months and we couldn't get anywhere.
We had our fusion mixture, deuterium and tritium,
and we had the fission trigger
But with the high energy created at fission, we knew it would blow apart the fusion system before...
Predetonation. Precisely!
Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
We tried to make it into a solid
to avoid that vast cooling system that I know appalled Fermi.
Go ahead, Edward.
Oppy, it's so simple!
It was criminal we didn't see it.
We had assumed that the energies created in the fission were transformed into heat,
which is quite a slow process. But it's not so!
No? NO, at that temperature most of the energy is emitted as X-rays! X-rays? X-rays!!
Which travel at the speed of light.
Precisely! Fast enough to avoid predetonation.
As soon as we saw it,
it was just basic maths.
It's a most elegant, efficient...
...thermo-nuclear weapon.
That's beautiful!
Yes.
I am calling for greater candour.
We do not operate well when the important facts,
the essential conditions which limit our choices, are unknown.
We do not operate well when they are known in secrecy and in fear, by only a few men.
An example may illustrate what I mean.
A high officer of the Air Defence Command
said only a few months ago in a most serious discussion of the defence of the United States,
said it was our policy to try to protect our striking force,
but that it wasn't really our policy to protect this country,
for that is so big a job that it would interfere with our retaliatory capabilities.
Such follies can occur only when the men who know the facts can find no-one to discuss them with,
when the facts are too secret for discussion, and thus for thought.
The prevailing view is that we are probably faced with a long period of cold war.
The atomic clock ticks faster.
Two great powers will each be in a position to destroy the life and civilisation of the other,
but not without risking its own.
We may be likened to two scorpions in a bottle.
Each capable of killing the other,
but only at the risk of his own life.
In this prospect,
we shall need all the help and wisdom and resourcefulness we can muster.
We need to be clear that there will not be many atomic wars
for us, nor our institutions.
It is important that there not be one.
I've got to see Finletter. Yes.
This can't go on. If you're thinking of trying to bully Oppy, you won't win.
There are other ways, David.
That's it. Screw him.
Tom! It's worth it.
It might just be that a clear warning will do the job.
He has a right to that, you know. It's worth five more minutes
I'm sorry. The traffic... Ah, Robert! It doesn't matter.
Now, I want your verdict on this.
Robert's quite a connoisseur.
Well?
Fine, fine.
Now, gentlemen, this is an occasion I've long waited for.
It always saddens me when two men who ought to be friends are divided by day-to-day controversy.
And Tom, Robert,
I do believe that you two are the kind of fellows, who, given the chance, would like each other.
Well, Doctor, I certainly think we should stop throwing punches.
I wasn't aware of throwing any.
The Vista report was a good shot.
I wrote the draft for one chapter of that report.
Which tried to undermine SAC.
I beg your pardon?
I thought I spoke clearly. Which tried to undermine SAC.
I have great respect for the Air Command.
Now you're sneering.
Please don't tell me what I'm thinking.
Gentlemen, gentlemen,...
Robert, in the Air Force there's a feeling that SAC didn't get a fair shake from Vista.
The accent, and I don't say it's all your fault, is on air defence.
I happen to believe that as well as trying to figure out ways to bomb Russian cities,
we should spend a little time and effort and money working out how to stop them bombing ours.
I'm not alone in thinking that.
It is not your first attempt to harm SAC.
What else?
You tried to stop the Super.
I tried to prevent you wasting time on the original design.
Teller's new design I don't quarrel with.
I can't.
It's too sweet.
You said the Super's evil.
Do you think it's lovable?
All right, Doctor, I'll tell you what's on my mind.
I have nothing against honest disagreement, but I would urge you not to peddle false rumours.
You'll have to explain that.
You made a speech at Los Alamos.
Mr Griggs at the front, I recall.
Yes, now, he tells me it contained a story suggesting
it is not our policy to defend this country from enemy bombers.
Yes. That's a lie.
I don't think so - I had it from an unimpeachable source.
It's a lie.
I'd go further.
It's a treasonous lie.
Thank you, Lewis. For the wine.
No, Lewis, you were wrong.
I don't like him one bit.
It can't go on. No.
He must be stopped.
He leaves the AEC soon. His term is up.
I mean his INFLUENCE must be stopped.
Are you going to stop this? All right, Mr Griggs.
You may not understand, but I have a point of view, and a right to advance it. I have a duty.
Just who do you have a duty TO?
What are you saying?!
Spit it out - you think I'm pro-Russian? Is that it?
Say it! I wish I knew.
All right, Mr Griggs.
As you like labelling people,
well, here's one for you.
I think you're paranoid.
The Chevalier business.
That's what gets me.
You have a guy who's asked by another guy - in time of war -
to supply information to a foreign government.
He reported it. Sure - six months later.
Still he reported it, and the other guy was a good friend.
I can see where personal loyalties would make you hesitate.
No, it's the later stuff that gets me.
All this moralising about the H-bomb, And not a trace of it when he was asked about the A-bomb.
What's the change?
The A-bomb killed over 100,000 people, Bill.
That could change a man's mind if he had made it.
No - I'll tell you what the change is.
It's the target.
The A-bombs were aimed at Japan. Germany.
No problem - bombs away!
But the hydrogen...
Goes to Russia.
Not if Oppy can help it.
What is this? Dr Oppenheimer? Yes, and this is my home.
I have orders to remove all Atomic Energy Commission files, sir, for safe keeping.
Have you got that in writing?
Lewis Strauss.
I spoke to him this morning.
He said nothing.
He said nothing about this.
All right.
May I have my orders, ma'am?
I didn't volunteer, Doctor.
This is awful.
Can't you call somebody?
Don't worry. Don't worry?
What's going to happen to us?
What?
I don't know.
Nothing.
I don't know.
Go upstairs. No.
'In the winter of 1953,
'the Oppenheimers escaped the worsening atmosphere in the United States by going to Europe.
'After stopping in London to give the BBC's Reith lectures,
'Oppenheimer and Kitty had gone to Paris,
'where his old friend
'Haakon Chevalier and his new wife were living.'
Here's your wedding present. Oh, how thoughtful.
I hope you like it. I'll love it!
Oh! How lovely, look, darling!
Where's it from? Virgin Islands. I think it's mahogany.
I've been telling Carol about the famous salads you mixed at Berkeley.
God, they had everything!
Passion fruit. Apricots. Melons.
They looked so cool and inviting.
Then you had a mouthful. Hot as hell!
What else did you put in?
A little Cayenne pepper. A touch of gunpowder.
Thank you both very much.
Thank you.
When you come to Princeton, I'll mix you something unforgettable.
Both of you. That won't be soon,
from what we hear about the situation. It's unbelievable.
Yep.
I gather they're roasting you somewhat?
Christ! At the hairdresser's you pick up a magazine, inside some general is pulling Robert apart.
I remember "Ten Ways To Find A Husband".
Now, "The Guilty Men In Our Government".
That bad? Hideous!
But you have your troubles too?
Oh...the endless saga.
I thought I'd be safe over here working for Unesco.
But I'm beginning to feel a cool breeze.
From Unesco? From the US Embassy.
The way I get it is if I want to keep my job,
I have to renounce my citizenship.
I don't want to do that.
Every now and then I have a friendly visit from the FBI.
They're still buzzing on about what happened in the '30s and '40s.
Remember George Eltenton?
They seemed to think there was a conspiracy.
Confusion to our enemies!
It's such an awful world.
I'll say!
It's an awful country.
Robert, do you have to go back?
You could be an honoured man here.
Un grand maitre!
I couldn't live outside the US.
Why not?
It's the centre of the world.
What? You mean power? Wealth?
I didn't think you cared about all that.
You haven't seen him in ten years.
Power...
..is very interesting.
See what I mean?
But I was thinking about science mostly.
When I was young we had to come over here to learn REAL science.
This is where the masters were.
Now...
..the world comes to us.
We are the masters. It's grand!
I tell you! He's the most all-American boy I know!
Living over here, you realise temporary it all is.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
All right, all right, but...
...these people, I mean, they had Napoleon once.
Now nine out of ten couldn't tell you who's the newest Prime Minister!
'Earth's shadows pass...'
Don't laugh! Look at him! He won't renounce his citizenship.
One more provocation from J Edgar Hoover and...
We must go back.
But not looking forward to it?
Oh, God, no!
We're not looking forward to it.
Well?
I think so. I think he's guilty.
It's funny.
After all that I don't think he is.
Not guilty? No.
Wish I felt the same.
I think he's arrogant, I think his judgment is often faulty, I think he's probably done a lot of harm.
But I don't think he's guilty.
Did you see the latest FBI report?
In Paris the first person he sees... Chevalier!
...is the man he says tried to make him commit treason.
I said I thought he was arrogant.
It WAS arrogant, but he knows he's under suspicion.
But I still don't think he's guilty.
I do.
What are you saying exactly?
I'm saying...
..that I think...
..on balance...
..it's more probable than not that Robert Oppenheimer is a Soviet agent
Be careful... Listen, the British are riddled with them.
Do you really think we're immune?
What are you going to do about it?
You can't just sit on it.
I guess I'll have to write a letter.
I'll leave you to it.
'William Borden sent his letter to FBI Director, J Edgar Hoover.
'In it, he accused Oppenheimer of being, in all probability, a Soviet agent.
'In the tense atmosphere created by McCarthyism,
'President Eisenhower was so alarmed that he directed that
'"a blank wall", as he called it, be put between Oppenheimer and all secret information.
'Unknown to Oppenheimer, his security clearance was revoked,
'only to be reinstated when Borden's charges had been fully and satisfactorily investigated'.