‘Einstein & the Bomb’ presented by Netflix is a documentary exploring Albert Einstein’s relationship with Hitler, Germany, & the atomic bomb. The movie gives a peek into the most famous physicist grappling onto the moral conundrum after his theory of relativity was used for creating the atomic bomb.
‘Einstein & The Bomb’ comes at a time when Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ touched upon Einstein & Oppenheimer’s relationship surrounding the atomic bomb.
Combining archive & acting scenes, the film explores key points in Einstein’s life, & how his work changed the course of history. The film explores conflicts with Hitler & the Nazi establishment, reenacting the incidents that led Einstein to believe that the Nazis were developing atomic weapons. His fear led him to write a letter to President Roosevelt suggesting the US should start its own nuclear program. It was reported years later that he regretted signing the letter. Einstein said: “I’ve made one great mistake in my life. Had I known the Germans would not succeed in producing an atomic bomb, I would not have taken part in opening that Pandora’s box.”
Aidan McArdle plays the role of Einstein. The hair & makeup nailed the physical aspect of his role, & his acting was earnest, & honest.
What I liked most about this documentary: the archive footage (pictures, videos, & letters) of Einstein, verbatim voice-overs and direct quotes by Einstein. The film does a great job in using Einstein’s quotes to show his exceptionally intelligent mind & to paint a coherent image of his pacifism. The script is clear & focused keeping the source material in mind with no sensationalism or dramatizations.
The movie is well-edited and packs a ton of information in a short runtime while keeping the audience engaged throughout.
The cinematography is fantastic, & the recreated scenes give you a glimpse into what must have transpired in that era.
The film ends on a strong note, with a message from Einstein to the audience: “The fate of mankind hinges entirely on man’s moral development.” Go watch Einstein & the Bomb on Netflix now. I highly recommend it!
