Einstein and the Bomb

Have you seen "Oppenheimer" yet? It helps to have seen it before this docuseries. It's a commitment of time (3 hours), but worth it, with amazing performances all around and a whole bunch of new knowledge learned.

This new docudrama on Netflix is a good complement to the movie, and in a trim 1h15m, dives into more detail about Einstein and his place in the firmament of history with regard to the invention of the atomic bomb. Of course, it's not going to paint the entire picture in a short time, but does add some good color about Einstein's conflicted conscience on what he helped unleash, however small his role may have been.

Imagine stepping into the shoes of Albert Einstein, the iconic physicist, during the tumultuous years leading up to World War II. That's what "Einstein and the Bomb" offers, promising a glimpse into the man behind the genius. While it might not be a deep historical dive for some, it delivers a unique and thought-provoking journey through a pivotal moment in human history.

From the very first scene, the series pulls you in with its immersive atmosphere. The music, while not the starring attraction, deserves recognition for its powerful and evocative melodies that perfectly complement the narrative's emotional weight. Aiden McArdle's portrayal of Einstein is also a worth mention, capturing the essence of the scientist with nuance. The supporting cast also adds depth and believability to the historical figures portrayed.

But what truly sets "Einstein and the Bomb" apart is its storytelling approach. Weaving in Einstein's actual words through letters, speeches, and recordings, the miniseries creates an intimacy that traditional narration often lacks. We're not just observers; we're invited directly into Einstein's mind, experiencing his complex inner world firsthand. This unique perspective adds a layer of emotional resonance that makes the historical events all the more impactful.

While not an exhaustive historical analysis, the show effectively connects the dots, offering viewers a clear understanding of the complex events leading up to the development of the Atomic Bomb. It might not satisfy history buffs seeking a deep dive, but for those open to a more personal and emotional exploration, "Einstein and the Bomb" succeeds.

Ultimately, the verdict depends on what you're looking for. If you seek a purely academic examination of historical events, this might not be your top choice. However, if you're open to an immersive and emotive exploration of Einstein's life and beliefs, with a captivating atmosphere and strong performances, "Einstein and the Bomb" offers a valuable and thought-provoking journey. It's a symphony of history and humanity, conducted by the unique voice of Albert Einstein himself.

This documentary combines archive footage and acted scenes to show parts of Albert Einstein's life and thinking, using his own words. This is the part I liked most about this film: in the acted scenes and the voice-overs, exclusively verbatim quotes by Einstein are being used. No invented dramatizations. The documentary does a good job in using Einstein's quotes to show his beautiful and exceptionally intelligent mind and to paint a coherent image of the his pacifist and internationalist convictions.

However, you might be disappointed if you are expecting more insights into Einstein's connection to the development of the atomic bomb. Contrary to what the title promises, there is very little content on that matter, beyond a reference to the Einstein-Szilard letter, his motives for signing said letter and his posterior regrets. Actually, only the last third of the film even touches upon these questions. For the larger part, it shows Einstein's life in the 20s and 30s, interlaced with the rise of the Nazis and World War II. It does not contain more insights on the development of the atomic bomb and Manhattan Project than does Oppenheimer and it does not show his private life in the way season 1 of Genius does.

The acted scenes mostly take part in Roughton, Norfolk, where Einstein was offered refuge in September 1933 by MP Oliver Locker-Lampson after fleeing Germany. The reason for focusing on that relatively minor episode of his life may be that this is a British production which wished to highlight the one relevant connection of Einstein with the UK.

In some scenes, Einstein seems oddly mute, which presumably has to do with the decision to only use documented quotes, so no small talk is possible. As in other documentaries, such as in Genius, the producers (annoyingly) decided to let the acted Einstein speak only English (with German accent), even when he speaks to other Germans, rather than have him also speak his native German language.

The film ends on a strong note, with two message to us contemporary viewers. "The fate of mankind hinges entirely on man's moral development." - "Dear posterity, if you have not become more just or peaceful and generally more rational than we are or were, then may the devil take you."

This was average at best. I wouldn't call it a documentary. It was a drama with some documentary film added in to try and give it some clout. Made to try and capitalise off the renewed interest in the subject thanks to Oppenheimer, you can tell Netflix rushed out to create anything it could with predictable results. The bomb isn't even mentioned until about 30mins remaining and nothing new or interesting is depicted. Letters are portrayed in person just to try and dramatise the exchange. If the purpose of this was to inform and/or entertain, it did neither. So as far as I'm concerned it's not worth watching.

There are definitely much better documentaries out there on either Einstein or the bomb, but combining both is really not practical. Einstein's miracle year was in 1905, way before the A-bomb. He wrote his four papers. The first one gave him the Noble Prize and opened the door to Quantum Mechanics (QM). The forth gave us E=MC^2; at the time he had no idea where this would lead to. The problem with the documentary is that there is no Einstein and the Bomb; there's plenty of Einstein and QM (Photoelectric Effect), Einstein and LASER, Einstein and Gravity, Einstein and Differential Geometry. As for the bombs' development and use, there's Oppenheimer and the Bomb or Politicians, Their Decisions and the Bomb. Other than that, it's a good watch if you're a fan of the guy.